Tallahassee, FL – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced its endorsement of Jake Johansson (SD-08), Lauren Melo (SD-28), Jon Fay (HD-02), Terrance Freeman (HD-12), Chad Johnson (HD-22), Erika Booth (HD-35), Emily Duda Buckley (HD-38), Erin Huntley (HD-45), Samantha Scott (HD-52), Ryan Gill (HD-68), Liesa Priddy (HD-82), Anthony Bonna (HD-85), and Dr. Eric Stelnicki (HD-100) for election to the Florida House and Senate. Statewide primary elections will be held on August 18, 2026.
AFP Action senior advisor for Florida Skylar Zander issued the following statement:
“Floridians deserve to be represented by officials who are passionate about making the lives of all Floridians better. These candidates will do just that, championing policies like deregulation, school choice, and housing policy reforms. We look forward to mobilizing our grassroots network to ensure these principled candidates are elected come November.”
Background:
Jake Johansson (SD-08)
Jake Johansson, who has spent more than a decade in local government, will likely bring his focus on public safety to the Florida Senate. A current Volusia County Councilman, Johansson has consistently fully funded local law enforcement. He is also focused on addressing Florida’s insurance issues and on taking general deregulatory actions.
Lauren Melo (SD-28)
Lauren Melo is a strong leader on key issues such as energy, labor, and healthcare. As a current member of the Florida House of Representatives, she has led on policies that prevent local government from banning any one type of energy. Additionally, she has led on legislation to protect independent contractors and small business owners during emergencies. As a member of the House Health and Human Services committee, she has also championed expanding telehealth access. She will bring these priorities to the Florida Senate.
Jon Fay (HD-02)
A 24-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, Jon Fay will bring this experience to the Florida House of Representatives. He is sure to be a strong supporter of Florida’s veterans and active-duty military community. His legislative agenda also includes lowering the cost of living for Florida families, driven by insurance reforms and free-market solutions for housing.
Terrance Freeman (HD-12)
Terrance Freeman’s professional background and time on the Jacksonville City Council suggest he will be a key partner on education, regulatory, and spending policies. As a council member at-large, Freeman expanded apprenticeships and workforce development programs, partnered with Governor DeSantis to implement the DOGE program within the Jacksonville city government, and successfully led efforts to reduce property tax rates and curb unauthorized spending.
Chad Johnson (HD-22)
Chad Johnson has become a strong ally during his time in the Florida House of Representatives. He led a successful effort to reform public lodging laws and is committed to championing additional housing affordability reforms this coming session. Johnson has also supported efforts to expand school choice and vocational training opportunities. He is a dependable voice for fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, and pro-growth opportunities that empower Florida families and businesses.
Erika Booth (HD-35)
Erika Booth, a former teacher and school board member, has proven herself as a strong ally on educational issues. She is also a ranch operator and understands firsthand how cutting government red tape benefits Floridians. She will likely continue to be a strong voice on educational, deregulatory, and housing issues.
Emily Duda Buckley (HD-38)
Emily Duda Buckley is likely to be an ally on regulatory and educational policies. As a business owner, she is committed to maintaining Florida’s pro-business environment and to reform Florida’s child and elder care systems through deregulation. She also has experience in the education space and will pull on said experience to champion school choice, especially for students with special needs.
Erin Huntley (HD-45)
Erin Huntley has the potential to be another strong partner on regulatory and education issues. She supports free-market reforms to lower housing costs in Florida. A mom, Huntley went from fighting from better choice opportunities for her son to becoming a public advocate for school choice and online learners in the state.
Samantha Scott (HD-52)
Having served on the District Board of Trustees at Lake Sumter State College and on an advisory board for a construction company, Samantha Scott is a champion of expanding technical education. Her work in real estate has also influenced her support on policies like streamlined permitting, private sector innovation, and repeals to existing rent control policies.
Ryan Gill (HD-68)
Ryan Gill will likely be a strong economic and regulatory ally, as evidenced by his work as Chairman of the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District to cut wasteful spending. Additionally, as a cattle ranch business owner, Gill will tap into his own experience to repeal overly burdensome regulations and protect private property rights.
Liesa Priddy (HD-82)
Liesa Priddy has the potential to be a strong champion on regulatory and environmental policies. She supports housing reforms like streamlined permitting and reduced barriers to develop. A former board member with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Priddy led efforts to preserve land and water resources and protect property rights while balancing preservation of Florida’s endangered panther habitat.
Anthony Bonna (HD-85)
Anthony Bonna pushed fiscally conservative policies, like reducing local property taxes and calling out excessive government spending tied to COVID stimulus, as Port St. Lucie City Councilman. This background suggests that he will be a champion for economic and deregulatory priorities in the Florida House.
Dr. Eric Stelnicki (HD-100)
Dr. Eric “Doc” Stelnicki is a practicing physician and healthcare policy leader who will bring his medical expertise to push for statewide medical reforms like repeal of Certificate of Need laws, scope of practice reform, and interstate professional licensure. Additionally, as a small business owner, Stelnicki supports cutting red tape and lowering property taxes to make Florida more affordable.
