Today’s episode features my very first repeat Orlando Lady Boss, Anna Eskamani. In January of 2017, we were just off an emotional and hard 2016 election. Anger and tensions were high and Anna represented Planned Parenthood of central Florida and we talked why it was so important to get involved with issues you care about and how to join the resistance.

Since that interview, Anna is one of many women in America that decided to run for office and she is doing it through grassroots efforts. Since she announced her run for Florida State House District Seat 47, her team has knocked on 22,000 doors right here in Orlando to talk to constituents, learn what they care about, and to get out the vote.

Anna’s campaign has gotten a lot of attention nationally. She was on the cover of Time Magazine last year and this year her run was highlighted in the Crooked Media Podcast The Wilderness about where the democratic party is headed after the 2016 loss.

What I’m trying to say is Anna is one of those women you need to pay attention to and it’s been such an honor to get to know her better.

Because Anna is a such a busy woman, I was so honored she was willing to take some time out of her busy day to talk to me all about her campaign, why she ran, and why it is so so important to get out and vote on November 6th in the midterm elections.

Anna’s dedication to service lead to her decision to run for the Florida House of Representatives

After the 2016 election cycle, Anna knew things needed to change but knew nothing would if the right people wouldn’t stand up and run. Because her deep roots in Orlando, her connection to the community, and her experience with Planned Parenthood and the issues in Tallahassee, Anna felt she was uniquely qualified to effect change. So she decided to run for State House because it was where she felt she could affect the most change.

Anna has been listening to the Orlando community for years and continues to do so as she runs. “You learn about our community in such a powerful way. You learn about what their triumphs are what their tragedies are and what keeps them up at night,” Anna told me.

All that listening has helped Anna hear the main concerns from constituents. They care about better public education and protections around the environment. Florida House District 47 residents also want health care protections which include Medicare expansion and more access for preexisting conditions.

In addition, Anna is also unapologetically vocal about her position to ban assault rifles and the need for stronger gun protection. She sites how the Night Club Pulse’s presence in district 47 is a reminder to voters on this important issue.

After listening to her constituents for the first year of her campaign, she launched Anna’s Opportunity Agenda which includes 13 policy areas she wants to concentrate on. “Issues are complicated and voters are smart,” she told me.

That’s why Anna wants to put up as much information about where she stands for whoever asks about issues that are important to them. If something isn’t covered in the Opportunity Agenda, Anna makes sure to blog about the issues as she is asked.

The 2018 midterm elections have a lot at stake

“This election is setting a standard of who we are as Americans and are we going to continue with the status quo or are we going to challenge that,” Anna told me.

Anna stresses that there is a lot on the line for women specifically. With everything in the news from the #metoo movement to the Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh hearing, there are a lot of messages about who we value as people. Much of those messages about how we treat and respond to women have played out in Anna’s own election. Because the Republican party can’t actually win on issues, they turn to fear mongering, hypocritical attack ads, and hateful rhetoric.

The attack ads that Anna has seen made towards her have many sexist undertones in order to paint Anna as a woman who shouldn’t be trusted because of her out of line behavior

Ok, let me roll my eyes here for a moment.

So what’s the problem. Anna said Fuck the Patriarchy and she’s been heard saying the word…gasp…pussy!

These are words we are literally hearing from the highest men in office, men that Republican candidates voted for, but they use the same exact language in their attack ads against Anna. This trend has followed other women who are running for office in all levels of politics this year too.

However, Anna always expected the Republican party of Florida to invest this type of money into a smear campaign against any liberal candidate. She knew it would be part of the risk of running.  That’s why she knew “you have to tell your story before others try to tell it for you,” she told me.

Anna wants to keep doors and conversations open even when people disagree with her

Attack ads like the ones Anna has combated are part of the reason many women fear running for office because it can be a very stressful and hard thing to put oneself through. However, instead of attacking back,  “I try to treat people with so much kindness because I think there is a lack of kindness in the world,” Anna said. “If someone is being nasty to me, there’s something much deeper going on and I can’t take it personally,” she said.

Keeping the conversation open helps create culture changes. Anna knows that many of those who disagree with her now won’t vote for her in November, and that’s ok. She hopes that over time by being a leader that listens to their concerns will help her gain their trust over time.

“I just want to model what a good public leader would do,” Anna told me. “That is someone who is kind and who opens up the door for conversation even if that person isn’t ready yet. Maybe over time, we’ll find common ground.”

Anna also recognizes that she needs to start a pipeline of strong progressive leaders because federal representatives start in the local and state levels. She wants to help set the tone and build those leaders.

Why local and state elections matter so much

Lastly, Anna discussed that it is so important to think about local and state elected officials because they have a much higher impact on your everyday life. In her position as the Representative for District 47 in the Florida State House of Representatives, Anna will make budget decisions for the state of Florida. The state budget determines things like mental health funding, how much goes towards education, and where trusts for affordable housing goes.

There are so many important decisions that need to be made in the State of Florida on November 6th and it’s the most important thing you can do as a citizen. Make sure you get out and vote and have your say!

Links to the Episode:

Visit Anna For Florida to volunteer or donate
Find out where Anna is on the issues in Anna’s Opportunity Agenda
Follow Anna for Florida on Instagram
Like Anna for Florida’s Facebook Page
Follow Anna for Florida on Twitter

Additional Voter Information

Florida Voter Information to look up

• where to vote,
• if you are registered
• request a vote by mail ballot

League of Women Voter’s Florida Amendment Guide 
Andrew Gillium for Governer
Bill Nelson for Senator

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