Luis Salazar to kick off HD 64 campaign with support from union, Democratic Party leaders

Luis Salazar is officially kicking off his campaign for House District 64 on Nov. 10, after becoming the second Democrat in the race to replace term-limited Republican Rep. Susan Valdés.

Salazar’s event will be at Blind Tiger Cafe, located at 6905 N. Orleans Ave. in Tampa, beginning at 6 p.m.

Salazar’s host committee includes a diverse group of community and party leaders, as well as other candidates for local office, such as Darren McAuley, a candidate for Florida’s 15th Congressional District; Brian Nathan, who is running for Senate District 14; and Kelly Cameron, a candidate in House District 65.

Other hosts include Tabitha Hunter, assistant business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union; the Hillsborough Society’s Mike Drapak; Hillsborough County Democratic Veterans Caucus President Jose Lucena Jr.; Kristen Browde, who leads the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus; and Lydia Medrano of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

“As a Navy veteran, partner, and proud community advocate, I believe in service before self,” Salazar said. “I am running to ensure that every family in our district has access to opportunity, from quality education and affordable housing to meaningful support for veterans and small businesses. Together, we will build a Florida where everyone can thrive.”

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 works in media and public engagement and has worked on various campaigns and initiatives promoting equality, equal representation and voter participation, in addition to his work on LGBTQ+ and Latino voter engagement and coalition building.

Salazar’s campaign platform includes expanding economic opportunity, strengthening public schools, defending reproductive freedom, supporting military families and veterans, and ensuring that hardworking Floridians can afford to live in the communities they serve.

“As someone who has always put people first, Luis will bring honesty, compassion, and real leadership to Tallahassee,” a campaign spokesperson said. “This kickoff event marks the start of a grassroots movement powered by neighbors and community voices.”

He so far faces former Tampa City Council member Mike Suarez in the Democratic Primary.

The district has a voter advantage for Democrats, who hold more than 37% of the electorate. Republican voters, meanwhile, account for nearly 29% of the district’s voters, according to the most recent L2 voter data.

As an open race, HD 64 will likely garner a lot of attention. Valdés shocked Democrats last December when she announced she was switching political parties, saying the party was ignoring her. However, the move came less than a week after Valdés lost a bid to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Party.

Republicans will no doubt put up their own candidate to replace her and hold onto the newly gained seat, while Democrats will be hungry to reclaim it.