Rachel Plakon Explained

Rachel Plakon
State House:Florida
District:36th
Predecessor:Scott Plakon
Term Start:November 8, 2022
Birth Name:Rachel Saunders
Children:1
Party:Republican
Education:Oral Roberts University (BA)
Florida International University (MBA)

Rachel Saunders Plakon is an American politician serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 36th district. She assumed office on November 8, 2022.

Education

Plakon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass media communication and journalism from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University.[1]

Career

In 2001 and 2002, Plakon served as a community liaison and spokesperson for Governor Jeb Bush.[2] She later worked as a real estate agent for Keller Williams Realty and land specialist for NAI Realvest. Since 2018, Plakon has been a member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She also owns a real estate investment company.[3]

In the 2022 Florida House of Representatives elections, Plakon ran against Deborah Poulalion for the District 36 House of Representatives seat.

In March 2023, Plakon sponsored HB 1521 in the Florida State Senate, an anti-trans bathroom bill,[4] which is supported by Florida District 29 Representative Webster Barnaby, a Republican from Deltona who called trans people "demons" and "mutants".[5] The bill, titled the "Safety in Private Spaces Act," considers it trespassing for a person to enter a bathroom opposite of their assigned sex at birth. A maximum penalty of trespassing in this case could be a prison term of one year or a fine of $1,000.[6]

In the 2024 United States elections, Plakon was reelected to the Florida District 36 House of Representatives seat. [7]

References

  1. Web site: Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Eleven to the Florida Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission . 2022-12-08 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Powers . Scott . 2022-05-23 . Rachel Plakon picks up Paul Renner's endorsement in HD 36 . 2022-12-08 . . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2022-11-09 . Rachel Plakon wins Florida House District 36 . 2022-12-08 . WESH . en.
  4. Web site: Bill tracking in Florida - HB 1521 (2023 legislative session) - FastDemocracy . 2023-04-11 . fastdemocracy.com . en-US.
  5. Web site: Florida lawmaker compares trans people to 'mutants', calling them 'demons and imps' . 2023-04-11 . Yahoo News . 11 April 2023 . en.
  6. Web site: 2023-07-05 . Florida's New Bathroom Law Has Gone Into Effect. What Does That Mean For Trans People? . 2024-09-30. them . en.
  7. Web site: Rachel Plakon. Ballotpedia. 10 November 2024.