(Above photo from state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani’s Facebook)
ORLANDO | Jeremy Sisson, the Republican candidate for state House District 47 (HD 47), sent an anti-LGBTQ mailer speaking only to male voters last week stating his position on several issues, including same-sex marriage and transgender rights, as compared to his opponent, Democratic state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani.
The mailer, which reads “MEN” at the top, lists Sisson’s stance as “supports traditional worldview on marriage and family” and “supports men not competing in women’s athletics” along with stating he supports 2nd amendment rights and shared parental responsibilities.
Beneath Sisson’s list, the mailer lists Eskamani as supporting marriage equality and gender fluidity as well as opposing 2nd amendment rights and parental responsibility.
“This mailer is just blatantly transphobic and homophobic,” Eskamani says, “and it is so out there it’s almost laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous.”
Eskamani, who calls herself more than an ally to the community — “I am an accomplice to the LGBTQ community” — says this kind of thinking is dangerous to have in Tallahassee.
“It’s also crazy that he sent this out only to men,” Eskamani says. “It perpetuates that old way of thinking that men tell women how to vote.”
Sisson, who is CEO of the commercial real estate brokerage firm Evan James and Associates, calls Eskamani a “career politician” in the mailer although Eskamani has only served in the Florida House since 2018 and has not held any public office prior.
“I’m 30 years old and have only been in public office for less than two years after winning my FIRST election in 2018 but cool story, bro,” Eskamani wrote on Facebook along with a photo of the mailer. “Maybe if you weren’t too scared to debate me we could talk about it!”
The last line of her post, Eskamani says, is a direct response to Sisson’s refusal to debate her.
“Several media outlets have offered to host a debate and he has refused to respond,” Eskamani says.
Watermark has reached out to Sisson for comment on his mailer.
While no debate is on the horizon, Eskamani is keeping busy by joining the Jedi Master himself, Mark Hamill, for a Get Out The Vote Florida phone bank.
“The force is strong with us, and I am beyond thrilled to be joining Mark Hamill for a #GOTV Florida Phone Bank!” Eskamani wrote on Facebook. “YOU are our only hope — join us Thursday at 3pm to take on the Dark Side!”
HD 47 covers parts of Orange County including Belle Isle, Edgewood, Winter Park and downtown Orlando.
Early voting in Orlando is open now through Nov. 1. Find early voting locations by going to OCFElections.com/Early-Voting-Locations. Vote-by-mail ballots drop-off will be available at all early voting locations. Election day is Nov. 3.
