Democrats staff up as they continue contending with a GOP supermajority.
House Democrats are expanding their team with three new hires, bolstering their policy, communications and operations as the caucus eyes the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session.
House Dems are hiring Josh Cohen as an attorney with a focus on health care legislation. Lauren Guagliardo has been tapped as Deputy Communications Director. And Hannah Vanover is stepping in as Office Manager.
Cohen is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law. He previously worked in employment law, including a stint with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs[1].
He also brings political and advocacy experience from his time with the National Organization for Women[2], where he worked on health care and gun violence prevention policy. Cohen’s first stint in the Capitol came as an intern in then-Rep. Ben Diamond’s office.
A University of Florida graduate, Guagliardo is currently enrolled in Florida State University’s applied American politics and policy master’s program. Guagliardo has a communications and political background that spans local campaigns in Tampa and Gainesville, as well as experience working in government offices at both the federal and state levels.
She has worked in the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court’s Office[3], U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s district office, and on staff with the Florida Senate Agriculture Committee. Her role is expected to focus on sharpening the caucus’s messaging at a time when Democrats are trying to regain traction with voters across Florida.[4]
Vanover is a two-time graduate of Florida State University, most recently completing her master’s in applied American politics and policy this Summer.
Vanover has experience managing campaign finance operations and has worked in the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s Office[5] as well as in the Florida House Clerk’s Office. She will play a central role in coordinating the caucus’s day-to-day operations.
Democrats remain firmly in the minority in the Legislature, with Republicans having a supermajority in both chambers after a series of dominant election cycles. That reality has limited the caucus’s ability to advance its agenda, but party leaders have sought to focus on issues such as housing affordability, health care access and gun safety to draw contrasts with Republicans.
Post Views: 0
References
- ^ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov)
- ^ National Organization for Women (now.org)
- ^ Hillsborough County Clerk of Court’s Office (www.hillsclerk.com)
- ^ Kathy Castor’s (castor.house.gov)
- ^ St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s Office (stjohnsclerk.com)