I grew up in a family shaped by faith. My dad was a pastor. My parents served in ministry alongside each other. Growing up in the church, I learned that leadership isn’t about power, it’s about service. That one’s greatest strength is often their kindness, their charity toward others.
In Tallahassee, we spent time with Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., a leader whose voice carries not just conviction, but genuine care for this state and its people. What he shared wasn’t political in the usual sense. It was personal, rooted in faith, community, and the belief that Florida can rise to something greater. Rev. Holmes believes with urgency that Florida is ready to turn the corner and usher in a brighter chapter.
He said something that’s stuck with me since that day:
“Florida has the potential to be the best state in this country… I believe we are better than this.”
Better than division. Better than shutting people out. Better than the kind of politics that, in his words, “puts people in a box.” Reverend Holmes laid out a vision for Florida I share deeply. A Florida that leads in education and opportunity. A Florida where everyone is respected, welcomed, and heard. A Florida for all.
The truth is, when you travel this state and sit down with people, you hear something consistent. They want to feel seen and respected. They want leaders who don’t write them off or make empty promises. They want someone who will hear them out and actually work on the problems they face in their everyday lives.
You’ve heard me talk before about why I left the Republican Party. It wasn’t because the values my parents raised me with had changed. It was because I watched a movement abandon those values and too often embrace insult, division, and exactly the kind of politics Reverend Holmes is talking about that “puts people in a box.”
That’s not the country I grew up believing in. And it’s not the Florida I want my kids to inherit.
This endorsement means a lot to me. Rev. Holmes has spent his whole life bringing people together, uplifting his community, and reminding people of their worth. He knows the power of unity and the danger of division. To have his belief in this campaign is something I carry with me.
It’s also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with this moment.
We all, regardless of party, want the same things: affordable homes, good schools, accessible health care, safe communities, and leaders who put people first. This campaign is about rebuilding a sense that Florida belongs to all of us and building a state where everyone belongs.
If you watch the video, you’ll know what I mean.
If our message speaks to you, I hope you’ll consider being part of our team – whether that’s contributing to the campaign, passing this along to someone who needs to hear it, or simply staying with us as we keep building toward November.