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Bernie Sanders endorses St. Pete-based Kyandra Darling for the Florida House

  • Writer: Aleyah Conway
    Aleyah Conway
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read
Kyandra Darling is a proud fourth-generation native of St. Petersburg and a lifelong Democrat (Kyandra Darling)
Kyandra Darling is a proud fourth-generation native of St. Petersburg and a lifelong Democrat (Kyandra Darling)

The announcement came on Friday that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed St. Petersburg-based Kyandra Darling for Florida House district 62 - an open race for a seat currently held by State Representative Michele Rayner. 


The senator from Vermont posted the news to his social media channels on Friday morning, writing “Today, I am proud to endorse 61 progressives running for state and local office across America. They will fight for the kind of changes our country desperately needs.” 


So far, Darling is the only state and local candidate in Florida to be endorsed by Sanders - a distinction she noted in a Facebook post. 


“I am beyond honored to receive an endorsement from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a proven advocate for human rights,” Darling wrote. “As the only candidate endorsed in Florida, I understand the gravity of this moment, and I’m deeply honored to carry the torch for future leaders around our state and beyond!” 



The endorsement adds momentum to Darling’s candidacy. Her website boasts the backing of: 


  • Kathy Castor, U.S. Representative D14

  • Alan Clandenin, Tampa City Councilmember 

  • Harry Cohen, HIllsborough County Commissioner

  • Gina Driscoll, St. Petersburg City Councilmember 

  • Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg City Councilmember 

  • Eric Gerard, Former Largo City Commissioner

  • Pat Gerard, Former Mayor of Largo & Pinellas County Commissioner

  • Charlie Gerdes, Former St. Petersburg City Councilmember

  • Lisset Hanewicz, St. Petersburg City Councilmember

  • Bob Henriquez, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

  • Alan Johnson, Former Mayor of St. Pete Beach

  • Rick Kriseman, Former St. Petersburg Mayor 

  • John Muhammad, Former St. Petersburg City Councilmember

  • Frank Peterman, Former Florida State Representative

  • Alex Sink, Former Florida Chief Financial Officer

  • Cindy Stuart, Former Hillsborough County Clerk and Comptroller


Darling has two competitors for the August 18, 2026 primary election - Upton Fischer and Wengay Newton, who formerly represented district 70 in the Florida House. 


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