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Cruz Says She’s Running for Florida Senate

Janet Cruz | Florida Senate | Politics

Janet Cruz is running for Florida Senate District 18.

TAMPA – State House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz today (April 10)  filed to run for Senate District 18, promising to put the people of Tampa ahead of the big special interests who control Tallahassee.

Cruz has a strong record of fighting for working families throughout her life and in a year of unprecedented Democratic energy, she said she is running as a champion for public education, quality affordable health care, and an economy that works for everyone.

“I’m running because Tampa Bay families deserve a leader who will fight for them in Tallahassee – not sell them out to big donors. Our teachers, nurses, moms, dads, small business owners and working families are the backbone of our community and they deserve a state senator who will always put them first,” Cruz said.

“I love our community and I am fed up with lawmakers who put the interests of the NRA, the for-profit school industry, and insurance companies before the people they represent. Under Republican leadership, this Legislature has continuously underfunded our public schools, focused on creating low wage jobs that leave working families in a cycle of poverty, and given away millions of taxpayer dollars to insurance companies while health insurance costs for working families skyrocket.

“Florida deserves better. I’m proud of my record of standing against disastrous policies that have led to our children feeling unsafe in their schools and an economy that only works for the very wealthy — leaving more and more Floridians behind. I have voted again and again to fully fund public education, keep housing costs low, and protect our access to clean air and water.

“The Floridians who have been making their voices heard across our state, from the Women’s March to the incredible students from Parkland, deserve true allies in their elected officials and I will proudly carry their fight with me back to Tallahassee.”

Cruz is a fourth generation Tampa native born in Ybor City, descending from Spanish and Italian immigrants who came to Tampa to work in the cigar factories. As a state representative, Cruz has lead the passage of legislation that has had significant benefits for Tampa residents.

Cruz’s campaign said that Democratic victories in Florida special elections have signaled major opportunities for Democrats in swing districts like Senate District 18 where far-right Republicans like Dana Young have been summarily rejected by the electorate. Young is the incumbent in SD 18.

SD 18 covers the western portion of Hillsborough County including a portion of Tampa, Town ‘n Country, West Park, Carrollwood Village and Carrollwood.

The primary is Aug. 28. The general election is Nov. 6.

For information about Cruz, go to janetcruz2018.com.

Janet Cruz | Dana Young | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News

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