Lashonda L.J. Holloway for Florida Congressional District 4
Article by Audrey Hopper, TPT Staff Writer
Within the newly drawn Florida Congressional District 4 is an up and coming congressional hopeful, Lashonda L.J. Holloway. A fourth generation Jacksonville native, Holloway is “pro-people”. Holloway is running in a district that was drawn by Florida Governor Ron Desantis in an attempt to silence Democratic voters. With a platform very different from that of her competitors, Holloway is focusing on listening to the voices of those in her district. Though she is in a largely Republican area of Florida her goal is clear: to protect rights and improve the lives of Floridians.
Holloway attended Howard University in Washington D.C. where she worked three jobs to pay for her education. One such job was with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she first began to get involved in politics. When asked the moment she knew she wanted to make a career out of helping people, she explained that she had begun working for Congresswoman Carrie Meeks after law school. While having this opportunity she began to see how much of politics in D.C. is decided by lobbyists.
“That was just disheartening to say the least… And to be honest with you, that's when I made the decision that if these guys aren’t gonna do what’s right that I’d make more money and use that money to help causes I believed in,” Holloway said. She was able to cite multiple instances where she felt a pull into politics, though she continued through other careers for years. When asked about the big picture of her path to politics she said, “The moral of the story is that although a dream may be deferred it never dies … if it’s in your heart, even if you try to run or you’re disgusted by the prospect, it doesn’t leave you.”
Though she has a unique path to running for office, Holloway is confident in her platform and the success of her campaign. Put in her own words, “I am pro-choice, and pro-people.” The main issues she is addressing in her platform are the housing crisis in Florida, affordable health care, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. Holloway wants to ensure that everyone has access to housing and health care, going as far as saying “we are not a third world country.” Being that Florida is one of the only states that didn’t expand Medicare, Holloway wants to extend that so that we can have a healthier state. “Abortions are absolutely healthcare,” she said. Addressing the big problems and ensuring bodily autonomy is a large issue in this election; an issue that will decide the way that many people vote.
“If I decide to engage in a fight it means that I believe in it and I believe I can win,” Holloway said. She was very passionate about these problems and believes that she can truly make a difference; Hollway does not take her vote lightly. Another large part of her platform is criminal justice reform. That plan includes “banning no knock warrants,” saying they cause more harm than good. Holloway argues there are other ways to ensure the capture of evidence or persons while maintaining safety for everyone. while still ensuring equity and the protection of constitutional rights.
Photo via Florida Politics.
We spoke about some current events happening around the country, including the actions of far-right Republicans. “We say one nation under God with indivisibility and justice for all … I am still crazy enough to believe that America can stick to her purpose; that’s what I run on everyday; that’s what makes me.”
Holloway went on to explain that while voting may have gotten America to where it is today (a lack of bodily autonomy and an increase in conservative legislation) voting can surely undo the damage that has been done. Holloway went on to say that, “young people are disillusioned and frustrated because they’ve seen people who are not civil and will not compromise, these are adults by the way, [and] I say to them: vote!” Holloway is a firm believer in the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, promising to vote in favor of that act as one of the first things she does if elected. “A government is only as strong as the people it represents”, she said; in other words, if the people don’t vote then nothing will change. Holloway couldn’t stress enough her belief in the founding principals of America. “I’m fighting for a hope and a future,” she said.
Believing in America makes her a unique candidate for Congress, as one of the few runners that wants to bring decorum back into American politics. When asked about the recent political stunt pulled by Governor Desantis, in which he moved 50 immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard using money from COVID-19 relief funds, Holloway couldn’t have been more clear with her stance on it: “We shouldn’t have to send people from state to state for a better life.” She listed off the ways the money could have been better spent to help Floridians rather than pulling a political stunt to rally the Republican voter base.
Holloway is for the people. Towards the end of our interview she turned the questions back on me. She began to ask me for my personal opinions because I live in her congressional district and she will be representing me. She asked for my thoughts on her platform and the issues that weigh heaviest on my mind. Having spoken to her multiple times now, I can say that Lashonda Holloway doesn’t take the responsibility of elected office lightly. “Keep your thoughts and your prayers, I believe in action,” she said with confidence.
L.J. Holloway has a passion for people; she says that it is “the Hollo-WAY”. If elected she will bring a new, fresh voice into American politics. A voice that is aiming to listen to the people she is representing, even through the attempts to silence them.
The views articulated in this piece are the writer’s own, and do not reflect the official stances of The Progressive Teen or HSDA at large.