Democrat from Hillsborough County enters race for Florida House District 49

As of Friday, a Democrat has entered each of Polk County’s five legislative elections.

Ashley Herrmann filed a statement of candidacy Wednesday to run for office in Florida House District 49, which covers much of southern Polk County.

Herrmann, 34, listed a post office box in Thonotosassa, in Hillsborough County, on the statement submitted to the Florida Division of Elections. Asked if she lives in the district, Herrmann replied by email, “Not yet, but my father does, and I'd love to take up residence should I be elected.”

Under Florida election law, a member of the Legislature must reside in their district upon taking office.

Herrmann described herself as a fifth-generation Floridian. She said she holds an associate degree from Hillsborough Community College, a bachelor’s in economics from the University of South Florida and a master’s in global sustainability with a concentration in sustainable business from USF.

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Herrmann said she is the mother of a 3-year-old girl and is early in her pregnancy with another child.

She joins three Republicans already in the race for the open seat: Jennifer Kincart Jonsson and Heather McArthur of Lakeland and Shawn McDonough of Mulberry. Rep. Melony Bell, R-Fort Meade, opted not to seek a fourth term and is running for Polk County Supervisor of Elections.

“I'm running because I care a lot about my state and Central Florida,” Herrmann said by email. “I care a lot about reproductive rights as a woman and a mother. My daughter and 'child to be' will live here. My husband, a Marine, is from here. I'm looking forward to running a competitive race.”

Each of the other four legislative races with districts including Polk County — one in the Senate and three in the House — has a single Democratic candidate. The qualifying period for legislative races is June 10-14.

The two Florida Senate and four Florida House seats representing parts of Polk County are all occupied by Republicans.

Gary White can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: First Democrat enters race for open seat in Florida House-49