Civoren
RH

Rita Harris

Democratic Party

Incumbent

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What is Rita Harris running for?

Race
Florida State House District 44
Incumbent
Yes

Community advocate and Democratic organizer who has represented Florida House District 44 (Orlando area) since 2022 and was re-elected in 2024 and 2026. She founded the Democratic Women's Club of South Orange County and has served as vice-chair of the Orange County Democratic Party. A longtime Orlando-area resident, she began as a teenage volunteer with Planned Parenthood and has focused on advocating for women and families.

Where does Rita Harris stand on the issues?

Rita Harris has a recorded position on six issues. Each is Civoren's summary of the campaign's own public material, with the source linked.

  • Affordable Housing

    Supports

    Supports affordable housing; sponsored HB 675 (2026), which would require certain incentives be used for the construction of affordable housing and extend the length of time rental units must remain affordable.

    “requiring certain incentives be used for the construction of affordable housing; revising upwards the length of time that certain rental units must remain affordable”

    ballotpedia.orgAs of August 2026

  • Environment & Sustainability

    Supports

    Supports environmental protection; sponsored HB 1019 (enacted 2026 as Chapter 2026-158) restricting PFAS 'forever chemicals' and HB 441 on conservation lands.

    “prohibiting, beginning on a specified date, certain use and [of aqueous film-forming foam]”

    ballotpedia.orgAs of August 2026

  • Healthcare Access & Affordability

    Supports

    Supports expanding health care and Medicaid access; sponsored HB 915 (enacted 2026), creating the Working People with Disabilities program, and other bills to expand Medicaid dental coverage and provider networks.

    “creating the Working People with Disabilities program within the Agency”

    ballotpedia.orgAs of August 2026

  • LGBTQ+ Rights

    Supports

    Outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights; sponsored HB 1235 (2025), which would prohibit the use of 'gay and transgender panic' defenses in Florida's court system.

    “Rita is an outspoken advocate for racial justice, and LGBQTIA+ rights”

    flhouse.govAs of August 2026

  • Reproductive Rights & Abortion

    Supports

    Advocates for reproductive health care and abortion access; began as a teenage Planned Parenthood volunteer and sponsored HB 681 (2026) to repeal Florida's prohibition on using state funds for travel for abortion services.

    “We must all work to legalize the reproductive health care that all civilized nations offer to women.”

    facebook.comAs of August 2026

  • Veterans

    Supports

    Supports veterans' services; sponsored HB 253 (enacted 2026 as Chapter 2026-166), which expanded Florida's Veterans Dental Care Grant Program.

    “revising the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program”

    ballotpedia.orgAs of August 2026

Education

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Endorsements for Rita Harris

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Support for Rita Harris · 9/15/2026

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Contact

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Others Running in This Election

View All Candidates Running for Florida State House District 44View full race