Chris Cate: Welcome to the Fluent in Floridian podcast, featuring the Sunshine State’s brightest leaders talking about the issue most important to the people of Florida and its millions of weekly visitors. In this episode created by SalterMitchell PR, our executive producer April Salter, the CEO of SalterMitchell PR, talks to state representative Anna Eskamani.

April Salter: Anna Eskamani is a first time representative in the Florida House representing a district that spans Orlando and Winter Park. She is the first Iranian-American to hold any elected office in Florida and she’s an impassioned advocate for women, the LGBTQ community and Florida’s immigrant communities, and I’m super excited to have her here today. Representative Eskamani, thanks so much for joining us on this episode of Fluent in Floridian.

Anna Eskamani: It’s an honor. Thank you for having me.

April Salter: Anna, tell us a little bit about your childhood and what it was like growing up in Central Florida. 

Anna Eskamani: I’d love to. My story very much is the Florida story. I’m a working-class daughter of immigrants as you mentioned from Iran. My parents actually came from two different parts of Iran, but they met in Central Florida working at the same doughnut shop. And, my dad was really shy to tell people he was Iranian. He was worried about the potential stigma that would come with that identity. My mom, on the other hand, was really bold in who she was. And so, she actually recognized my dad’s accent while they were working together and asked him where he was from. And he sheepishly told her that he was Iranian. They started speaking Farsi and the rest was history.

My Dad actually went to UCF as well in 1994. We’re part of a family of an older brother and a twin sister, Ida Eskamani. And, she’s also really involved in politics as well. And, we were going up just doing our best to achieve the American dream. Very little resources, but a wealth of love. And my dad, as I said, went to UCF. He actually became an engineer and working on Florida’s Space Coast launching rockets on the weekdays, and then worked at Walt Disney World on the weekends as a customer service representative just to make ends meet.

My mom had a degree from Iran she couldn’t use. So, she worked at fast food restaurants and eventually at Kmart where she was a department manager. And, that would actually be her last job because in 2004 we lost her to cancer. And, that loss is something that I think about every single minute. I mean, I hold so much trauma from losing my mom at a young age, and one reason why I fight so hard, one reason why I even ran for office was to honor her mother’s life, the act of empowering others. And, I made that commitment as a 13 year old girl to her.

So, navigating life without a mom in Central Florida was tough. But, again, I found so much comfort in Orlando. I mean, this is a young city, a diverse city. I always felt at home in Orlando. And, I went to public schools K through 12. My high school was really a space where I was able to find a home in high school theater. I wasn’t an actress. I actually was a techie, so I did props, costumes, set pieces. That’s where my love for the arts really comes from.

And, wasn’t that politically engaged in high school, though I was at a younger age. The first time I ever collected petitions was when I was 10 years old, and it was a hyperlocal issue. My best friend at the time was being moved to a different lunch period, and I refused to let that happen. So, I collected signatures of my classmates and actually lost that campaign, but never stopped organizing for issues that I cared about. But, because I lost my mom in 2004, I just wasn’t to engaged in civics anymore.

In 2007, that changed. I had an amazing AP government teacher, Mr. Norris, in my high school coupled with the election of President Barack Obama. And those two catalysts was I went into UCF to start my academic career, is what solidified my destiny. And, when I got to UCF, I was first an environmental science major. I’m a vegetarian, aspiring vegan. So, I care deeply about our ecosystems and sustainability. So, I got involved in that world. Then I started doing advocacy for human rights in Iran, and summer 2010, met the College Democrats at UCF and got really involved. I changed my party affiliation from NPA to Democrat, became the Woman’s Caucus Chair for our local chapter. Then became the Florida College Democrats Woman’s Caucus Chair, and was the vice president of our local Democrat chapter alongside my twin sister who was president.

And, that’s where we blossomed as leaders. During this entire time too, I was getting more involved in women’s issues. I found Planned Parenthood as a patient when I was 18 years old because I had nowhere else to go for access to birth control, or even just information about dating and consent. And so, I became a Planned Parent patient, like one in five American women, and started volunteering there as a health center escort and was hired shortly before I graduated with my undergrad degrees in 2012. And so, I worked at Planned Parenthood for six years and during that time also got my masters.

April Salter: Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with your sister? Obviously, she’s had a big impact on your life, and certainly losing your mom, there’s nothing like a sister. So, talk a little bit about Ida.

Anna Eskamani: We are cut from the same cloth. And, I tell folks all the time that we’re womb to tomb though she hates it when I say that. But, my story is her story. And, losing our mom at such a tender age of 13, it brought us even closer. And, it’s really just such a thrill to to have someone who can empathize. But, we’re also both so passionate about this work. We keep each other awake at night. We make sure that we’re both up to get to our meetings. We get the work done. I mean, it’s an accountability partner and empathy partner, and so for that, I’m eternally grateful for.

April Salter: So talk a little bit about what it was like working at Planned Parenthood on kind of a day to day basis as you had women that you were trying to help, and then protestors outside. I mean, it’s kind of where all of the policy debate really comes together. That must be a very interesting and emotional kind of a job.

Anna Eskamani: I love that question. The personal is political, and anyone who works at Planned Parenthood, you really have to care about the mission, about ensuring that every Floridian, but especially women and girls, have free agency over their body and over their lives. And, I mentioned, my personal connection to Planned Parenthood was I had abstinence-only education in my high school. I was clueless to all the dynamics of intimacy and safe sex and protection, consent, into partner violence. I mean, no one taught me that, and I didn’t have parents to talk to about it. So, Planned Parenthood was there for me when I really needed them. 

And, that’s the story of every patient who walks into Planned Parenthood’s doors. Seeing the deep contrast, right, of patients coming in just trying to live a wholehearted life, just trying to access really critically important services, to a picket line outside. I mean, it helps you realize as a lawmaker that we’re not just talking about numbers, we’re not just talking about sensational rhetoric. These are people’s lives. And, people are passionate about it on all sides. Many people know me as the first Iranian-American elected in any public office in Florida. I also remind others, I’m also the only person who’s ever worked at Planned Parenthood who’s a lawmaker.

And, when we have these debates about abortion, it’s never nuanced. It’s always black and white. And, it’s always people choosing their rhetoric over others. And, I come to this space with a deep sense of empathy and a desire to teach others like, listen, have you ever walked into a Planned Parenthood before? Right now, we’re debating parental consent for minors who are accessing abortion. I’m probably the only person in that chamber who’s actually worked with minors and their parents on this very subject. And yet, I don’t serve on any committees that even debate this bill, which is quite telling.

And so, I do my best to build relationships, to be courageous on conversations about abortion with the hope that we can shift this legislature away from what ultimately becomes election rhetoric on the House floor, and focus on, if you truly want to reduce the rate of abortion, let’s talk about comprehensive sexual health education. Let’s talk about contraception. Let’s talk about adoption. Let’s talk about prenatal postnatal care. I mean, there’s so many other topics, as Florida ranks 46 out of 50 on woman’s health outcomes, where we could find this common ground. And so, I do think having the lived experiences of working at Planned Parenthood, and the lived experiences of helping patients and being the keeper of their stories. I bring that with me every day to the legislature and I won’t ever stop. 

April Salter: April Salter: So, what is it that you think that the anti-abortion, right to life community, what is it that they don’t understand or that they won’t accept? 

Anna Eskamani: So, two members of our local anti-abortion community emailed me, now as a lawmaker. And, I saw their names. I knew exactly who they are. I mean, they used to protest us at Planned Parenthood. It’s a very interesting relationship because we both know each other. We don’t really know each other. And, they asked for a meeting and I never decline a meeting request. So, I said, “We’re going to deeply disagree on issues around access to a safe, legal abortion. As long as you’re okay with that, I open up our doors and our hearts to you.” So, they came in and they filmed the entire meeting, which was fine. I mean, I’m a public servant so I’m used to that.

But, at the end of the day, we really could not find common ground because their definition of abortion is very black and white. They have their personal, deep feelings around personhood, around the concept of when life begins. And, I am not going to debate that because I respect their view. I might subscribe to something different. I might lean on science and medicine to help make decisions versus, for them, it’s very much ingrained in their definition of their faith. And so, I’m never going to not honor that. The struggle, the challenge is that they’re never going to honor my perspective. So, it’s not reciprocated, right? It’s very black and white to them.

And it was funny, they kept accusing me of being inconsistent and I said, “No, I’m very consistent on the fact that I honor abortion access and that issue as being nuanced, as being personal.” I’m very consistent on that front. So, I come to the world with that lens, which I think helps me… some people might call it uncomfortable conversations, I call it courageous conversations with those who vehemently opposed abortion access. Because when you come into this space with clear eyes and a full heart, there might be an opportunity that, over time, perceptions will change.

And, it’s one reason why I’m not afraid to talk about, not just abortion access, but I’m not afraid to talk about sex workers. I’m not afraid to talk about the power of utility companies in our state. I’m not afraid to talk about Publix and that might be to the chagrin of major players in this process. But, I think those are conversations that we have to have. Each one of us can play a role in ensuring Florida is a state that every Floridian can reach their fullest potential. But, if there’s no one to be the catalyst of those conversations, then why was I elected to serve.

April Salter: Clearly because a lot of people wanted you to.

Anna Eskamani: We did flip a seat and win it overwhelmingly, and I’m really proud of that.

April Salter: Anna, you became the first Iranian-American to hold any elected office when you won your race for House District 47. What does it say about our representative democracy that it’s 2019, and yet we’re still hearing that she’s the first woman to do this, or the first woman of color to hold that office? What does that say to you?

Anna Eskamani: It says we have a lot of work to do. When I was thinking about running for office, it was tough. I was so worried about the notion of failure, which I will say, as a working-class daughter of immigrants, I mean, all I know is hard work. And, the idea of failing is one that’s tough to swallow. And, running for office for many women is also personal. It’s not a career move. So, I would jokingly tell folks that I feel like I’m trying to marry the state of Florida, and I don’t want to be left at the altar. And so, it was a really hard decision for me to make, even just that step.

And actually, I wrote what I would say if I lost in an effort to accept losing as a potential reality when you run for office and to be okay with that, but to also identify the victories in loss. And, for me, it took shape in two ways. One was having the conversations that we’re having right now on the campaign trail. Talking about issues many folks are scared to talk about whether it’s MeToo, Time’s Up, Never Again, Black Lives Matter, all these issues that, for some of our elected officials, they wish to avoid. I’m going to dive deep into it with you and we’re going make it out of it okay. When we make it out, everyone’s going to live a happier and healthier life. So, the ability to have a platform for that on the campaign trail, I felt like it was a victory even in a loss.

And, the other part of that coin was, to your question, building the next generation of young people, people of color, of advocates, no matter what field they go into, they’re going to have empathy and they’re going to be bold, they’re going to know how to communicate ideas, and they’re going to be involved in civics. And our campaign, we had over 600 volunteers and they were diverse in age, in background, in class, in disability status. I mean, incredible group of movement builders. But, the folks who did the grunt work every day, were young people.

Our entire campaign team was young people, and many first timers when it came to getting involved in politics. And, right now, as I sit here, just last night, two of our former interns won their elections with their local College Democrat chapter.

April Salter: Great.

Anna Eskamani: One of our former interns is now the vice president of the Rollins College student body. One of our current interns won his bid for FSU student government. So, I see the impact, right? I see and I feel it. And, good leaders create new leaders, and though we’re very much behind when it comes to having that representative democracy, 2018 was a wave movement that is catalyzing that. And, I know that by the time my service here is done, however long that looks like, whatever that looks like, there’s going to be an incredible army of people who are ready. Who are ready to take charge.

April Salter: Anna, your father is still alive, right?

Anna Eskamani: He is.

April Salter: And, I’m sure he’s incredibly proud of you. What a difference though in that generation where he had to literally hide his identity for fear of discrimination and yet his daughter, loud and proud Iranian-American, celebrating your heritage. What is that like for your dad? I mean, what kind of conversations did you have with him about running?

Anna Eskamani: He’s such an introvert, and my dad now works abroad because when the shuttle program came to an end, they start laying off jobs. At Space Coast, he actually was one of the folks who got transferred. So, he works overseas now and he comes home every few months. He was not with us on election night because of his job. I mean, he’s one of the most hardworking people you’ll ever meet and he’s missed a lot of birthdays. He’s missed graduations. I mean, I think my dad honestly carries a lot of guilt about it, which my sister and my brother try really hard to make sure he doesn’t feel that way because he’s been an incredible dad to us in every way that he can give. So, I think it’s really emotional for him. It’s emotional for a lot of Iranians.

When Iranians have run for office in the past, they often share the story in the case of being a victim. They speak of their background as Iranian as being negative. But I found America, and I’m American, right? They kind of use the rhetoric to really demonize Iran and that identity, and I never have done that. I mean, I have been very vocal on human rights violations in Iran and, honestly, to the point where I’m concerned about my ability to go back to Iran. My first time in Iran was 2005 to bring our mom’s ashes there to the Caspian Sea. And, we went back two more summers after that. And then, once I started college it just became more difficult to travel.

But Ida and I, we have lots of family in Iran and the travel ban directly impacts them. The issues around student visas at the federal level also impacts thousands of Iranians across this country and state. And, sometimes I’m fearful that when I am so robust about talking about the Islamic Republic of Iran, and just how bad that government is, that I’m not only impacting my own ability to see my family again, but I might be putting my family at risk. And so, I’m very thoughtful to that. But again, I feel when you’re most afraid to speak is when you must speak. And so, you can’t not say anything.

But, because in our campaign we were so bold and unapologetic about who we are, and the necklace that I wear is a symbol of Persian identity. It was my mom’s. And, there’s three parts in his wings and it means good deeds, good thoughts, and good words. And, our campaign logo reflected that. It has three stripes on it with a V, and the V is my mom’s maiden name, which is my middle name, Vishkaee. So, everything in our campaign was done intentionally to demonstrate who we are and what we stand for.

And so, when we won, I have to tell you, it was this incredible surge of support from everyone across the state, but also Iranians in Iran. Our website saw thousands of hits from Iran, and it was the same week of the sanctions being put back into place on Iran. So, I think there was this really incredible dichotomy of Iranians in Iran, the people of Iran being sad because for many it was a step backwards from diplomacy to where we are now. But, the reaction that a district that is 85% white electing an Iranian-American, was a sign of hope for Iranians that, okay, well, it’s not over, right? There are Americans who care about us and who are willing to elect one of us, right, in that way. So, it’s been an incredible journey. 

And, something else I’m just really grateful for is the number of members in particular who will come up to me and say, “Hey, I had an Iranian roommate,” or, “My brother in law’s Iranian,” or, “My best friend who’s Iranian.” “My first boss was Iranian.” So, it also reminds people of other folks in their life who are Iranian. And, my hope is that when you think about Iran, we’re not thinking about the tension, we’re not thinking about the Ayatollah, we’re thinking about people like me. We’re thinking about the folks that have contributed so much to this country. We’re embracing the immigrant identity that defines America through just my presence being in that chamber.

So, it was transformational for my dad. I mean, he was in tears watching from afar, and for all my family who even saw me on TV in Iran. I mean, I think it was something transformational for all of us, and my hope is that for more immigrants out there that they realize that this country was built on the immigrant identity. And, that we should be unafraid. And, when we see policies that isolate immigrants to speak out and push back because we are a nation of immigrants, and that’s what defines us and we do our part to make sure it stays that way.

April Salter: So, you are nearing the brutal last few weeks of the legislative session as we do this interview, and people’s perception of what legislative session is going to be like is always a bit different once they’ve been through it. What are your thoughts on the Florida legislature? The process? What are some of your observations about that?

Anna Eskamani: So, I was never a lobbyist, right? So, I never was in the process that deeply. I mean, when I worked at Planned Parenthood, I was, eventually, the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications, and we would bring patients to the legislature. So, I had some insight into pieces of the process. But, it’s very different when you’re on the hot seat, when the Florida Channel’s on you, and you’re one of 120 members that you have to work with.

So, my first thought is I really am so grateful for the collegiality of it all. I have a great deal of admiration for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle though we disagree on so much. The fact that we can hit each other a little bit and then hug each other later, metaphorically, of course, it’s genuine and it’s generous and I’m grateful for that. And, I think it’s a contrast to the rhetoric we see around this country being polarized because, end of the day, when we’re together on that floor, we all love this state and I like to think that through that desire for Florida to be better than the best, that we can find common ground. And so, I try to lead with that, and I have really enjoyed the spaces with my colleagues of all creeds and political persuasions.

It definitely is a system that the most established lobbyists are going to understand the most. And, I think, as a freshman lawmaker, you have to be really thoughtful to mastering your craft. I did not get any of my committees of preference and most freshmen Democrats don’t. And, I was placed in some very dry committees. I mean, we’re talking about Local Federal Veterans Affairs, we’re talking about Public Oversight and Management. I do serve on Pre-K to 12 Quality Subcommittee and Ways and Means.

And, Ways and Means, in particular, has been my favorite committee mainly because it’s been such a challenge to learn about Florida’s tax structure, to be an advocate in that space as the youngest member and only one of two freshmen. So, I came in, when I got that committee assignment, I took it really seriously and just started reading the Florida tax handbook, everything I could do about taxes. And, sure enough, one of the amendments that I brought up to the committee though it did not pass on a voice vote, it’s now being utilized in the bill’s second stop. So, I can’t help but feel that I’ve had some impact in making the system work and making things a little bit better.

So, to that, I think was built for this work. I feel that in my bones. But, I still have a lot to learn. And, I love going home every weekend because it reminds me of why I’m there. And, I think that for many folks who are deeply in the process, you might get isolated by your constituents, and you might forget, was I elected to meet the needs of a special interest and you get that check later, or was I here to represent the people of my great community? And, because we ran such a grassroots campaign and didn’t really take funds from many of the biggest industry groups here in Tallahassee, I’m also gifted with a lot of freedom.

I was the only one who voted no against the AT&T bill. And, it pained me to do that. I mean, when I can vote with my colleagues, I want to. But, home rule is a big issue for me. We have incredible cities in the district. So, I’m thoughtful to any notion of preemption, but I know that there’s pressure for folks not to do that because I’m sure it’s related to their campaigns. And, because we ran a revolutionary campaign that wasn’t grounded in industry, it does give us the ability to redefine what it means to be a public official. And, I hope that inspires other everyday working class Floridians to run for office because if we have more voices of folks who are directly impacted, who have lived experiences that are being debated in these halls, I think we’ll have a lot better policy and we’ll be able to change lives.

April Salter: You’re listening to Fluent in Floridian, produced by SalterMitchell PR. I’m April Salter, and we love telling Florida stories, the stories of our best and brightest and those who are shaping the conversation in Florida. Today, we’re talking with Anna Eskamani, the newly elected state representative from Orlando and the first Iranian-American to hold elected office in Florida.

There’s a lot of labels that get thrown around in our political debate these days. And, one of them that I find particularly difficult to deal with is the label of snowflake. I heard it yesterday in such a bizarre fashion that, “Oh, that’s just another thing for these snowflakes to complain about.” When you hear things like that, why do you think those labels exist, and what does it make you think of?

Anna Eskamani: Labels exist, oftentimes, to dehumanize one another. I mean, it’s very easy to disregard someone’s opinions when you label them as a snowflake. Just as it was the same when, on the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton labeled different Trump supporters different names. And so, I steer away from assigning any one person to that type of a category. Because, at the end of the day, people are nuance. People are complicated. People want to fall in love like anyone else wants to fall in love. People want to raise a family. They want to have a good job.

I mean, I just ground myself in the fact that we’re all the same. And, when I’m on social media, in particular, we attract a lot of trolls, of course. I don’t block anyone. As a public official, I don’t think that’s appropriate. I think you should see what I’m saying and what I’m doing. But, I’m also happy to engage with even some of the most aggressive individuals who are not only calling me a snowflake, but call me a whole lot of other things too. Because I think when you try to engage and you’re kind in your approach and you’re curious of what this person actually thinks and feels, you might be able to actually, again, learn something new, find common ground, or at the very least deescalate the situation. When you throw names at one another, there’s no space for any of that. 

And, I’ll give you one quick example. We have some of the worst trolls on Facebook. I don’t know what it is about Facebook, but I post, and trolls. And, there was one guy who made a comment about me. I don’t know, he was degrading me as a millennial and making comments of, “Oh, are you going to take photos of your food and tell us what you’re eating?” Because I was heading to the Cattlemen’s Breakfast in Orlando, which is funny for a vegetarian because I am very limited in what I can eat. So, he made these comments to me.

So, I actually just commented back and I said, “Pancakes.” And, I put a little tongue emoji because that’s what I ate. I was eating pancakes at this event. And, his tone changed completely. He was like, “Oh man, I miss pancakes.” And then, he went on this second comment and he was like, “You might be the first politician who actually reads their comments. Just ignore the poison. It’s all just online anyways.” And then, of course, my first reaction is, well, stop spreading the poison. Right?

But, again, it was the fact that I was kind, I was friendly, I was a little funny. And, that calmed him down. But, if I were to call him, I don’t know, whatever the words are. If I were to insult him in some way, we would never be able to repair that relationship. And though, I don’t even know the person, we’re just online, I think maintaining some level of empathy in all this is really important and can help build relationships you never thought you could build.

So, I try really hard when people call me those things to not let it get to me. I mean, I tell folks all the time that running for office is a test of your resiliency and that resiliency must be maintained through obsession. So, my skin has definitely gotten more thick, but my heart has also gotten bigger because if folks are using those words, there’s something deeper happening. You got to take the elevator down a few notches. There’s something in their heart and their mind and their lived experiences that make them the way they are right now, that have led them to believe that it’s okay to treat others like this.

I’m not going to fight fire with fire. I’m going to try to find whatever means I have to understand you better with the hope that if I were to run into you at the grocery store, maybe we can at least have a few small words with one another and go on with our lives. It doesn’t have to be grounded in contention.

April Salter: Anna, if you were to give advice to young people who are considering public service, or just trying to help shape Florida’s future, what advice would you give them?

Anna Eskamani: Oh my gosh. So, three pieces of advice. One is find your mentors, whether those are in your church, in your book club, on your college campus, at your high school, whatever it is. Find your mentors and keep them in your life. I check in with even my high school teachers to this day. I think it’s really important that those folks continue… they want to see you succeed, and you’ll never know when you might need them for advice, for a pep talk, for a place to crash, whatever it is, right? So, keep those mentors in your life.

Also, realize that good leaders create new leaders. Power is not a scarce resource. Power is to be built collectively. You don’t have ego in it. Be humble, give back, and know that when you lift up others, you’re lifted up with them. So, don’t be possessive over what you know or who you know. Share that because good leaders create new leaders. So, when you have a internship, recommend your friend for it. I mean, talk to your bosses about people in your life that who could also benefit from those relationships. If there’s a office holiday party, bring a friend who wants to get involved in that way. Just never be shy about building new leaders along your path.

And then, three is just to be your authentic self. Don’t let anyone tell you who to be. On the campaign trail, there were a lot of more mainstream consultants who wanted me to fit into certain boxes, wanted me to dress a certain way, talk a certain way, not talk about my Iranian identity, not talk about Planned Parenthood, whatever it was. And, I pushed back against all of it because I knew that if I won my race, I didn’t want to get to Tallahassee and not be myself. I wanted to always present as my authentic self. And, you are perfect just the way you are. And so, don’t change for anyone else. And also, realize that you are going to evolve over time and that’s fantastic. But, as long as you are true to your values, you’re going to do just fine.

April Salter: And finally, we always wrap up the show with four questions. The first one is who is a Florida leader that you admire? This could be someone from any industry or field, from the past, or someone who’s still active in their work.

Anna Eskamani: A lot of people come to mind. One person in particular is Barbara Zdravecky. She goes by Baz. But, Barbara was my Planned Parenthood CEO after we had a merger in 2015. So, I used to work in a four-county region. We became 22 through a merger several years ago. So, Barbara inherited me as one of her staff members. And Baz, she’s always been a warrior. She lives in the Sarasota area. That’s where our headquarters was at Planned Parenthood. But, she encouraged me to get involved with Leadership Florida, Connect Florida. She was always just such an incredible mentor to all of us. She retired recently and that doesn’t mean she stopped. I mean, she was very involved in the 2018 election cycle. So, Barbara is a legend and has an incredible personal story as well. And, I’m really grateful that through the merger I could have the opportunity to work with her more closely.

April Salter: And, what is a person, place, or thing in Florida that you think deserves more attention that it currently gets? There’s so many issues out there, but what is something that you think needs more discussion or light shined on it?

Anna Eskamani: I would say our tech community. Central Florida is home to some incredible incubators. We’re very close to the Space Coast and Embry-Riddle. I mean, we have an incredible ecosystem to be the next Silicon Valley, or at least the best in the southeast. To nurture that type of environment, it also ties to quality of life. It ties to embracing diversity. It ties to women having equal opportunity. I mean, we’re not going to attract the biggest tech communities and we’re not going to have a startup community, if you don’t have the quality of life that allows people to not only call the state their home, but to also take risk.

So, I’m always thinking about what can we do to support that environment of growth? Because we always think about the major companies and the defense contractors, but incubator, startups, they’re whole new breed. And, there’s not a large VC culture in our state yet. Venture capitalist environment. So, what can we do to really cultivate and build that? And, I do hope that, going to next session, that’s something that I can work more closely with my colleagues on because I think that that is a big part of Florida’s future.

April Salter: And, what is your favorite Florida location to visit? That could be a city, a restaurant, or a beach, whatever it might be.

Anna Eskamani: One of my happy places is Sebastian Inlet State Park, and it is on the border of Brevard and Indian River County. And, it’s a beautiful state park, and it’s so Florida. And, by that I mean, it’s not a lot of tourists who are there because it’s kind of a hole in the wall. So, you have these everyday Floridians. Some folks are tattooed up, smoking cigarettes. I mean, it’s such a really cool Florida place. People are fishing, there’s kids there on their high school break, just hanging out. I mean, it’s so Florida. And again, it grounds you on who we are and the simple pleasures of life. And, I love being by the water. I find the water to be really rejuvenating. Haven’t been to the beach in over two months now. So, I’m feeling a little… itching for it. So, one of the first things I’ll do when session’s over is I’ll probably go to that state park and just be still and enjoy the sunrise. 

April Salter: I can’t imagine you being still.

Anna Eskamani: For about 10 minutes.

April Salter: And finally, do you have a favorite Florida sports team?

Anna Eskamani: Oh yes. My Knights. Go Knights. Absolutely. Really proud. I’m a UCF Grad, not once, but twice. I held two bachelor degrees, two master’s degrees, and I have two certificates, and I’m getting my doctorate right now. So, I bleed black and gold, and really grateful for everything UCF’s done for our region. But, always a fan of the sports as well.

April Salter: Well, Representative Eskamani, thank you so much for joining us today. It’s been a real pleasure to talk to you.

Anna Eskamani: Thank you for having me, April.

Chris Cate: Thanks for listening to the Fluent in Floridian podcast. This show is executive produced by April Salter, with additional support provided by Heidi Otway, and the team at SalterMitchell PR. If you need help in telling your Florida story, SalterMitchell PR has you covered by offering issues management, crisis communications, social media, advocacy, and media relations assistance. You can learn more about SalterMitchell PR at SalterMitchellPR.com. You can also learn more about the Fluent in Floridian podcast, and listen to every episode of the show at FluentinFloridian.com or by searching for the show using your favorite podcast app. Have a great day.