Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet raises $183K, gets new endorsements for HD 42 race

Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet has raised more than $183,000 in his bid for House District 42 and is picking up more endorsements, his campaign said.

Sousa-Lazaballet is a Democrat running to replace term-limited Rep. Anna Eskamani in a seat to represent a portion of Orange County that covers Orlando, Winter Park and Maitland.

With no other candidates filed, he is currently set to face Republican Bonnie Jackson, who lost to Eskamani in 2022.

Sousa-Lazaballet is raising money through both his official campaign account and his Thriving Together political committee, his campaign said.

The latest lawmakers supporting Sousa-Lazaballet’s campaign are Senate Leader-Designate Shevrin Jones and Reps. Kevin Chambliss, Jervonte Edmonds and Ashley Gantt.

“I’m proud to endorse Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet. Felipe’s incredible work in immigration advocacy is demonstrative of the kind of critical leadership he will provide in Tallahassee,” Chambliss said in a statement.

“At a time when our immigrant neighbors are increasingly targets of violence and hatred, Felipe’s story is one of resilience and courage, and it’s a story that people across Florida can resonate with and deserve to see represented in the State House.”

Sousa-Lazaballet spent 15 years as an undocumented immigrant from Brazil before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021. 

“I am so honored to have so much support from leaders I admire and from voters and donors across the community,” Sousa-Lazaballet said in a statement.

“Every time I knock on doors, I hear the same concerns — our neighbors are worried about how to pay the next month’s bills and don’t see anyone in Tallahassee working to protect them. I’m honored to carry this fight forward and to continue to build a community-powered, grassroots campaign.”

Eskamani and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer have already endorsed Sousa-Lazaballet.

Today, Sousa-Lazaballet works as the Executive Director of the Hope CommUnity Center and is vocal about immigrant rights. He has been speaking out against the federal government building a detention center in Orlando.