Republican Kiyan Michael is seeking re-election in Florida House District 16, which covers Jacksonville’s beaches, everything east of Southside Boulevard north of Beach Boulevard, and most of the area east of Hodges Boulevard south of Beach Boulevard. She faces a Democratic challenger, Rachel Grage.
Because there is only one candidate from each party in the district, the race only appears on the general election ballot in November.
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News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Rachel Grage
Occupation: Community activist, homemaker, actor
Age: 54
Family: Husband Rolf, Radiologist at Mayo Clinic
Daughter Gretchen, Imagineer at Walt Disney World
Son Nicholas, Medical Student at Saba University
Daughter Kathryn, Graduate Student in Ecology at Kent State University
Daughter Elinor, Medical Student at Wake Forest University
Chihuahuas Papi and Chloe
Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University. BSE ‘91, MSE ‘93.
Political experience: I’m a political outsider, an average citizen, like the people in my district. However, I have always been deeply committed to my community and previously served as a board member and president of my 3500 home and corporate park community association where I was also a member of the recreation and architectural standards committees. I have served as a board member for a local chapter of the Florida Democratic Women’s Club (DWC) for the past several years as well as the club’s legislative liaison. I won the statewide DWC “Legislative Liaison of the Year Award” for 2024.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Property insurance and housing are pressing issues in our district, with skyrocketing costs leading to financial instability for many residents. To address this, I will fight for funding that provides incentives to ensure more homes are available for families and individuals of all income levels. I will propose legislation to strengthen the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to provide more rigorous oversight of insurance rate filings and prevent unjustified increases. I will implement stricter review processes for rate hikes and require detailed justification from insurance companies. I will introduce policies to expand the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (Cat Fund) to provide more affordable reinsurance options for insurers, reducing their costs and, subsequently, premiums for homeowners. I will ensure the state provides money for infrastructure improvements, such as reinforcing sea walls and upgrading drainage systems, to reduce the risk of hurricane and flood damage, thus helping with insurance rates.
Public education is the heart of our communities and essential for our children’s futures. Unfortunately, our schools are under threat from inadequate funding and diversification of resources. To tackle this, I will stand up for more state and federal dollars to be allocated to public education to provide better resources, facilities, and support for students and teachers. I will fight to keep our neighborhood schools open by pushing for policies that support public schools, prevent closures and promote community engagement. I will advocate for better pay, resources, and professional development for teachers to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed. I will promote equitable access to quality education, including early childhood education and vocational training programs. I will address issues related to standardized testing, school accountability, and student performance metrics.
Health care access is vital for the well-being of our community, yet many Floridians still struggle to access affordable health care. My plan includes advocating for policies that expand health care access to all residents, including mental health services and substance abuse treatment. I will support legislation that ensures access to reproductive health services. I will promote preventive care initiatives to reduce long-term health care costs and improve overall community health. I will work to lower health care costs through legislation that addresses prescription drug prices and insurance premiums.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart is my commitment to a grassroots approach and independence from corporate and special interest ties. Unlike my opponent, I am focused on real issues affecting district 16, and not divisive culture war politics. I bring a perspective shaped by community engagement, public service, and a deep concern for local issues like housing attainability, education, and environmental protections. My background in science and the arts equips me with a unique perspective on problem-solving and creative policy-making. Additionally, I have been dedicated to caring for my family for the past three decades. This has given me a strong foundation and perspective that deeply informs my values and commitment to policies that support and strengthen families, ensuring that the needs of our community are met with empathy and understanding. These qualities will enable me to represent District 16 with integrity, inclusivity, and a dedication to positive change.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered for making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the people of District 16. I want to be known as a representative who truly listened to and cared for the community.
I aim to leave a legacy of fighting for:
Lower Insurance Costs
Attainable Housing
Public Education
Climate Resilience and Environmental Protections
Small Businesses
Healthcare Access & Women’s Healthcare Rights
Transparency in Government
These goals reflect my commitment to inclusive representation, integrity, and making a meaningful impact on the issues that matter most to our community.
Campaign website: rachelgrage.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Kiyan Michael
Occupation: Member, Florida House of Representatives, 2022 to present
The Republican incumbent has not yet responded to email and phone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If
Campaign website: kiyanmichael.com