Wendy Hoy, a Democrat, is running for the Florida House of Representatives in District 57, which covers Palm Harbor and Dunedin. She faces Republican Adam Anderson in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Hoy has never held elected or appointed office. She said in our candidate questionnaire that the property tax exemption amendment pushed her to run, calling the revenue loss it creates for cities, counties and essential community services "alarming." She added: "When I learned the incumbent was running unopposed, I knew I couldn't stay on the sidelines any longer."

Candidate information

Party: Democrat

Family: "I'm the mother of two adult children and the proud grandmother of four wonderful grandchildren who inspire me to work for a stronger, more supportive Florida," Hoy said in our questionnaire. "I was also shaped deeply by my parents, who taught me fairness, courage, and the importance of showing up for others."

Education: "I graduated fifth in a class of over 600 from my high school in Massapequa Park, New York, and went on to earn my bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan, graduating with distinction," Hoy said in our questionnaire.

Political background: Hoy said in our questionnaire that both of her parents "were deeply involved in local Democratic politics in New York with each serving at different times in their lives as Democratic committee people or as campaign or polling place volunteers."

Experience and public service

Hoy described her career path in our questionnaire: "I began my career as an elementary school teacher in Ohio and New York, then spent several years as a preschool teacher after moving to Florida. I later became the Director of three Head Start centers — two in Clearwater and one in Tarpon Springs — supporting children and families in early education."

She said she later entered long-term care, "serving as a regional manager for multiple long-term care and assisted living companies and running an assisted living residence. For the last twenty years, I've worked in home health and hospice and now serve as a part-time national consultant in the field."

Asked about accomplishments, Hoy said in our questionnaire: "As an assisted living administrator, I earned Tampa's Weinberg Village its first deficiency free survey."

Hoy also said she has volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem, a hotline advocate, a board member at a nonprofit supporting foster children, a Friends board member at a local public library, a Kiwanis member and an EagleWatch volunteer.

On the issues

Local control: Hoy said on her campaign website that she is running because "Tallahassee is stripping away local control from communities." In our questionnaire, she said: "I also believe communities — not Tallahassee — should decide how development and environmental projects move forward."

Public education: Hoy said on Activate Pinellas that she opposes "classroom censorship, book bans, political interference in libraries, attacks on public education, and policies that siphon public funds away from public schools."

Insurance: Hoy said in our questionnaire that Florida has "the highest property and auto insurance rates in the country." She called for addressing the crisis.

Path to winning: Asked in our questionnaire how she plans to win in a district that has leaned Republican, Hoy said: "I'm building a coalition of independents, Democrats, and Republicans who are tired of special interest influence and want someone who understands the community at a local level."