Despite major Republican wins, one Democratic Tampa representative remains optimistic

Share
Dianne Hart on Primary Election Day, 2018
Dianne Hart on Primary Election Day, 2018. By Seán Kinane / WMNF News.

Listen:

Republicans had soaring success in Tuesday’s election. They will remain the supermajority in the state House. 

One Democratic state representative says despite the election results, she’s hopeful for what’s to come.

Democratic Representative Dianne Hart, who won reelection this year for a district in Hillsborough County, will face a lot of opposition heading into the next legislative session for the State House of Representatives.

“We’re going back to Tallahassee in a super, super, minority position,” Hart told WMNF.

Meanwhile, Florida Politics reports incoming Republican House Speaker Daniel Perez is restructuring the House, creating a “leaner” structure with fewer committee chairs. 

Hart says she hopes Perez’s changes will bring more opportunities for bipartisan collaboration.

“My hope is that this is going to allow us an opportunity to work closer together. Because no matter how you cut this thing, we have got to work together in the Florida legislature to make life better for everybody,” Hart said.

Meanwhile, an amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the Florida constitution was struck down Tuesday.

Tampa Democratic State Representative Dianne Hart says she was devastated.

“I personally have somebody in my family who had an ectopic pregnancy, and today they could possibly die because they would not be able to get the services they need,” Hart said.

However, Republican State Representative Berny Jacques called the amendment “vile” at a GOP election night party in Pinellas County.

Next year’s legislative session begins March 4th.

You may also like

Tampa to host Flugtag event for first time in over a decade

The annual Red Bull Flugtag event is flying back to...

Leonard Peltier
Update on the health of Leonard Peltier, a prisoner at Coleman, north of Tampa

WMNF interviews Jean Roach, president of the ILPDC Board -...

The Scoop: Thurs. Nov. 7th, 2024, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF

Explore the latest news about the election, including voter turnout,...

Labor unions
Florida school unions get a win in a fight over a dues deduction law

The 2023 Florida law prevents the deduction of union dues...

Ways to listen

WMNF is listener-supported. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station, and we're not part of a university.

Ways to support

WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin'.

Follow us on Instagram

The Dorm Room
Player position: