Tired of culture wars, Dr. Jarod Fox wants to oust Doug Bankson in HD 39

Accusing Republicans of pushing culture war issues instead of fixing affordability problems, Orlando Health infectious disease specialist Dr. Jarod Fox is seeking to challenge Rep. Doug Bankson.

The Democrat said he was motivated to jump into the House District 39 race as more of his patients can’t afford their medications and end up in the hospital because they can’t pay for basic medical care.

Bankson, an Apopka Republican, has been elected since 2022 for the seat representing Orange and Seminole counties, which spans Winter Garden, part of Ocoee, Zellwood and Apopka.

In the past two years, Bankson, a pastor, has sponsored controversial bills about book bans and policies affecting transgender people. Those bills advanced in the House but died in the Senate.

“I think he’s focused too much on culture wars just like a lot of the other Republicans in Tallahassee … rather than focusing on everyday issues that affect everybody in Florida,” Fox said.

Fox said he is confident he can unseat the Republican and flip the district.

“HD 39 has consistently trended toward the Democratic candidate, with election results moving 6 points toward the Democrats from November 2022 to November 2024,” his campaign said in a press release.

The Legislature needs more medical professionals who understand health care issues better, Fox argued.

“A lot of the politicians in Tallahassee are making policy decisions about health insurance, medical care, etc., without any knowledge to understand the damage they’re causing by some of their policies,” Fox said. “What I can bring to the table is having a better understanding of where those changes need to happen, but also some of the things that can happen if done poorly.”

Fox began a fellowship at Orlando Health in 2014 and has worked there ever since. He helped lead Orlando Health’s coordinated response across its health care system during the pandemic.

His wife, April Oxford, is a primary care physician in Winter Garden, where the couple lives with their three children. They are community leaders at Mosaic Church.