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Yen Bailey: A Tallahassee-based attorney and Florida State University Law School graduate, is poised to become the Democratic nominee challenging Republican incumbent Congressman Neal Dunn. The district, which spans from Walton County to Madison County, includes her longtime hometown of Tallahassee.
Yen's career has been marked by a steadfast commitment to public service. She served as a Senior Attorney for the Guardian ad Litem Program and dedicated over 13 years as an Assistant Ethics Counsel at The Florida Bar. Yen stepped away from the Bar to care for her elderly father. Demonstrating her commitment to civic engagement, she co-founded Every Vote Florida, a nonprofit voter outreach organization, where she also serves as Vice President. Additionally, she was a board member of Friends of the LeRoy Collins Public Library System, a nonprofit that promotes literacy and supports Leon County’s seven public libraries. Yen is married to Steve Bailey, a lawyer and professor at Florida State University, as well as a former Army Green Beret. Together, they have two teenage sons.
Bailey is motivated to run for office because she believes the current leadership has failed to address the needs and challenges of the average Floridian in the panhandle. “Many in our district have been neglected and left behind by their leaders. I want to work to improve the lives of all Floridians in our community,” Bailey stated. “While I have not previously worked in the political arena, I have always worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help others. Neal Dunn, during his tenure, has not shown that he listens to the average constituent in North Florida. I intend to change that. Our community deserves to feel heard and to have a true voice in Washington, D.C. I will be that voice.”
Leon County Democratic Party Chair Ryan Ray has expressed his strong support for Bailey. “Yen represents North Florida’s Democratic values and will bring much-needed balance to the civic conversation as a member of Congress,” Ray said. “She possesses the credentials, legal expertise, and moral courage needed in the United States House of Representatives to advocate for North Florida’s values and to oppose the radical MAGA values endorsed by Donald Trump’s congressional enablers.”
With her extensive background in public service and her dedication to the community, Yen Bailey presents a formidable challenge to the incumbent and offers a fresh perspective for District 2.
Therese Wakefield-Gamble: Is running for Florida State House District 14 to be a new voice and advocate for our community. Driven by a commitment to equity, justice, and unity, she has experienced firsthand the importance of strong, compassionate leadership. As the granddaughter of a black farmer and daughter of a longshoreman union worker with 40 years in the International Longshoreman's Association Local #1408, and the wife of a union worker of 35 years who served with the International Longshoreman's Association Local #1408 and the State of Florida for 12 years before retiring due to disability, she was raised with faith-based principles and a strong work ethic. A third-generation preacher's daughter, mother of two married sons, and grandmother of three. Her professional journey includes being a serial entrepreneur and pursuing a dual doctoral degree in Educational Leadership despite undergoing three brain surgeries, which has equipped me with resilience and determination. She aims to address healthcare reform, education equity, environmental issues, and economic development in our district. Believing in Medicaid expansion to ensure affordable healthcare for all, equitable school funding, and the integration of innovative technologies for environmental sustainability she is running a grassroots campaign focused on community conversations, advocating for underrepresented voices, and fostering a stronger, more connected community.
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