Meet the HD 21 candidates: Jacquelyn Randall

Jacquelyn Randall is competing against four other Democrats — Sylvain Doré, Antione Fields, Xavier Monroe and Malik Moore — to be the next Representative for House District 21.

The district includes southeast Alachua County and northwest Marion, running from Gainesville to Ocala. Incumbent Rep. Yvonne Hinson is eligible to run for one more term, but the 78-year-old says she is not seeking re-election because of her age and decreased bipartisanship in the Legislature.

No Republicans have qualified to run. The district is one of just five House seats north of Orlando currently held by Democrats.

Florida Politics asked all candidates to answer a few questions. We are publishing their responses unedited so voters can hear directly from candidates. Here’s what Randall told us:

— Profession: Jacquelyn Randall is a college professor of respiratory therapy, former Mayor of Hawthorne, and lifelong District 21 resident dedicated to lowering costs, expanding access to healthcare, and strengthening Florida’s rural communities.

— Education: She earned her undergraduate degree in Cardiopulmonary Science at Florida A&M and has spent a decade and a half caring for patients in hospitals, intensive care units, home health, and on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Years in the district: I have lived in House District 21 my entire life and was born and raised in Hawthorne.

— Community involvement: Her commitment to public service began by helping establish the first PTA at Hawthorne Middle/High School and organizing families to keep their local schools open. She later served on the Hawthorne City Commission before being selected by her colleagues to serve as Mayor. Today, she continues advocating for stronger schools, expanding access to healthcare, and greater opportunities for rural communities while raising her family in the community she proudly calls home.

— Why are you running? What motivated you to run? I never set out to chase a title; I stepped forward whenever my community needed someone to solve problems. As a healthcare professional, mayor, and lifelong resident of Hawthorne, I’ve fought to keep schools open, expand healthcare access, and secure investments for our community. I’m running because the challenges facing working families can no longer be solved at the local level alone, and District 21 deserves a representative who will show up, listen, and deliver.

— What are the biggest challenges facing the 21st District, and what can you realistically do about them if elected? Families are struggling with affordability, healthcare access, aging infrastructure, and a lack of opportunity in many rural communities. I will fight to lower insurance costs, stronger public schools, expanded workforce training, and investments in roads, water systems, and broadband. My experience as mayor has taught me how to build partnerships and bring resources home.

— What specific policies do you propose to make life more affordable? Florida families need relief from rising insurance premiums, utility bills, housing costs, and grocery prices. I support reforms that increase competition and accountability in the insurance market, investments in affordable housing, and protecting consumers from policies that shift more costs onto working families. I’ll also support workforce development that helps people earn better wages while strengthening our local economy.

— How will you deliver results in a Republican-controlled Legislature? Local government taught me that progress comes from building relationships without losing sight of your values. I’ll work with anyone willing to help District 21 while speaking out when legislation hurts our communities. My responsibility is to bring resources home, advocate for my constituents, and never stop fighting for what’s right, even when we disagree.

— On social issues, how would you describe your political ideology? I consider myself a progressive because I believe everyone deserves the freedom to live with dignity, equal protection under the law, and access to quality healthcare. As a healthcare provider, I trust patients, their families, and their doctors to make deeply personal medical decisions without political interference. I support protecting LGBTQ rights, reproductive freedom, and other fundamental civil rights while focusing on improving the everyday lives of working families.

— Is there a place for AI data centers in Florida? I do not support the expansion of large AI hyperscale data centers in Florida. These facilities consume enormous amounts of water and electricity, place significant strain on local infrastructure, and can negatively impact nearby communities and natural resources. Florida should prioritize protecting its environment and quality of life rather than subsidizing projects that offer limited local benefits while creating long-term costs for residents.