Beginning today, January 6, registered voters in select areas of Orange and Osceola counties are able to early vote in the District 35 Florida House Special Election. The race became necessary after Fred Hawkins Jr. resigned in 2023 to become President at South Florida State College. The special election features two candidates: Republican Erika Booth, a member of the Osceola County School Board with a strong background in elementary education, and Democrat Tom Keen, a Navy veteran and Lake Nona businessman.