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State Representative, District 50

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Unbiased view on

Jennifer Canady

Ricky Santiago

3 candidates. Listed as they appear on the ballot.

Jennifer Canady

Ricky Santiago

Jennifer Canady

Ricky Santiago

Jarvis Washington

Position on major issues

Photo of Jennifer Canady

Jennifer Canady

Jennifer Canady is a politician currently serving as the incumbent State Representative for Florida House District 50. Professionally, Canady is a veteran educator who served as the Director of the RISE Institute at Lakeland Christian School. She is married to Charles T. Canady, a former U.S. Representative and former Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Within the legislature, she wields significant influence over state policy as the Chair of the Education & Employment Committee.

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Party:
Photo of Jarvis Washington

Jarvis Washington

Professionally, Washington is a 32-year-old strategist and consultant who operates Washington Consulting. He serves as a coordinator at the Lakeland branch of the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope and, alongside his wife, operates The World Is Mine Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to their late son. He is also the founder of Black Lives Matters Restoration Polk Inc.

Party:

3 candidates. Listed as they appear on the ballot.

We share more ground than you might expect

Common Ground

Common Ground shows where candidates agree, no matter their party.

Thinking for yourself matters

Position on major issues

Position on major issues

Position on major issues

Abortion and reproductive policy

Standing up for the sanctity of life and defending the unborn

Official record

Voted Yes on OGSR/Parental Consent Requirements Before Terminating a Pregnancy

Apr 29, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Agriculture and rural policy

Protecting our environment and water quality to maintain our rich agricultural sector.

Official record

Voted Yes on OGSR/Aquaculture Records

Feb 4, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Apr 29, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Artificial intelligence

Official record

Voted Yes on Data Centers

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Use of Artificial Intelligence by Governmental Agencies to Detect Concealed Firearms

Apr 24, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Civil rights and freedoms

Official record

Voted Yes on Commencement of Civil Actions

Feb 17, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Immigrants are being targeted because of the color of their skin. Read full quote

Defend equal protection under the law for all residents. Protect Black and Latino communities from racial profiling. Strengthen oversight and accountability for detention centers. Ensure humane immigration policies and protection for immigrant families. Advance transparency and public accountability in government.

Uphold The Constitution The Constitution of the United States is clear in it's mandate that all men, women and children are created equal. Read full quote

+1 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Criminal justice and policing

Giving our men and women in law enforcement the tools they need to keep us - and themselves - safe.

Curbing abuses in our court system that drive up the cost of property insurance and make home affordability more difficult.

Education Empowering parents to play a more direct role in their child's education - including having the ability to send their child to a school that best meets their needs. Read full quote

+81 more

Inmigrants are not Criminals Inmigrants Are Not Criminals All Inmigrants regardless of Inmigration status are protected by the Constitution and are entitled to due process. Read full quote

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Economy, jobs and wages

Business Growth and Economic Honors: Canady heavily focuses on maintaining a pro-business environment in Florida by cutting regulatory overhead and opposing corporate tax hikes. Read full quote

Official record

Voted Yes on Public Employees Relations Commission

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on OGSR/Administration of Small Business Loan Programs Held by an Economic Development Agency

Mar 9, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+6 more

Small businesses the ones that lift up our neighborhoods and our communities are being crushed by this economy. Costs are unbearable, economic policies have failed, and unnecessary tariffs are making it harder than ever just to survive in Florida. Many business owners are struggling to keep their doors open.

Address the affordable housing and rent crisis. Support small businesses with fair regulations and access to capital. Promote economic policies that lower the cost of living. Encourage responsible development that benefits working families.

Economic Opportunity: His platform supports local job growth and small business health, leaning on his background in business and marketing consulting to advocate for robust local economies.

No public positions found.

Education

Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Governor DeSantis to protect our children from indoctrination in the classroom

Education Empowering parents to play a more direct role in their child's education - including having the ability to send their child to a school that best meets their needs. Read full quote

Official record

Voted Yes on Higher Education

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+90 more

Children and education are the foundation of a strong society. Every child deserves the tools, resources, and support necessary to succeed. When I take the oath of office, that will be one of my highest priorities.

Teachers Pay Increase Teachers play the most valuble role in our communities. Read full quote

Increase teacher salaries to retain and attract top educators. Read full quote

Education and School Funding: Washington strongly champions expanding resources for public classrooms, pushing for increased school funding to support teachers and students.

No public positions found.

Elections and voting

Official record

Voted Yes on Elections

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Candidate Qualification

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Security for Nominees and Officers-elect to the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+8 more

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Energy

Official record

Voted Yes on Rural Electric Cooperatives

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Mar 5, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources

Apr 30, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+3 more

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Environment and climate

Protecting our environment and water quality to maintain our rich agricultural sector.

Official record

Voted Yes on Petroleum Cleanup Programs

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Permits

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+30 more

Protect Florida’s water resources and promote conservation. Safeguard natural ecosystems and public lands. Strengthen enforcement against animal abuse. Ensure environmental responsibility for future generations.

Public Safety & Community Protection Protect Florida’s water resources and promote conservation. Safeguard natural ecosystems and public lands.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Families and social services

Official record

Voted Yes on Children’s Initiatives

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Out-of-home Placement Providers and Treatment Facilities

Mar 4, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations

Mar 3, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+5 more

Unfortunately many of our children that come from most of the lower income neighborhoods do not have the opportunity to participate because their parents can't afford it or they come from single parent homes and cannot afford the registration fees. Read full quote

Increase teacher salaries to retain and attract top educators. Read full quote

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Firearms policy

Protecting our Constitutional rights and the Right to Bear Arms

Official record

Voted Yes on Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer

Jan 15, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Use of Artificial Intelligence by Governmental Agencies to Detect Concealed Firearms

Apr 24, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+4 more

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Government reform

Official record

Voted Yes on Judges

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Justice Administrative Commission

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Public Records/Body Camera Recordings Recorded by a Code Inspector

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+17 more

Defend equal protection under the law for all residents. Protect Black and Latino communities from racial profiling. Strengthen oversight and accountability for detention centers. Ensure humane immigration policies and protection for immigrant families. Advance transparency and public accountability in government.

Uphold The Constitution The Constitution of the United States is clear in it's mandate that all men, women and children are created equal. Read full quote

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Healthcare

Official record

Voted Yes on Health Care

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Uterine Fibroid Research Database

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Permits

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+96 more

As Vice President of the Extended Congressional Delegation for Puerto Rico, Florida Chapter, I have worked to advance legislation to bring equal rights, the presidential vote, and fair access to healthcare and federal benefits for residents of the island — as well as for the veterans and active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces.

The rules, requirements, and regulations are as follows: All facilities must be maintained clean and free of waste and debris. Read full quote

Increase teacher salaries to retain and attract top educators. Read full quote

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Housing

Curbing abuses in our court system that drive up the cost of property insurance and make home affordability more difficult.

Official record

Voted Yes on Local Housing Assistance Plans

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Housing for Veterans

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+11 more

Owning a home is now a luxury for the wealthy. The American Dream is being denied to working people. And meanwhile, insurance companies take advantage of everyday families with no consequences.

Address the affordable housing and rent crisis. Support small businesses with fair regulations and access to capital. Promote economic policies that lower the cost of living. Encourage responsible development that benefits working families.

Affordable Housing and Cost of Living: A premier focus of Washington's campaign is bringing structural relief to local families. He advocates for aggressive measures to stabilize skyrocketing property insurance premiums and homeowners' property taxes to keep living expenses manageable.

No public positions found.

Immigration

Official record

Voted Yes on Employment Eligibility

Jan 15, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Advertisements for Representation Services

Apr 24, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Employment Eligibility

Apr 23, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+2 more

As a human rights advocate, I have marched and rallied for the release of political prisoners in Cuba and Venezuela. I have defended the rights of immigrants seeking legal status and have stood firm in protecting their constitutional right to due process as they pursue political asylum.

All detention facilities in the State of Florida will be subject to strict oversight and regulation by the Florida State Legislature. Failure to comply with these standards will result in the immediate termination of their operating permit and the permanent closure of the facility.

Immigrants are being targeted because of the color of their skin. Read full quote

+3 more

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Infrastructure and transportation

Upgrading our infrastructure to ease traffic congestion and allow for greater economic activity.

Infrastructure, University, and Emergency Funding: She heavily prioritizes channelling public state funds back to Polk County. Read full quote

Official record

Voted Yes on Department of Management Services

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+35 more

No public position found.

Infrastructure and Commercial Tech: Unlike some candidates who favor halting tech growth, Washington's platform explicitly opposes data center moratoriums, arguing instead that Florida should embrace commercial data infrastructure to foster low-impact, high-fiscal jobs for the community.

No public positions found.

Local control

Official record

Voted Yes on Assessments Levied on Recreational Vehicle Parks

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Official Actions of Local Governments

Mar 10, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Prohibited Governmental Policies Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mar 5, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+5 more

This campaign is about defending democracy, protecting working people, our families, and reclaiming the soul of this nation. We will take away the power from Tallahassee and give it back to our cummunity. Our residents know what is best for them. District 50 Help is on the way!

No public position found.

No public positions found.

National security and foreign policy

Official record

Voted Yes on Concurrent Legislative Jurisdiction over United States Military Installations

Feb 17, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Social Security and retirement

Official record

Voted Yes on Retirement

May 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Retirement

Feb 19, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Retirement

Jun 16, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+1 more

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Taxes and government spending

Cutting taxes to help provide relief to those suffering at the pump and grocery store.

Protecting Florida's position as the most fiscally sound state in the nation to keep our bond rating AAA and lower costs to taxpayers.

Official record

Voted Yes on Property Tax Administration

Jun 2, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+47 more

Teachers Pay Increase Teachers play the most valuble role in our communities. Read full quote

Uphold The Constitution The Constitution of the United States is clear in it's mandate that all men, women and children are created equal. Read full quote

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Technology and privacy

Official record

Voted Yes on Local Government Cyber Security

Mar 12, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Data Centers

Mar 11, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Local Government Cyber Security

Mar 4, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+6 more

No public position found.

Infrastructure and Commercial Tech: Unlike some candidates who favor halting tech growth, Washington's platform explicitly opposes data center moratoriums, arguing instead that Florida should embrace commercial data infrastructure to foster low-impact, high-fiscal jobs for the community.

No public positions found.

Veterans

Official record

Voted Yes on Veterans Dental Care Grant Program

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Veterans

May 2, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Veterans

Apr 30, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+1 more

As Vice President of the Extended Congressional Delegation for Puerto Rico, Florida Chapter, I have worked to advance legislation to bring equal rights, the presidential vote, and fair access to healthcare and federal benefits for residents of the island — as well as for the veterans and active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Animals and wildlife

Official record

Voted Yes on Dangerous Dogs

Apr 30, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on Dangerous Dogs

Apr 23, 2025 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

Emergency management

Infrastructure, University, and Emergency Funding: She heavily prioritizes channelling public state funds back to Polk County. Read full quote

Official record

Voted Yes on Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor

Mar 13, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

Voted Yes on OGSR/Persons Provided Public Emergency Shelter

Mar 9, 2026 · Passed · Source: Open States, linked to official Florida Senate records.

+6 more

No public position found.

No public position found.

No public positions found.

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