Luis Salazar , a Navy veteran and community advocate, has officially launched his campaign for House District 64, becoming the second Democrat in the race.

Salazar joins former Tampa City Council member Mike Suarez in the contest. So far, no Republican has filed to run for the seat, which is currently held by term-limited Rep. Susan Valdés . Valdés is a Republican, but when she last won the seat was a Democrat. She changed parties shortly after her 2024 re-election.

Salazar is the current President of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party’s LGBTQ+ Caucus . Originally from California and raised in Arizona, Salazar is a first-generation college graduate who is fluent in English and Spanish.

Salazar credits his experience serving in the U.S. Navy with shaping his commitment to

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