“I’m running for re-election to the Florida House of Representatives in order to continue fighting for solutions that lower the cost of living, increase economic opportunity, expand access to healthcare, and protect our democracy for future generations of Americans.”
~Rep. Kelly Skidmore
MEET KELLY
Kelly Skidmore has more than two decades of legislative experience in Tallahassee, where she has been advocating for our community as a State Representative since 2020. She previously served in the same role from 2006 to 2010 and worked as an aide to Ron Klein for 10 years during his time in the House and the Senate. In the State Capitol, Kelly’s focused on implementing commonsense measures to grow the economy, make life more affordable, expand access to healthcare, reduce property insurance rates, advance women’s rights, improve public schools, and defend our constitutional rights. She’s also committed to protecting Florida’s pristine natural environment and the quality of our water.
Over the course of her five terms in the State House, Kelly has earned the respect of her colleagues from both sides of the aisle for her ability to address complex problems by bringing people together behind pragmatic solutions rather than engaging in partisan antics. Her reputation for effectiveness is warranted and demonstrable, with tens of millions of dollars secured for projects and programs benefitting Palm Beach County. Whether addressing the urgent issues of the moment, in the way she cracked down on dangerous "pill mills" at the height of the opioid epidemic, or diligently tending to matters requiring long-term attention like the health of Florida’s pension system, Kelly’s principled leadership produces results. She’s running for re-election to continue the push to make Florida a state worthy of its beautiful and diverse residents.
In addition to serving the public in her capacity as a legislator, Kelly has enjoyed a career in non-profit management spanning decades. Notable posts include stints as CEO at the Palm Beach County Medical Society and Director of Public Policy at the Marine Industries Association of Florida. Kelly and her husband Ray have lived in Boca Raton, where they raised their daughter Mary Alice, since 1987.
KELLY'S RECORD & PRIORITIES
Increasing Economic Opportunity and Affordability
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Supporting small businesses through smart tax policies aimed at helping them expand
operations and hire more employees -
Successfully fighting to eliminate taxes on commercial leases
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Securing millions of dollars in appropriations for adult workforce training programs
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Passing sales tax holidays to give consumers much-needed breaks
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Working to create an ecosystem of opportunity as an active member of the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
Improving Access to Quality Healthcare
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Holding the insurance industry accountable by forcing them to focus on patients – not just profits
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Pushing to expand Medicaid access by accepting federal dollars to provide coverage to the poorest residents of our state
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Passing legislation mandating 12 months of Medicaid coverage for post-partum moms
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Passing a bill allowing patients to bypass "step therapy" protocols, which insurers use to delay access to prescription drugs and effective treatments which they deem too costly
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Sponsoring legislation to facilitate free dental screenings for our state’s K-12 students
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Securing $300,000 in the state budget for breast and cervical cancer screenings and millions for research and the treatment of Sickle Cell Anemia
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Enacting a law to subsidize healthcare coverage for kids who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid yet cannot obtain coverage through private health
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Delivering resources and support for rural hospitals
Addressing the Property Insurance Crisis
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Sponsoring the bill to create a shared insurance risk pool designed to reduce financial strain, dilute liability, promote market stability, and lower insurance rates
Advancing the Rights of Women and the Historically Disenfranchised
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Sponsoring legislation to finally ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
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Fiercely protecting access to abortion services and reproductive freedom
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Opposing the legislative majority’s outrageous racial gerrymandering scheme as Ranking Member on the Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee
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Supporting the LGBTQ community by backing legislation to codify basic rights into law, such as the Competitive Workforce Act
Standing Up for Students, Teachers and Public Education
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Supporting increased funding for Florida’s public schools, vocational and technical programs, and public colleges and universities
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Making the case for teachers to be paid competitive, dignified salaries
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Arguing against the whitewashing of our nation’s complex, and at times uncomfortable, history
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Advocating for a ban on military-style assault weapons like those used in the preventable
massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland
Defending Democracy and Our Constitutional Rights
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Pushing back on attempts to ban vote-by-mail ballots
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Standing up for the rule of law, the peaceful transfer of power, and free and fair elections
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Restoring the voting rights of felons who have paid their debts to society
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Protecting the Environment and Water Quality
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Creating the Office of the Ocean Economy, housed at Florida Atlantic University, to study and protect the health of the sea
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Bringing home millions of dollars for water purification and treatment facilities as well as
Everglades restoration projects -
Sponsoring an act to ban toxic “forever chemicals” harmful to the environment and water supplies
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Establishing revenue streams to fund public awareness campaigns about recycling and
conservation -
Serving as Democratic Ranking Member on the Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
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