Katherine Waldron

Katherine Waldron is an American politician who has been serving in the Florida House of Representatives since 2022. A Democrat, she represents the 93rd district.[1] She served two terms as Port of Palm Beach commissioner from 2017 to 2022.[2]

Elections

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2022 Florida House of Representatives Election

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In 2022, Katherine Waldron filed to run for the recently-redrawn House District 93. She faced off against Seth Densen in the primaries.[3] In the general election, she narrowly beat Saulis Banionis, a pain management doctor, by less than a percentage point.[4]

One of her endorsements for the primary was Mike Caruso, a Republican representative in the Florida House. Caruso said that he endorsed Waldron for their work together in providing hurricane relief to the Bahamas.[5] This endorsement drew criticism from local Republicans, who voted to censure him.

2024 Florida House of Representatives Election

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Rep. Waldron is currently running for re-election.

Florida House of Representatives

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2023 Florida Legislative Session

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Governor DeSantis signed into law Waldron's bill that transferred an environmental preserve and nearby property in Wellington from an independent water control district to a dependent special district.[6]

2023 Florida Special Legislative Session

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Amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, Governor DeSantis called a special legislative session.

Waldron drafted a resolution calling for the complete support of Israel.[7] This was one of three House resolutions related to the conflict, the other two being those of Randy Fine and Angie Nixon.[8] Waldron's resolution passed unanimously.

2024 Florida Legislative Session

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At the beginning of the session, Waldron filed a bill to restrict the retail sale of pet rabbits in March and April.[9] She claims that such a bill would limit the number of people who buy pet rabbits as an impulse purchase--especially around Easter.[10]

After the issue was brought to her attention by a group of students from the University of Florida, Rep. Waldron sponsored a bill against corporal punishment.[11] If this bill successfully passes, it will prevent all of a school's faculty and administration except the principal from applying such punishment to the students of any public or charter school.[12] The bill bans the practice completely for homeless and special needs children.

Election history

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2022 Florida House of Representatives General election District 93
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine Waldron 33,827 50.6
Republican Saulis Banionis 32,963 49.4
Total votes 66,790 100%
Democratic hold
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References

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  1. ^ "Katherine Waldron - 2022 - 2024 ( Speaker Renner )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ^ Milian, Jorge (20 October 2022). "Public education among issues dividing candidates seeking new Florida House District 93 seat". The Palm Beach Post.
  3. ^ Geggis, Anne (April 1, 2022). "Primary race develops in newly drawn Palm Beach County district". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Geggis, Anne (November 9, 2022). "Katherine Waldron holds off Republican, Hillary Cassel cruises to win in open South Florida House races". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Schultz, Randy (March 24, 2022). "Caruso Runs in New District, Menin and Clique Split & More". Boca Magazine. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Governor Signs Waldron's Acme Bill Into Law". The Town-Crier. June 29, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  7. ^ King, Steve (November 3, 2023). "Resolutions supporting Israel up for vote in upcoming special session". WPBF 25 News. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Llanos, Jackie (November 7, 2023). "Democratic lawmaker in House labeled 'evil' after calling for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Costeines, Michael (January 4, 2024). "Florida bill would prohibit the retail sale of rabbits during certain months". Florida's Voice. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  10. ^ Zizo, Christie (January 4, 2024). "As unwanted pet rabbits overrun Florida neighborhoods, bunny bill seeks to curb sales". Click Orlando. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Zoey, Thomas (December 5, 2023). "Anti-corporal punishment bill finds Florida House sponsor, co-sponsor". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  12. ^ Papantonis, Nick (November 15, 2023). "Florida could become latest state to restrict corporal punishment in schools". WFTV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.