Anna Eskamani, Maxwell Frost make "25 Young(ish) New Democrats to Watch"

Orlando-based lawmakers Frost and Eskamani Credit: Maxwell Frost/Instagram (Left) | Gustavo Ponce (Right)

Younger generations are rapidly vying for seats at the politically prominent adults’ table — and that continues to ring true in Orlando, where two area representatives have been named in New York magazine’s “25 Young(ish) New Democrats to Watch.”

Rep. Anna Eskamani (35) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (28) this week were highlighted in the publication’s rundown of young political changemakers. Both were credited with working to maintain progressive values in the face of Florida’s overwhelmingly right-wing climate.

“Although they don’t run the country yet, the visions of these young Democratic politicians speak to the problems the party is grappling with: how to deliver on working-class issues, expand the party’s tent while still holding onto their values, and stand up to the current administration,” the story reads. “They also give us a glimpse not just of the themes we will see in the coming elections but in the years ahead.”

The list comprises individuals mostly under 40 who have in some way indicated promising potential in the political ring, without yet being household names.

Eskamani, who launched her campaign for Orlando mayor this year, was the first Iranian American elected to any public office in Florida when she joined the state legislature in 2018.

She’s rallied for abortion rights, affordable housing and public transit, high-quality health care and equality, to name a few of her focuses. In recent months, she joined several other lawmakers in launching a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis after they were refused entry to the Everglades immigration detention center, “Alligator Alcatraz.”

New York magazine highlights her passage of a permanent tax exemption on diapers statewide. Next on her task list is a 2027 mayoral win.

Rep. Frost, who has endorsed Eskamani for Orlando mayor, was first elected to the Florida House in 2022 as the very first Gen Z member of Congress. He remains the youngest member and continues to advocate for affordable housing, gun control, fair healthcare costs, justice reform, voting rights and more.

He’s the mind behind MadSoul Music and Arts Festival, which he and friends launched in 2015 to uplift civic engagement and social justice issues. It’s grown to host thousands of attendees, with big-name headlining acts and guest speakers like Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, songwriter-actor-playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, the band MUNA and more.

Others included in NY mag’s list include Boston Mayor Michelle Wu; the first openly trans woman elected in Montana, Zooey Zephyr; youngest state-party chair in the country Anderson Clayton; “shapeshifting” oysterman and veteran Graham Platner; and Lauren Underwood, the first Black woman voted into House Democratic leadership since Shirley Chisholm.

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Anna Eskamani, Maxwell Frost make “25 Young(ish) New Democrats to Watch”

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