With the Florida legislative session beginning on Tuesday, freshman representative Mark Danish is looking forward to what can be accomplished.
The Democratic congressman, who represents District 63 (Lutz, Town N’ Country, and parts of Seminole Heights, Ybor and the USF area), won his seat in a surprise victory last November. The middle school science teacher waged an old-school style campaign, focusing less on advertising and more on face to face and phone interactions with his potential constituents.
After finishing his last day teaching for the school year on Friday, he’s headed to Tallahassee to begin the legislative period. Switching from the teaching life to one of a politician is a first in Hillsborough County politics, but Danish says figuring out a balance between the two has been smooth.
“The county’s been terrific, they've been very understanding. I think they like the idea that a teacher is going up there (Tallahassee), because it’s not a situation that’s happened before, that an active teacher has gone to the legislature from this town. I think they like the idea because they know someone is going up there to fight for them.”
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2013.