Former Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book is officially running for Senate District 30 to replace outgoing Boca Raton Sen. Tina Scott Polsky.
Book, a nationally recognized child safety advocate who represented parts of Broward County in the Senate from 2016 to 2024, announced her campaign with a coalition of Democratic endorsements behind her.
Her backers include Polsky, Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman of Boynton Beach, and Sen. Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach.
Book’s entry to the race comes one day after Polsky announced she will not seek another term representing SD 30, which covers part of Boca Raton in Palm Beach County and all or part of Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Margate, North Lauderdale, Parkland and Pompano Beach in Broward.
In a statement, Book called Polsky “an exceptional advocate for our community” who will be “sorely missed” once she steps away from public service.
“It was an honor to serve with her in the State Senate,” Book said. “I am committed to continuing the fight to make Florida more affordable for working families and seniors, to keep our children and our community safe, to protect our fundamental freedoms, and to stand up for those who have been silenced or ignored.”
Polsky, in her endorsement message, highlighted Book’s personally informed work as CEO of the nonprofit Lauren’s Kids, whose Safer, Smarter Schools curriculum is used in classrooms across Florida and nationwide to protect children against sexual abuse.
Lauren’s Kids recently received a national Gracie Award, an honor shared this year with Oprah Winfrey, from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for its grooming-prevention video. And on May 1, Book completed her 11th annual “Walk in My Shoes” trek, a 1,500-mile journey from Key West to Tallahassee, to raise awareness about childhood abuse.
“Lauren Book has spent her life turning pain into purpose and fighting for people who too often go unheard,” said Polsky, who has represented SD 30 since 2020. “She is one of the most compassionate, relentless, and effective advocates I have ever had the pleasure of serving with — and Florida Senate District 30 would be extraordinarily well represented by her leadership once again.”
Berman praised Book’s caucus leadership “during some of the most challenging moments in recent Florida history,” a job, she said, done with “strength, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to fighting for Florida families.”
“Lauren understands both the policy and the people behind it, and she has never lost sight of who she’s fighting for,” Berman said. “I am proud to support her campaign.”
Bernard, who previously served in the House and on the Palm Beach County Commission, called Book “a fearless voice for children, survivors, and communities that too often feel overlooked by those in power.”
“She knows how to build coalitions, deliver meaningful change, and lead with both compassion and conviction,” he said. “I’m excited to support her return to the Florida Senate.”
During her eight years in the Senate, where her peers elected her Democratic Leader in April 2021, Book helped pass Florida’s historic bipartisan gun safety law after the Parkland massacre and successfully worked to twice expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers and infants, end the state’s tax on diapers and adult incontinence products, and broaden mental health care access for first responders.
She also passed some of the nation’s toughest child protection laws and measures targeting human trafficking, digital voyeurism, “revenge porn” and sexually explicit deepfakes.
She reached term limits in November 2024 after serving two consecutive four-year terms. Florida lawmakers are limited to eight consecutive years in either chamber, but the restriction is not permanent, meaning Book can run again after leaving office.
The mother of 9-year-old twins, Book would also be the only Jewish woman in the Senate if elected, as Berman is also set to leave the chamber in November due to term limits.
Book, who had previously filed to run in the 2028 race for Senate District 37, may not enjoy a smooth path to her party’s nomination. Coral Springs Rep. Dan Daley, a fellow Democrat, said this week that he is taking “a serious look” at running for SD 30, noting he has “spent years preparing for the possibility” and lives within the district.
Book also lives in Davie, outside of SD 30, and would have to move if elected.
Republican Jerusa Zitta, who filed in January, is currently the only other active candidate.
The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.