Timothy Brandt Robinson, a history teacher who stirred controversy, seeks to challenge Anna Paulina Luna

Timothy Brandt Robinson, a Pinellas County history teacher, is running in Florida’s 13th Congressional District for the chance to flip a seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

Speaking from Scottsville, Alabama, alongside his wife, Carole, Robinson said he “never once thought about running for office.”

“But over the years so many of you told me that you would support me if I did, and guys, now it’s official,” he said in a video announcement.

Robinson, a Democrat, traveled with his wife to Alabama over the holiday “to climb on real rocks.” When not in the classroom, Robinson is frequently seen at a local rock gym where he climbs on fake rocks. While climbing the real thing with his wife, Robinson said his decision became clear.

“I can’t not share you with the world,” his wife recalls telling him on that climb.

In his post announcing his intent to run, Robinson said he was still “trying to wrap my head around this massive, life-changing decision.”

“But I am here for it,” he wrote, adding that he “will need so much help from YOU because I love and respect you. Get used to me talking often about ‘the things that matter.’”

Robinson filed paperwork to run on Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving. And he’s already campaigning. In a Facebook post Sunday, Robinson shared a photo of himself grimacing at a mailer from Luna celebrating that she “lowered taxes.”

“IS THAT ALL?! My opponent is sending mailers touting her lone accomplishment: a massive tax cut for the rich and the tired mantra of ‘trickle down economics,’” he wrote. “We, the People, are not having it!”

Robinson faced backlash in 2021 when he spoke out at a Pinellas County School Board meeting about legislative efforts aimed at critical race theory. He told Board members that teachers are “not here to indoctrinate students,” but to “encourage our students to examine deeply the history of this country, because we’re preparing citizens to be functional wonderful citizens in a democracy,” according to the Tampa Bay Times.

A parent later accused him of “Marxist indoctrination.” The parent challenged his African American history syllabus, saying it framed the U.S. as inherently racist. That’s a common critique of critical race theory, which is sometimes taught in college but is not part of Florida high school history curricula. Robinson successfully defended his class.

The next year, the Florida Education Association honored Robinson with its Human & Civil Rights Leadership Award recognizing those who demonstrate support for, and promote, diversity and social justice.

Robinson has been a teacher for more than two decades, teaching social studies and African American history. He also served on the African American History Task Force for Florida, where he helped to establish public school curricula.

Robinson also chairs the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association’s Human and Civil Rights Committee.

Robinson will have a tough climb ahead. CD 13 is heavily conservative, with just 29% of the electorate registered as Democrats, compared to nearly 40% who are Republicans, according to the most recent L2 voter data.