Representative Anna V. Eskamani was born and raised in Orlando to working class immigrants from Iran who met in Florida while pursuing the American Dream. Anna carries her parents' struggle and sacrifices with her each day while fighting to build a government that works for the People, not elite special interests.
Anna never imagined she would run for public office, but that all changed in 2016 after the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub and President Trump’s victory. She knew change was necessary, and while trying to recruit other candidates to run for public office, community members and friends asked Anna why she wasn’t running.
That’s when it hit her -- if Anna could run and win, other fresh-faced potential candidates would be inspired to do the same, igniting a new generation of everyday people to run for office, and win.
Anna ran and won her first election in 2018, winning a seat previously held by a Republican, by building a massive grassroots, people-centered campaign that raised over $500,000 from 4,000+ individual donations and knocked on more than 40,000 doors with 500+ volunteers. After becoming a State Representative in 2019, Anna quickly rose to become a powerful statewide advocate on multiple issues, including public education, community safety, environmental protection, health care access, tax policy, affordable housing, and economic opportunity.
In Anna's 2020 campaign, she won two precincts carried by President Trump and won her reelection by 18%. Anna now serves as the Democratic Ranking Member of both the Reform Subcommittee and the Ways & Means Committee, while also serving on the Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee, Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, and Professions & Public Health Subcommittee.
As a State Representative, Anna has served Floridians all across the state during the COVID-19 crisis. Anna and her small, dedicated team personally served over 50,000 Floridians across 64 counties to navigate Florida's broken unemployment system. Anna not only secured millions of dollars of benefits for unemployed Floridians, but she’s fought for housing assistance, tax breaks for everyday families and holds the largest corporations accountable too. Floridians have rallied behind Anna due to her unmatched work ethic, deep devotion to public service, and her ability to get things done for Floridians. That’s why she was proud to launch People Power For Florida and continues to serve her community while organizing statewide.
Rep. Eskamani’s proudest possession is her 2018 “I Voted” sticker, self-describes her sleep schedule as non-existent, and she never gets tired of learning, her cats, and Star Wars.
REP. ANNA V. ESKAMANI
Founder
(she/her)
Originally born in Caracas, Venezuela but raised in Broward County, Juan is a staunch advocate for voting rights and the empowerment of minority communities. After registering hundreds of students to vote as a student fellow for NextGen America as a UCF student, he worked as a field organizer for tbe Progressive Turnout Project in 2020 helping turnout Democrats in 6 crucial swing states. Now at People Power, Juan leads the field team of student fellows that register students to vote across the state year round!
Juan thinks the best bev is an Arnold Palmer, his most prized possession is his PS5, his celebrity crush is Dua Lipa… and he’s always talking about BLIMPS.
JUAN ARDILA
Organizing Director
(he/himmy)
Allison cares deeply about ensuring every Floridian can access their right to vote—and travels the state to help communities find their power. After working in the Florida Legislature and for several progressive campaigns across the state, she has found her home at PPFF—where she gets the unique honor of crafting creative communications along with ✨unhinged✨ and ✨trendy✨ social media content.
If she could travel anywhere in the world it would be La Push Beach from Twilight, she can make a mean friendship bracelet, and will almost always have a dog stroller with her at all times.
ALLISON MINNERLY
(she/her)
Communications Director
RACHEL GERSTENBERGER
Statewide Organizing Coordinator
(she/her)
Rachel Gerstenberger is a current senior at University of Central Florida! She’s majoring in Humanities and Cultural Studies and minoring in Women's and Gender studies as well as Education. She’s super passionate about reproductive justice and serves as a Planned Parenthood Peer Educator as well as an E-board member for UCF's Planned Parenthood Generation Action RSO! In Rachel’s free time, she loves to create art and play with her cat! She’s thrilled to be a part of People Power For Florida's initiative and look forward to being able to bring about positive change to our community!
She thinks low rise jeans are criminal, dreams of owning a Subaru Crosstek Hybrid, and DEFINITELY isn’t in witness protection.
Larry is a long-time resident of Rep. Eskamani's District, which means his SUV and two-wheel dolly are also frequently in demand at rallies. Larry spent 35 years working in research, marketing, and communications for radio stations and TV networks. He moved to Orlando to help start XL106.7FM and spent over 20 years as VP Research at NBCUniversal's Golf Channel. PPFF is drawing upon his knowledge of and experience with phone bank management, consumer list targeting, and motivational messaging in his role as a Statewide Community Organizer focusing on phone outreach. Larry's eager to put his efforts into getting more Florida residents to vote more often after spending decades trying to get golfers to watch TV ten minutes longer.
His coffee order is a black coffee from Dunkin—and on days he feels a little wild, maybe a cold brew. He thinks the movie Airplane deserved an Oscar and he also doesn’t believe in ghosts—just Deja Vu.
LARRY KAHN
(he/him)
Phonebank Organizer
ANJA SCHWARZBAUER
Gainesville Organizer
(she/her)
Anja Schwarzbauer (she/her) is a first year student at the University of Florida Honors College who is double majoring in International Studies and Journalism. When she is not canvassing, she can be found watching 30 Rock or writing an article for her column, The Orange Peel, under Prism Magazine. Anja is ecstatic to be continuing her journey with #TeamAnna through PPFF and is infinitely grateful for an opportunity to work with peers who share her political passions!
Her favorite joke is anything that comes out of her mouth, she would resurrect David Bowie from the dead, and is proudly her own celebrity crush.
ALEXIS HOBBS
Tampa Organizer
(she/her)
Alexis is a second year environmental science and political science major at USFSP! She is the President of PPGA USFSP, the Voter Engagement Coordinator for College Dems, and a Senator for Student Government. She is so excited to be an organizing fellow here in Tampa Bay and put the political power in the peoples hands during the 2024 election season!
Her catchphrase is SLAY, cleverly hides her talent for crocheting, has Taylor Swift themed tattoos, and literally despises vegetables.
CJ CHINN
(he/him)
Tallahassee Organizer
CJ is a 4th year international affairs major at FSU, focusing on East Asia. He took two years of Japanese language classes, and his goal is to work for the CIA after graduation (but not really in the spy way). He’s currently a student senator representing his college and his current project is creating affordable Plan B vending machines on campus. He has a one-eyed dog named Maya and a chunky cat named Sunny, but he’s definitely more of a cat person.
While he can’t bake he aspires to go on The Great British Bake Off, the theme song of his life would be Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand, and he’s on YIMBY TikTok.
KASSANDRA TOUSSAINT
Kassie is a political science major at FIU, lover of all people and chronic TikTok user. She’s hoping she can leave the word a little better than how she found it and aspires to make a difference in the world ☺️
Tom Holland is her celebrity crush—and she supports short kings. She’d love to appear on a reality cooking show and can be found using the word “pookie” as frequent as possible.
Miami Organizer
(she/her)
ROXANE PERRET
Roxane (she/her/hers) earned her Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2021. She is currently in the Master’s of Social Work program at UCF and is set to graduate this August. Before starting at PPFF, she was the LGBTQ+ Sexual Violence Awareness Specialist at the Victim Service Center of Central Florida. She was a volunteer for PPFF as well, and did outreach at multiple different events around Orlando. She is passionate about breaking down barriers to voting registration, and bringing awareness to critical issues that impact Floridians.
Her favorite musical is Les Misérables, biggest fear is 100% bears, and adores dolphins.
Orlando Organizer
(she/her)
RUTH BADER GINSBARK
Chief Pet Officer
(she/her)
Ruth is a Merritt Island native with a passion for pawlicy and people. A graduate of Bark Orlando, her Central Florida ties are strong and play a huge role in her work at PPFF as CPO. When she’s not at the park or playing with her extensive collection of toys, she can be found tagging along with her mom at events and leading outreach to furry friends.
Her favorite toy is her Princess Castle Burrow, she’s a cheese connoisseur, and she thinks Doug from UP is the best fictional character of our time. Additionally, she’d love to steal your sock and lick your face.
RAYMER MAGUIRE
Raymer Maguire is doing just about everything to save the state of Florida. Whether it was co-founding our organization in 2021, working on Florida ballot initiatives, or leading on different issues, Raymer has been there and done that.
His first side-hustle was operating a series of gumball machines, he loves his Dobermans, and his favorite fast casual restaurant is Olive Garden because when you’re there, you’re family.
Co-Founder
(he/him)