Booth\u2019s lone challenger so far, Eric Gray, is starting the year with significantly fewer resources. Gray, a Democrat, entered the House race in October<\/a> after previously running for Orange County Commission. He showed $15,860 raised in his first reporting period and spent $11,957, leaving him with less than $4,000 on hand at the end of the 2025.<\/p>\n Republican leaders have already signaled HD 35 remains a priority district this cycle. Booth is expected to receive full support from House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison and the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee<\/a>, the primary campaign arm for state House Republicans.<\/p>\n Before her election to the House, Booth spent more than 20 years working as an elementary school teacher and previously served on the Osceola County School Board.<\/p>\n Gray has spent decades leading nonprofit organizations in Orange County and has cited opposition to HB 1365, a 2024 homelessness-related measure sponsored by Garrison, as a central motivation for his campaign.<\/p>\n HD 35 covers parts of Orange and Osceola counties. According to the most recent L2 voter data<\/a>, the district is home to 42,837 Republicans and 41,806 Democrats as well as 48,995 third- and no-party voters.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Florida-Politics_728x100-1.png\")
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