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Carlos David Gamez of Lakeland has filed to challenge incumbent Florida Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, as a Democrat in the 2024 election.

Gamez, 20, is listed as a qualified candidate with the Florida Division of Elections for House District 50, which covers the Lakeland area.

A graduate of Lake Gibson High School, Gamez said he is a student majoring in education at Western Governors University, based in Utah. He expects to graduate in December.

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Gamez said his parents are immigrants from Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. He said he has lived in Lakeland for most of his life.

Gamez said he was spurred to enter the race after seeing news about the expulsion of two Democratic representatives from the Tennessee Legislature after they joined a floor protest for gun restrictions. Both Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones have since been reinstated.

In the Florida Legislature, one of the things that kind of worries me has been the lack of thorough debate and hearing the public opinion, whether you're with them or not, Gamez said, I think in order for the Legislature to work, it has to be able to hear the opinions and not kind of pass legislation in the middle of the night.

Canady is in her first term and has already filed to seek re-election next year. She was one of two House sponsors on a six-week abortion limit signed into law last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Three candidates are running in Florida House District 48, where current Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, faces term limits. Polk Countys other House members, Rep. Melony Bell, R-Fort Meade, and Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City, have filed to seek re-election.

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Lakeland Democrat files to challenge Canady next year in Florida ... - The Ledger