Kiyan Michael, who seemed to be a longshot candidate for the Florida House against two better-known, well-heeled candidates, suddenly got a big boost this week.
The three Republicans are vying for House District 16. This includes the beaches and extends west to the Regency Square area. There is no Democrat in the race.
Michael just gained the endorsement of Jennifer Carroll, former lieutenant governor of Florida, then followed that up with the endorsement of the current governor, Ron DeSantis.
Michael is an “angel mom” whose son Brandon was killed in a car crash caused by an illegal alien who had been deported twice but was back in the country. She has been a staunch advocate of border security along with her husband, Bobby, and was a member of Black Voices for Trump, according to the Capitolist.
“Kiyan Michael is a true patriot who’s suffered the ultimate sacrifice and has the heart, passion, intellect, and knowledge to be a representative of the people. What we need in our elected officials today are leaders who will listen to the people and do the will of the people to improve lives and provide a safer future. Kiyan is running for State Representative to put families over politics. She will make a great people’s representative in Tallahassee, and I enthusiastically endorse her for House District 16,” Carroll said.
Both Carroll and Michael are former Navy officers.
Others who are backing Michael include GOP rising star Quisha King, former general and national security advisor Michael Flynn, and Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.
Before these developments, Michael did not appear to have a high possibility of winning. Another candidate Lake Ray, has experience as a legislator and some key endorsements and a third, Chet Stokes, is well-funded and also has garnered endorsements from big players.
DeSantis isn’t just plugging Michael. His political committee, Friends of Ron Desantis, wrote a check for $50,000 to Michael’s campaign, helping to close the chasm between her campaign and those of her opponents.
Stokes has more than $250,000 and Ray has about $185,000. Michael had collected less than $50,000 before the governor’s endorsement and contribution.
Ray is a former legislator, former member of the Jacksonville City Council and an engineer. Stokes is a businessman and city councilman at Jacksonville Beach.
