St. Petersburg Rep. Michele Rayner has officially announced her candidacy for the District 16 state Senate seat, currently occupied by Sen. Darryl Rouson, who is set to leave due to term limits. A civil rights attorney, Rayner has been an advocate for the civil rights of Floridians and has served in the Florida House since 2020.

In her campaign announcement, she highlighted her commitment to protecting civil rights and fighting against what she perceives as a divisive political agenda from Governor Ron DeSantis. She expressed her desire to bring much-needed resources back to her community and ensure that the voices of Florida families are heard in the government. Rayner's announcement comes amid a competitive landscape, with Amaro Lionheart also filing to run for the Senate seat. She aims to maintain the Democratic stronghold in the district, which spans parts of south St. Petersburg and Hillsborough County.

Rayner's focus will be on unity and collaboration rather than conflict, appealing to voters concerned about divisive politics. With her experience and dedication, she hopes to make a significant impact in the state Senate.