In the race for Florida House of Representatives, District 47, incumbent Paula Stark will face challenger Maria Revelles, the winner of the August Democratic primary.
District 47 was created two years ago and is carved out of the city limits of St. Cloud, Buenaventura Lakes, the north and west sides of West Lake Toho and Neptune Road.
Stark, named Orlando Magazine’s “Woman of the Year 2023,” is the Executive Director of St. Cloud Main Street, an economic development, historic preservation and revitalization organization. The Osceola High School graduate attended UCF when it was called Florida Technological University and spent nearly three decades in the newspaper business, working her way up to publisher. She said since she was elected in 2022, she has worked hard to reach across the aisle and represent all citizens.
“When someone comes to me with a need, I never ask if they are a Republican or Democrat,” she said.
Of the four bills she sponsored and dozens of bills that she co-sponsored that made it into law over the past two years, Stark says some of the work she is most proud of is the mobile home bill, which provides protections for mobile home residents; the mental health reform bill; and the autism bill. Regarding her work on the mobile home bill, Stark said, “Virtually all the mobile home parks in Florida are now owed by one of the three largest Hedge Funds in America. The parks that are owned by these Mega Corporations and that are not members of the FMHA have been flying under the radar and, in my opinion, are guilty of extremely bad behavior, and are taking advantage of our seniors and most vulnerable citizens. I won’t tolerate that.”
Stark says she looks forward to continuing working on the mental health reform and autism bills if she is reelected.
“I want my constituents to know that I didn’t get into politics to be a politician…. I did get into it to be your representative,” Stark said. “I believe that with my longevity in the community and having seen the changes as they have come, I have the ability to be a unifier, and that is my goal.”
Revelles was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Spain. She attended Syracuse University and Rollins College, and has worked as a Housing Commissioner in New York and a union leader and organizer.
Revelles says her experience working with diverse communities from Puerto Rico to Central Florida has prepared her to be a voice for everyone in the district, especially those who have been marginalized or left out of the conversation. “As a mother, a cancer survivor, a Latina, and a community leader, I am committed to advocating for women’s equality, the LGBTQ+ community, Medicaid expansion and ensuring that we build a district that is inclusive for all,” she said.
Revelles said two of the top issues she will address, if elected, will be ensuring affordable housing and economic stability for our community, and expanding access to quality healthcare for all. “I have seen too many families struggle with the rising cost of living, particularly when it comes to housing,” she said. “As someone who has worked alongside labor unions and community organizations, I know the importance of policies that support working families. I will push for stronger tenant protections, initiatives that promote affordable housing development, and policies that prevent people from being priced out of their own neighborhoods.
“Healthcare accessibility is another urgent issue for our district,” she added. “I will work tirelessly to expand access to affordable healthcare, particularly for women, immigrant communities, and the uninsured. I believe that everyone, regardless of income or background, should be able to receive quality healthcare.”
“I bring a fresh perspective, grounded in my lived experiences and years of grassroots organizing,” Revelles said. “I am running to bring real change to our district—change that reflects our values, our diversity, and our shared commitment to a better future.”
