The incumbent, Democrat Yvonne Hayes Hinson, is not seeking re-election, meaning the race for District 21, which covers parts of Alachua and Marion counties, is an open seat. Five Democrats have qualified for their party’s primary, and as they are the only candidates in the race, the Democratic primary in August will be a Universal Primary Contest. That means it will be open to all voters in the district, and the August election will decide the race.
News4JAX sent questionnaires to each candidate asking about their background and views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
Recommended Videos
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES |
Sylvain Dore
Campaign website: None found
Campaign social media: Facebook
The Democratic candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
Antione Fields
Campaign website: www.fieldsforflorida.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
The Democratic candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
Xavier J. Monroe
Occupation: I am a Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation, where I focus on how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, affect jobs, workers, and regional economies. My work centers on making sure innovation creates opportunity for working families and communities rather than leaving them behind.
Age: 36
Family: I grew up in East Gainesville and understand the hopes and challenges facing local families because I have lived them. I know what it means to work hard, stretch a paycheck, worry about rising costs, and want better opportunities for the next generation.
Those values were instilled by my family and community. My mother dedicated nearly three decades to serving students and families at M.K. Rawlings Elementary School. My family has deep roots in the Sugar Hill and Porters neighborhoods, and on my father’s side, in Williston and across North Central Florida. My father spent decades working in Ocala’s horse industry and Gainesville’s construction materials industry.
I also grew up surrounded by a faith community at Compassionate Outreach Ministries, where the late Bishop Larry J. Dennison taught lessons that reinforced our family values of service, faith, compassion, and outreach. Being surrounded by individuals at home and in the community who had a spirit of selfless service shaped my belief that leadership begins with serving your community.
Education: I attended Alachua County Public Schools, including M.K. Rawlings Elementary School, Howard Bishop Middle School, and Eastside High School. I went on to earn degrees in Civil Engineering and History from the University of Florida; advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Michigan; a Master’s in Sociology; and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Sociology of Education from Stanford University.
Political experience: I’m not a career politician, and I didn’t spend my career climbing the political ladder. My public service has been rooted in this community and focused on solving practical problems.
As President of the Alachua County NAACP Youth Council, I helped lead youth-focused work on healthcare access, volunteered in local schools, supported stronger relationships between young people and public safety professionals, and partnered with the Supervisor of Elections to run mock elections to help students understand civic participation.
I also served on the Alachua County Library District Board of Trustees, a special taxing district, where we expanded library services, youth programs, and community access while working to avoid unnecessary tax increases.
I later served on the M.K. Rawlings Elementary School Advisory Council, where we worked to improve student outcomes and support the school community.
My community leadership experience also extends to other states. As a graduate student, I served on the United Way for Washtenaw County Board of Directors, where I worked to advance community partnerships and nonprofit service, and to connect families with resources.
Those experiences, along with my service as a Title I teacher and my current work as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation, taught me that good leadership starts with listening, bringing people together, and delivering results. Politics as usual is not working, and North Central Florida deserves a fresh voice focused on affordability, healthcare, education, public safety, and opportunity.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top issue I hear about is affordability. Families are working harder than ever, but housing, insurance, groceries, and other everyday costs keep rising faster than paychecks. I will focus on practical solutions that lower costs, expand economic opportunity, and help families keep more of what they earn.
The second issue is access to healthcare. Too many people struggle to find affordable care close to home. We need to strengthen our healthcare workforce, expand access to primary and mental healthcare, and support community-based solutions that improve outcomes and reduce costs.
The third issue is education and workforce opportunity. Every child deserves a quality education, and every adult should have pathways to good-paying jobs. I will work to strengthen public schools, support educators, and build partnerships that prepare students and workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring a combination of real-world experience, policy expertise, and independence that sets me apart from others in this race.
I’m not a Tallahassee insider, and this office is not a stepping stone for me. I am a son of East Gainesville, a product of our public schools, a former Title I teacher, and someone who has spent my career helping communities solve problems.
I will bring a fresh perspective to Tallahassee and remain accountable only to the people I hope to serve.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as someone who put people ahead of politics and delivered real results for North Central Florida.
I want people to say I helped make life more affordable, expanded access to healthcare and educational opportunity, protected our natural resources, and made sure North Central Florida had a stronger voice in Tallahassee.
Most of all, I want to be remembered as someone who never forgot where he came from, never lost sight of who he was serving, and always put this community first.
Campaign website: xavierforflorida21.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok
Malik J. Moore
Occupation: Community and Public Affairs Manager- Cox Communications
Age: 27
Family: Parents: Stan & Teresa Moore Dog: Bishop
Education: HS- P.K. Yonge DRS
AA- Santa Fe College (Political Science)
BS- Florida State University (Political Science)
MS-Florida State University (Applied American Politics and Policy)
Political experience: Campaign Coordinator for U.S. Representative Yvonne Hinson’s congressional campaign.
Managed campaign operations, coordinated volunteers, organized voter outreach efforts, and helped execute a successful field strategy focused on direct voter engagement. This role gave me firsthand experience connecting with communities, building grassroots support, and understanding the issues that matter most to voters.
Chief of Staff to Florida State Representative Dianne Hart.
Oversaw legislative strategy, constituent services, budget priorities, and policy development while managing the day-to-day operations of a legislative office. Worked with local governments, community organizations, and state agencies to advance legislation and deliver results for constituents.
North Florida Political Director and Statewide Faith Outreach Director for Charlie Crist’s gubernatorial campaign.
Led regional political operations in across 36 counties, coordinated campaign efforts across North Florida, and built relationships with faith leaders and communities throughout the state to expand voter engagement and strengthen grassroots support.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I believe the top three issues facing Florida today are affordability, criminal justice reform, and education. When I launched my campaign, one of my first priorities was listening. I sent a survey to voters across the district to better understand the challenges they face every day. Regardless of background or political affiliation, these three issues consistently rose to the top.
Affordability remains the number one concern for many families. Floridians are struggling with rising housing costs, skyrocketing property insurance premiums, and the increasing cost of everyday necessities. I believe we need practical solutions that increase housing opportunities, bring more competition into the insurance market, provide targeted tax relief, and lower the cost of living so working families can build financial security.
Criminal justice reform is another priority. We can protect public safety while creating a more effective justice system. I support expanding rehabilitation programs, strengthening workforce reentry opportunities, and reducing recidivism by giving first-time, non-violent offenders who demonstrate rehabilitation a genuine second chance to become productive members of our communities.
Education is the foundation of Florida’s future. Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, regardless of where they live. I will fight to fully fund our public schools, support and retain teachers, expand career and technical education, and ensure our classrooms remain focused on preparing students for success rather than becoming battlegrounds for political agendas.
As a former Chief of Staff in the Florida House of Representatives, I worked on legislation addressing many of these issues and gained firsthand experience navigating the legislative process. That experience has prepared me to step into the Legislature on day one with the relationships, knowledge, and practical understanding needed to deliver meaningful results for the people of District 21.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart is that I combine extensive legislative experience with a lifetime of service to this community. Having served as Chief of Staff in the Florida House of Representatives, I understand how to navigate the legislative process, build bipartisan coalitions, and turn ideas into laws that improve people’s lives. Because of that experience, I won’t have to learn on the job, I can begin delivering for the people of District 21 on day one.
Just as importantly, I have been working in this community since I was a teenager. Those years of service have given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges families, small businesses, students, and seniors face every day. I’ve built relationships across our district by showing up, listening, and working alongside the people I hope to represent. That lived experience allows me to meet people where they are and advocate for solutions that reflect the real needs of our communities.
I also believe a state representative should do more than vote on bills. My office will be a resource for residents, local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations. I want to help bring more state resources back to District 21 by assisting organizations in identifying grant opportunities, navigating the appropriations process, and connecting with state agencies. Whether it’s helping a local nonprofit secure funding, supporting a municipality with infrastructure dollars, or helping residents access state programs and services, my goal is to ensure our community receives its fair share of the resources available in Tallahassee.
The people of District 21 are ready for meaningful change, and they shouldn’t have to wait for someone to learn how Tallahassee works. Many candidates will promise to fight for you. I offer something more: the experience, relationships, and proven ability to win those fights and deliver real results for our community from day one.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as someone who left District 21 and the state of Florida better than I found them. At the end of my service, I want people to be able to point to real, measurable improvements in their lives because of the work we accomplished together.
I want to be remembered for helping lower the cost of living, expanding opportunities for homeownership, and making it easier for hardworking families to build wealth and achieve the American dream.
I want to be remembered for advancing a criminal justice system that protects our communities while recognizing the value of redemption. A system that holds people accountable but also provides the education, job training, and rehabilitation necessary for individuals to successfully reenter society and become productive citizens. Justice should be about accountability, but it should also be about creating pathways to opportunity and reducing the likelihood that someone returns to the system.
I want to be remembered for ensuring that every child in District 21, regardless of their ZIP code or their family’s income had access to a high-quality public education. That our teachers were respected and paid fairly, our schools were safe and well-maintained, and every student had the resources and opportunities they needed to succeed.
More than anything, I hope people remember that I showed up. That when my community needed someone to listen, to fight, and to deliver results, I was there without hesitation. If, years from now, people can honestly say that their lives are better because I served, then I will consider my time in office a success.
Campaign website: www.mooreforfl.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram
Jacquelyn “Jackie” Randall
Occupation: Associate Professor of Respiratory and former-Mayor of Hawthorne
Age: 42
Family: I am the proud mother of three children. My family has been my greatest motivation for serving our community.
Education: B.S.-Cardiopulmonary Science and MBA- healthcare administration
Political experience: I was elected to the Hawthorne City Commission in 2019 and was selected by my fellow commissioners to serve as Mayor from 2021-2026.
Former board member of Florida league of mayors, Florida Black caucus of local elected officials (member only), Alachua County education foundation and Alachua County NAACP.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The biggest issues facing our district are affordability, access to healthcare, and strengthening public education. I will fight to lower insurance and everyday costs for working families, expand healthcare access in our rural communities, and fully support our public schools while creating more workforce training opportunities. My experience as both a healthcare provider and mayor has taught me how to bring people together and deliver practical solutions.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring firsthand experience serving our community both as a frontline healthcare provider and as a small-town mayor. I’ve cared for families during their most difficult moments, secured millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements, expanded educational opportunities, and worked every day to solve problems rather than score political points. I understand the unique challenges facing rural communities because I’ve lived them, and I’ll be a strong, accessible voice for District 21 in Tallahassee.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope people remember that I fought for working families, strengthened our public schools, protected access to healthcare, and made sure rural communities finally had a seat at the table. Most of all, I want to be remembered as someone who listened, showed up, and delivered real results for the people I was elected to serve.
Campaign website: jackieforflorida.com
Campaign social media: Facebook