ORLANDO, Fla. — Quinnie Perez has won a seat on Orange County’s Soil and Water Conservation District Board, becoming Florida’s first openly transgender person elected to public office.
Perez, a community organizer and agricultural professional, will represent Seat 1. The district stretches across southwest Orange County, from Oakland and Winter Garden through Windermere to Lake Buena Vista.
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Her campaign focused on issues that touch everyday life in a growing county: protecting waterways, keeping soil healthy and managing stormwater as development expands.
From a farmworker family to public office
Perez grew up in North Florida as the daughter of Mexican immigrant farmworkers. Her family’s agricultural roots helped shape a campaign centered on the people who grow and harvest the food communities depend on.
She called for a stronger voice for farmworkers, fair treatment for agricultural workers and more sustainable farming practices.
Perez also brings more than a decade of experience in community organizing and coalition building.
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A focus on growth and conservation
As Orange County continues to develop, Perez has called for stronger stormwater management, soil protection and enforcement of rules meant to control runoff from construction sites.
She also campaigned to help residents understand how to protect local ecosystems and practice conservation at home.
The nonpartisan Soil and Water Conservation District Board has served Orange County for more than 75 years, working on plans and proposals to protect the area’s soil and water resources.
A milestone for representation
Perez’s campaign received endorsements from state Rep. Anna Eskamani and state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, as well as support from local and national LGBTQIA+ organizations.
Jeremy Armando Rodriguez, who is nonbinary, served as her campaign manager.
The victory marks a milestone for Florida’s transgender community while bringing Perez’s experience in agriculture and farmworker advocacy to local government.
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