My name is Olivia Babis and I am running for State Senate in FL District 23 because our current representation has lost sight that the job of public servants is to represent everyone. Many within our communities feel that their concerns are not being heard and they are falling through the cracks. I understand the concerns of those in our community because I have shared many of your struggles.
Having spent the majority of my life in Florida, I have witnessed many dramatic changes to our great state. When I was growing up in Florida, red tide was a rarity. Now it happens several times per year, year-round. We didn’t have color-coded air quality days where people’s health was placed in jeopardy. Since we have not properly invested in our infrastructure, smart development, and sustainable growth practices, many of us spend hours of our day in horrendous traffic, which only further contributes to our pollution. Our failure to address our transportation issues only makes these matters worse, while leaving many without the ability to fully participate in their communities.
Our lack of transportation options, as well as our lack of availability of medical and mental health services, have contributed to Florida being ranked 46th in the nation for accessibility. As our population continues to age this is going to become more problematic. Everyone deserves access to affordable housing, reliable transportation, employment opportunities, and the dignity of self-directed care decisions. We can do better!
This is a truly people-powered campaign. I am looking to go to Tallahassee to serve our community and I invite all of you to invest in the movement to send me there! We have an opportunity to make history this year. If elected, I will be the first person with a visible disability ever elected to the Florida legislature. Whether you can contribute $10 or $1,000, or can contribute time canvassing or phone banking, let’s work together to Build a Better Florida for All and bring some much needed diversity to Tallahassee.
The maximum contribution permitted per person is $1,000.
If you would rather send contributions by mail, please send checks to:
Olivia Babis for FL Senate
P.O. Box 52084
Sarasota, FL 34232
Please include the following information with your checks which we require for reporting purposes:
- Name
- Address
- Occupation and Employer
- Phone number
Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!
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Keith Lewis Simmons endorsed
“Olivia is curious, intelligent, and empathetic. She is creative, dependable, and persistent. She understands the needs of the community, as well as the needs of families and individuals...and she is willing to put the needs of the District before all. She knows the science and the history, the economics and the mystery. Olivia chooses her rhetoric wisely, and builds consensus for what is RIGHT. Join her to fix Florida...for ALL.”
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Frank T. Gomez endorsed
“I endorse Olivia because she walks her talk and will serve us well.”
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Salim Zymet endorsed
“Love everything about this campaign!”
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John Yoder endorsed
“I support Olivia Babis to win and serve as District 23's Florida State Senator. She listens to our community's needs and will serve our people.... all of them.”
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Steve Stein endorsed
“I support Olivia. She was an extraordinary student, and expect her to be an equally extraordinary representative for the people in her district.”
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Brenda Pierce endorsed
“I am happy to endorse Olivia. As someone who has worked in the disability field for 14 years, and has several family members with disabilities, I'm excited to send someone to Tallahassee who will work for us.”
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Sabrina Caprioli endorsed
“I know that Olivia works hard and knows her stuff. She knows Florida well and will fight for her district every day if given the chance. Give her the chance! Set up a monthly donation and let's get her elected.”
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April Freeman endorsed
“I believe in Olivia! She's intelligent, hard-working and knowledgeable on the issues faced by all Floridians. It's an honor to endorse her for State Senate in Florida's 23rd District.”
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Garrett Murto endorsed
“Olivia is a true leader for ALL communities!”
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Nonie Slaughter endorsed
“She speaks for the ENTIRE disabled community!”
July 20, 2018
Endorsements!
I have gotten several endorsements over the past couple of weeks from organizations such as Florida Planned Parenthood PAC, the Florida Democratic Veterans Caucus, the Democratic Women's Club of Florida, and Englewood Indivisible. I've also received endorsements from public officials for whom I hold I great deal of respect and admiration, Florida State Senator, Victor M. Torres, Jr. and former U.S. Senator Max Cleland (rt.).
I've heard many people say that endorsements don't matter. That they are partisan and tend to given out freely to members of the correct party. Having filled out numerous endorsement questionnaires and having gone through endorsement interviews, I can tell you that endorsements are not just bestowed upon anyone. Having worked at an organization which gave endorsements, that was non-partisan but believed to be so, we were always excited at the prospect of getting to endorse candidates who might seem an unlikely choice at first glance.
For me, the endorsements I have received are honors. It means the organizations and officials I respect also respect me; that they trust me to uphold their values and represent the communities they are fighting for. As a member of a marginalized community, ensuring that every member of my community has representation is a matter I take very seriously. I have personally known those who have died due to a lack of access to healthcare. I have met some of the homeless veterans in my community, clearly struggling with PTSD, who are cycling in and out of our criminal justice system. I will make sure they have a voice in Tallahassee. I will not let down these organizations that represent them and who have put their faith in me.
In order to make it to Tallahassee though, I'm going to need their support as well as yours. Today is the last day of this fundraising period, so please make a contribution today!
Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!
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Agboola Yusuf endorsed
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Keith Lewis Simmons endorsed
“Olivia is curious, intelligent, and empathetic. She is creative, dependable, and persistent. She understands the needs of the community, as well as the needs of families and individuals...and she is willing to put the needs of the District before all. She knows the science and the history, the economics and the mystery. Olivia chooses her rhetoric wisely, and builds consensus for what is RIGHT. Join her to fix Florida...for ALL.”
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Frank T. Gomez endorsed
“I endorse Olivia because she walks her talk and will serve us well.”
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Salim Zymet endorsed
“Love everything about this campaign!”
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Kristine Benson endorsed
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Gary Hartfield endorsed
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John Yoder endorsed
“I support Olivia Babis to win and serve as District 23's Florida State Senator. She listens to our community's needs and will serve our people.... all of them.”
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Steve Stein endorsed
“I support Olivia. She was an extraordinary student, and expect her to be an equally extraordinary representative for the people in her district.”
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Amy endorsed
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Austin Tabb endorsed
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Norman Adam Tebrugge endorsed
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Brenda Pierce endorsed
“I am happy to endorse Olivia. As someone who has worked in the disability field for 14 years, and has several family members with disabilities, I'm excited to send someone to Tallahassee who will work for us.”
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Vidal Paredes endorsed
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Sabrina Caprioli endorsed
“I know that Olivia works hard and knows her stuff. She knows Florida well and will fight for her district every day if given the chance. Give her the chance! Set up a monthly donation and let's get her elected.”
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Jessica Barrett endorsed
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April Freeman endorsed
“I believe in Olivia! She's intelligent, hard-working and knowledgeable on the issues faced by all Floridians. It's an honor to endorse her for State Senate in Florida's 23rd District.”
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Anne Feuer endorsed
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Garrett Murto endorsed
“Olivia is a true leader for ALL communities!”
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Stephania Arrazcaeta endorsed
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Nonie Slaughter endorsed
“She speaks for the ENTIRE disabled community!”
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Peter R Imhoff endorsed
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Alex and Amy Beach endorsed
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Lilliam Gutiérrez Hoerr endorsed
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Zachary Keller endorsed
