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Linda Stewart

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Linda Stewart
Member of the Florida Senate
In office
November 8, 2016 – November 5, 2024
Preceded byAndy Gardiner
Succeeded byCarlos Guillermo Smith
Constituency13th district (2016–2022)
17th district (2022–2024)
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 47th district
In office
November 6, 2012 – November 4, 2014
Preceded byScott Randolph (redistricting)
Succeeded byMike Miller
Personal details
Born (1948-11-23) November 23, 1948 (age 76)
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJerry B. Stewart
ChildrenSam, Amanda, Courtney
Alma materValencia Community College (AA)
ProfessionCommunity activist

Linda T. Stewart (born November 23, 1948) is a Democratic politician who served as a member of the Florida Senate from 2016 through 2024, representing Orange County. She previously served one term in the Florida House of Representatives, representing central Orange County from 2012 to 2014.

History

Stewart was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and moved to Florida in 1950. She attended Valencia Community College and later pursued European independent studies abroad. In 1998, Stewart unsuccessfully ran for the Orange County Commission against incumbent Commissioner Clarence Hoenstine and Mary Wilson, Juan R. Bruno, and Anthony Rizzuto, receiving 21% of the vote. Stewart ran against Hoenstine again in 2002, and defeated him in a one-on-one contest with 51% of the vote. She was elected to a second and final term on the Commission against Jennifer Thompson, JP Quinones, and Martin Collins in 2006, again receiving 51% of the vote. Following Rich Crotty's inability to run for another term as Mayor of Orange County, Stewart ran to succeed him in 2010. In a crowded four candidate race that included Matthew Falconer and fellow Commissioners Teresa Jacobs and Bill Segal, Stewart placed third with 19% of the vote, losing to Jacobs and Segal and failing to qualify for the runoff election, which Jacobs would later win in a landslide.

Florida House of Representatives

When Florida House of Representatives districts were reconfigured in 2012 and incumbent State Representative Scott Randolph decided to seek the Chairmanship of the Florida Democratic Party rather than seek re-election,[1] Stewart ran to succeed him. She was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and faced former State Representative Bob Brooks, the Republican nominee, in the general election. A contentious general election ensued, with Stewart attacking "Brooks' support for school vouchers and his conservative social politics, saying he's too far right for a district trending Democratic."[2] The Orlando Sentinel endorsed Stewart over Brooks, praising her for the fact that she "distinguished herself for her leadership on two critical issues for Central Florida, growth management and diversifying the region's economy."[3] Ultimately, Stewart narrowly defeated Brooks, winning with 52% of the vote, and was sworn in later that year to her first term.

Florida Senate

Stewart ran for the Florida Senate in 2016 after court-ordered redistricting made the 13th district more Democratic-leaning. She defeated former state representative Mike Clelland in the Democratic primary and Republican Dean Asher in the general election, 58 to 42%.[4][5] In 2022, Stewart stated that the repeal effort of Reedy Creek Improvement Act doesn't make sense and predicted that it is an issue that won't be "very successful".[6]

References

  1. ^ Derby, Kevin (May 29, 2012). "Scott Randolph Opts Out of Florida House". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  2. ^ Damron, David (October 28, 2012). "Brooks-Stewart House race offers stark contrasts". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  3. ^ "In House Districts 45, 47". Orlando Sentinel. October 6, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  4. ^ Rohrer, Gray (2016-08-30). "Linda Stewart, Beth Tuura post wins for Democrats". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  5. ^ Rohrer, Gray (2016-11-08). "Meager gains for Democrats in Legislature". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  6. ^ Whitten, Sarah (April 21, 2022). "Florida Republicans vote to dissolve Disney's special district, eliminating privileges and setting up a legal battle". CNBC. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
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