Former state Representative and Miami Beach Commissioner David Richardson on Wednesday morning announced he has officially filed for candidacy in a race for Representative of the newly penned District 106.
The 64-year-old Richardson was originally elected to the Florida House in 2012 and served District 113 until 2018 when he lost his bid at a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Public service for me is not about a title, it’s about serving the community I love deeply. Since 2019, it has truly been an honor serving our local community, and I will continue to do so until November,” said Richardson. “Families face a growing affordability crisis that state leaders continue to ignore and we need to make sure the state is giving Miami-Dade County and our cities within the County a fair share of state funding so we can deploy solutions to our pressing challenges.”
Though there is not an incumbent defending District 106, which spans the Miami-Dade County coast between Miami Beach and Aventura. Richardson will square off against Bay Harbor Islands former Mayor Jordan W. Leonard in the Democratic Primary.
“It’s truly an honor to serve my community and I am humbled by the early support for my campaign to return to the Florida House and represent our residents in Tallahassee,” Richardson said. “My experience having served six years, coupled with my current service on the Miami Beach Commission gives me a unique opportunity to bring needed perspectives from local government to the halls of the State Capitol. With your continued support, I am ready to get to work representing the residents of District 106 in the Florida House of Representatives.”
Richardson, noted as the first LGBTQ member of the Florida government in 2012, cited various social issues that he aims to fight should he win the open seat. With the district located in a Democrat-majority area of the state, it is expected that the winner of the primary will coast to the election.
“Serving is a way to give back and provide an opportunity for other people. It’s really important to have that local perspective… I know that statewide changes are going to be needed, and I want to be a voice in that conversation,” concluded Richardson.