In a special Democratic primary on Tuesday, the top aide and endorsed successor to a current state representative will compete against a former state legislator who boasts of his longtime connections to the area.
In House District 40 in western Orange County, a largely Democratic seat that encompasses portions of Orlando and Ocoee, Travaris McCurdy and RaShon Young are vying to replace departing state Representative LaVon Bracy Davis. In order to compete in the concurrent special Senate election for the seat previously occupied by the late Geraldine Thompson, who passed away in February, Bracy Davis is stepping down.
In the general election on September 2, the victor of the Democratic primary will compete against Republican Tuan Le of Titusville and write-in candidate Christopher Hall of Tallahassee.
Before being elected to the state House in 2020, McCurdy, 41, of Orlando, a graduate of Florida A&M University and Olympia High School, worked as a legislative assistant to Thompson, the brother of Bracy Davis, and former state Sen. Randolph Bracy. He lost to former state representative Bruce Antone in a 2022 Democratic primary following redistricting.
McCurdy stated, “We need someone who is ready right now.” I’ve performed the job, so I don’t need to prepare. I have remained active in this town, in this district, where I grew up, even after I left the Legislature. I don’t have to tell the district about myself.
Young, who turns 26 on Sunday, attended Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and South Carolina high school before joining Bracy and Bracy Davis’ campaigns. Bracy Davis, who supported him to succeed her on the day she began her Senate candidacy, now has him as her chief of staff.
“I am familiar with House District 40, its problems, and its possibilities,” Young stated. The family that live in this district and the community groups that operate there are not new to me. Reintroducing me to the Florida Legislature is not necessary. Since I have been employed by this community for the past four years, I don’t require a new introduction.
The high expense of living in Florida was cited by both candidates as a major issue.
According to McCurdy, he was running because Florida residents cannot afford to live there.
According to McCurdy, the state is in disarray when it comes to safeguarding public education, assisting educators, offering staff and student services, mental health services, supportive services, and appropriate funding. The state of affordable housing is dire.
Additionally, McCurdy claimed that rising home insurance rates are ruining people. I think Citizens, the state-run insurer of last resort, is overburdened, and we should take all necessary steps to strengthen or lessen Citizens property insurance.
According to Young, the biggest problem facing Floridians and residents of House District 40 is home affordability.
According to Young, we must guarantee that renters and tenants have their own rights and safeguards.
Citing Republican governors who declined to expand Medicaid in Florida and possible program cuts in Washington, he stated that healthcare access is the other key issue. He is advocating for increased state funding for community health clinics.
According to Young, you cannot be great if others are having trouble affording their prescription drugs. If our seniors are forced to choose between meals and medications, you cannot be great.
Although they appeared dubious, neither candidate explicitly rejected Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to do away with property taxes.
According to Young, such a concept might be feasible and achievable. Simply said, I believe that some intelligent, progressive discussions regarding the long-term effects it might have on our communities are necessary.
McCurdy expressed interest in learning all the specifics of DeSantis’ proposal. On the surface, that sounds fantastic, but if taxes are being eliminated someplace, we will have less money for certain programs and services.
There were conflicting responses to Orlando state senator Carlos Guillermo Smith’s plan to redirect a portion of tourist tax revenue toward infrastructure rather than marketing and other tourism-related activities.
Florida’s Sadowski Fund, a designated source of funding for affordable housing, is still being raided by lawmakers for other purposes, according to McCurdy. He therefore objects to proposals that would take funds from the tourist tax away from its declared use.
We must put in the effort and establish a dedicated financing source if the state wishes to support infrastructure upgrades, road improvements, and water quality improvement, McCurdy stated. It simply doesn’t make sense to demand one set of regulations for one issue while denying another one the same treatment.
According to Young, he has a broad concept of what makes tourism beneficial, and infrastructure is one example. You want to feel comfortable when visiting the Central Florida area, don’t you? “Young said.” You don’t want to get frustrated when you hit a pothole and have a flat tire in the rental automobile.
Leading a sit-in on the state House floor in 2022 to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redistricting designs, which removed a Black majority congressional seat in North Florida, was one of McCurdy’s most well-known acts while in government. For over an hour, McCurdy and state representative Angie Nixon of Jacksonville brought the House to a standstill with speeches, We Shall Overcome, and Stop the Black Attack T-shirts. In the end, the maps were accepted.
According to Young, some people felt that McCurdy’s demonstration in 2022, when he staged his sit-in on the house’s floor, was disrespectful to everyone and the institution. I can assure you that he will not have the chance to be effective because some of the individuals who were in the Legislature back then are now in leadership positions.
“It was important for me to turn the light on some of the negative things that were happening in Tallahassee,” McCurdy said in defense of his protest.
“Yes, I took an oath to do my job, and I used that opportunity to let people at home know that,” McCurdy added. I hope the other members of the Legislature had the audacity to carry out their duties and not hand them over to the executive branch.
On Tuesday, District 40 polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
