Michele K. Rayner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 3, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Wengay Newton |
| Constituency | 70th district (2020–2022) 62nd district (2022–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1981-09-25)September 25, 1981 (age 44) Clearwater, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Florida State University (BS,MS) Florida Coastal School of Law (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Michele Kenyette Rayner (born September 25, 1981) is an American attorney and politician. She has served as a member of theFlorida House of Representatives since 2020, representingDistrict 62 inPinellas andHillsborough Counties.[1]
Rayner was born and raised inClearwater, Florida.[2] She attendedFlorida State University, receiving herB.S. in international affairs and political science in 2003, andM.S. in international affairs in 2006.[3][4] After graduating fromFlorida Coastal School of Law in 2011 and being admitted to theFlorida Bar, she returned to Clearwater and worked as an assistantpublic defender in the state'sSixth Judicial Circuit, and then as a lawyer in private practice.[2]
Rayner is the lead counsel of Civil Liberty Law. She was also the local counsel of theNAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She is a member of the Fred G. Minnis Sr. Bar Association andDelta Sigma Theta.[5]
In 2020, Rayner ran for theFlorida House of Representatives seat vacated byWengay Newton, who opted to run for the Pinellas County Commission. Rayner raised $116,900 in campaign funds, over double that of her nearest competitor. Rayner garnered 31.3% of the vote against three other candidates in the Democratic primary, with second-place finisher Keisha Bell receiving 26.8%.[6][7] Rayner was elected without opposition in the general election.
Rayner is the first black lesbian woman elected to Florida's legislature. She was endorsed byEquality Florida, theFlorida Education Association, Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, U.S. RepresentativeCharlie Crist, and Florida state representativeJennifer Webb.[6][8][9] She was not endorsed by theStonewall Democrats of Pinellas County.[9]
In April 2022, Rayner argued that the effort to repeal theReedy Creek Improvement Act was emblematic of the "deep selfishness and the deep blind political ambition" ofRon DeSantis, and adding that it is "unconscionable" that he is doing this effort on the "backs of working people."[10]
On April 21, 2022, Rayner attempted to stage a sit-in demonstration to prevent a vote on Florida's congressional district maps.[11] Opponents of the tactic compared her actions to an insurrection.[12] The demonstration was ultimately unsuccessful.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michele Rayner | 7,998 | 31.3 | |
| Democratic | Keisha Bell | 6,858 | 26.8 | |
| Democratic | Michelle Grimsley | 5,998 | 23.4 | |
| Democratic | Mark Oliver | 4,733 | 18.5 | |
| Total votes | 25,587 | 100% | ||
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
