Erika Booth (born September 27, 1977)[1] is an American educator and politician who currently serves as a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 35th district, which includes most of Osceola County and eastern parts of Orange County.[2][3] She previously served as a member of the Osceola County School Board from 2022 to 2023.
Erika Booth | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, c. 2024 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 35th district | |
| Assumed office November 5, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Keen |
| Member of the Osceola County School Board from the 5th district | |
| In office November 8, 2022 – December 12, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Bass |
| Succeeded by | Scott Ramsey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 27, 1977 Kissimmee, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Ricky Booth (m. 2005) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | St. Cloud, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Florida (BS) University of Central Florida (MEd) |
| Occupation |
|
| Website | erikaboothfl |
Early life and education
editErika was born on September 27, 1977 in Kissimmee, Florida.[4] She graduated from Saint Cloud High School in 1995 and earned her bachelor's degree in health science from the University of Florida in 2000. She later earned a master's degree in education from the University of Central Florida.[5]
Professional career
editBooth has been a public elementary school teacher for 20 years and was honored for her teaching techniques in 2020.[6][5]
Political career
edit
Osceola County School Board
editBooth was elected to the Osceola County School Board for District 5 in 2022.[4] She resigned from her office after her final board meeting on December 12, 2023. Booth was succeeded by fellow Republican Scott Ramsey, who was appointed to the seat by Governor Ron DeSantis on July 20, 2024.[7][8]
Florida House of Representatives
editAfter an unsuccessful campaign for the 35th district of the Florida House of Representatives in the 2024 special election, which she lost to Tom Keen, Booth announced her candidacy for a rematch in the 2024 Florida House of Representatives election.[9][10] Her campaign was endorsed by DeSantis and she won the August primary with 63% of the vote.[11][12] Booth went on to defeat Keen in the general election; a gain for Republicans.[13][14] She was sworn into office on November 19, 2024.[15]
Personal life
editBooth married her husband Ricky, a current Osceola County commissioner, in 2005.[16][17] They have three children and live in St. Cloud, Florida.[1][18]
References
edit- ^ a b "Erika Booth". myfloridahouse.gov. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ "State House District 35 primary elections: Erika Booth, Tom Keen win, will face off in Jan. 16 general election". Osceola News-Gazette. November 7, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ "Erika Booth". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ a b "Candidate: Erika Booth". Osceola County Supervisor of Elections. 2020-03-10.
- ^ a b Jacobacci, Abby. "Meet Erika Booth". osceolaschools.net. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Fields, Tammie (March 24, 2020). "A+ Teacher: She Uses Language to Bring Out Best in Students". Spectrum News. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Brensel, Lauren (July 20, 2024). "DeSantis appoints Osceola school board candidate weeks before election". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Mellado, Megan (July 22, 2024). "Osceola County School Board member appointed weeks ahead of election". WESH. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (January 17, 2024). "Democrats flip Florida state House seat in special election". The Hill. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Mrgan, Silas (August 21, 2024). "Booth vs. Keen rematch set in state House District 35". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Vecerina, Michelle (August 7, 2024). "DeSantis endorses Erika Booth, Nick Primrose, Sam Greco in Florida House primary race". Florida's Voice. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ "Florida Primary Election Results". The New York Times. August 20, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ Langston, Jacob (November 5, 2024). "Erika Booth beats incumbent Tom Keen in Florida House District 35 race". WKMG-TV. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (November 5, 2024). "Erika Booth takes back HD 35 seat for GOP in rematch with Tom Keen". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Amber Jo (November 19, 2024). "Newly elected Florida lawmakers sworn in, marking start of 2024-2026 legislative term". Florida's Voice. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "Ricky Booth". osceola.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ Lloyd, Terry (August 20, 2024). "Osceola County Commission incumbents win; School Board member ousted". Osceola News-Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "Florida State Rep. Erika Booth". LegiStorm. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
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