Today the Working Families Party announced its endorsement of Anna V. Eskamani for Florida House District 47.
“Anna understands the struggles so many working families in Florida are facing, because she grew up facing those same struggles every day,” said Joe Dinkin, Working Families Party National Communications Director. “She has devoted her life to lifting up working people, supporting struggling families, and holding politicians accountable to their constituents. Anna has proven herself to be a strong progressive who gets things done, and we will do our part to make sure she wins in November.”
The Working Families Party is a national political organization that is recruiting, training, and electing the next generation of progressive leaders to office. They have had an impressive record of down-ballot wins in 2017, electing nearly 2/3rds of its more than 1,000 endorsed candidates, including Philadelphia’s new District Attorney Larry Krasner, helping elect the new Mayor of Jackson, MS, Chokwe Lumumba, a sweep of school board races in Milwaukee, and special election victories for progressive leaders running for state legislature in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Anna had the following statement to offer in response:
“I grew up in Orlando to a working class family of immigrants from Iran. My mom worked minimum wage jobs her entire life at fast food restaurants and K-Mart. If we weren’t at the store helping her clean the shelves and refold clothes, we were staying up late waiting for her to come home, so we could hug her before going to bed. That’s the story of thousands of hard-working Floridians, who go to work each day but lack access to better paying jobs and economic upward mobility. I believe that it is possible to build a state where all families of every status can change their stars, and achieve the American dream. It starts with electing the right leaders, and I am grateful to the Working Families Party for prioritizing our race.”
Today Anna also released her 47 Means Business platform and blog, a space where she discusses business policy and highlights local businesses and business owners in House District 47 who are creating jobs, and adding character to our community. The platform reflects the deep diversity of Central Florida, speaking to the needs of our thriving tech and small business communities. She also lifts up the importance of responsible leadership, and sexual harassment prevention. You can learn more about 47 Means Business here.
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More About Anna
Anna V. Eskamani is lifelong Orlando Native and daughter of immigrant parents who has worked relentlessly her entire life to protect all members of our community through effective advocacy, bold leadership, and strategic management. A community organizer with a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values, Anna currently serves as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.* She manages a team across 22 counties and is known in the legislature and across the nation as an advocate for women’s health and equality. Anna is also a PhD student in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and serves as an Adjunct Professor teaching Intro to Women’s Studies. Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna is a progressive who has proven herself as a leader who works hard, delivers results, and gets things done.
So far, Anna has earned the endorsement of 37 community leaders and organizations, including an early endorsement from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. She was also one of the 48 women featured on the cover of Time magazine last month. When elected, Anna will be the first Iranian-American to serve in the Florida legislature.
*Provided for biographical purposes only