Felipe Sousa Lazaballet
From Ballotpedia
Felipe Sousa Lazaballet (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 42. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.
Sousa Lazaballet completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Felipe Sousa Lazaballet earned an associate degree from the Miami Dade College and a bachelor's degree from St. Thomas University. His career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive director.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 42
Felipe Sousa Lazaballet and Bonnie Jackson are running in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 42 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Felipe Sousa Lazaballet (D)  | |
 | Bonnie Jackson (R) | |
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Endorsements
To view Sousa Lazaballet's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Felipe Sousa Lazaballet completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sousa Lazaballet's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet is a passionate advocate, dedicated community leader, and proven problem solver. Born in Brazil and raised by his remarkable single mother, a domestic worker, Felipe learned early on the values of resilience, determination, and compassion. At the age of 14, Felipe moved to Florida, where older sister became his guardian. As an LGBTQ+ immigrant who came to this country in search of the American dream, he has firsthand experience of the challenges many Floridians face. On January 1st, 2010 — Felipe embarked on a 1,500-mile journey, walking from Miami to Washington, DC, to raise awareness about the struggles of young immigrants and to advocate for a more just and equitable future that serves all. Felipe is dedicated to the City of Orlando, serving under Mayor Buddy Dyer for 5 years. He was the primary point of contact for all those Orlandoans impacted by the Pulse tragedy and worked to create and fund the services needed for a community working to heal. Later, Felipe advised the Mayor on outreach and policy impacting multicultural communities. Now, as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization with a $3.8 million budget and a team of over 30 staff members, Felipe brings valuable leadership experience and a proven track record of impact. Today, Felipe is proud to call Central Florida his home. He is happily married to his husband, Luis Sousa-Lazaballet, and together they share their life with two wonderful puppies, Papito and Cosito.
- Affordability In Central Florida, According to data from the 2023 Census Reporter, the median value of housing units is $424,000 — 1.3 times the Florida average. More than 10% of the district’s residents live below the poverty line. I believe that housing is a fundamental human right and I will work to ensure that the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund is used for affordable housing initiatives. I will tirelessly push for property insurance reforms that protect Floridians and maintain housing affordability. I will prioritize sustainable public transit by supporting dedicated funding, advanced accessibility technologies, and walkable communities, while empowering residents to have a voice in shaping transit solutions.
- Education My childhood, influenced by my mother's limited education, drives my commitment to equitable learning access. Overcoming obstacles like cost and accessibility, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Miami Dade College and St. Thomas University and am committed to public education as a means to break the cycle of poverty. I will champion fully funded public schools, competitive teacher salaries, and the elimination of standardized testing to encourage creative learning. I will promote the growth of mental health services and trauma-informed care, recognizing education's role in holistic growth. I support diverse curricula and oppose public school privatization, promoting responsible tax dollar use.
- Healthcare Accessibility In 2021, Florida ranked 41 in healthcare access while Floridians simultaneously owe $8.2 billion in medical debt. No one should have to choose between the care they need and bankruptcy. I am dedicated to enhancing healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for underserved communities, and have worked alongside the FL DOH to tackle HIV stigma, expand care programs, and improve healthcare access for all women. I am committed to expanding Medicaid and securing funding for mental health services, including prioritizing rehabilitation and promoting alternative recovery methods. I will champion access to contraception and maternal care while striving to enhance programs for individuals with disabilities and our seniors.
In addition to affordability, education, and healthcare accessibility, I’m personally passionate about investing in local arts and culture. A thriving creative community is a key piece of a tourist-driven economy and showcases our diverse area in a compelling and unique way. Each dollar invested in arts and culture yields a nine dollar return - making it a smart economic decision, in addition to honoring our collective heritage and enhancing our quality of life.
I look up to my mother and my sister. They have taught me the true power of resilience, hard work, and perseverance. My mother had only a second-grade education, but she believed deeply in her children’s potential. Because of her, we grew up to become successful business leaders and public servants. My sister showed incredible strength at just 18 years old when she left Brazil to pursue the American dream. I am who I am today because of them. They are living examples of what’s possible, and every day they remind me why I’m fighting to create opportunities for other families like ours.
I am also deeply inspired by Sister Ann Kendrick, who came to Central Florida over 50 years ago to live her faith through action. Because of her dedication and leadership, four major organizations were founded to serve those who are often forgotten. Her example shows me how faith and service can transform communities and create lasting change.
I am also deeply inspired by Sister Ann Kendrick, who came to Central Florida over 50 years ago to live her faith through action. Because of her dedication and leadership, four major organizations were founded to serve those who are often forgotten. Her example shows me how faith and service can transform communities and create lasting change.
"Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement" by John Lewis and "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have shaped my life as an advocate, and they will now guide my work as a public servant. These works have taught me the true price of social change and reminded me that our freedoms, from the right to vote to the pursuit of happiness, were secured by people who made extraordinary sacrifices. It is now our duty to continue defending those freedoms and to advance policies that extend a hand up to more communities.
First, cultural humility, or the understanding that elected officials are not the ultimate experts on every issue. The people most directly impacted must be at the center of any public policy solution, and that requires deep listening and respect for lived experience. Second, a servant spirit, remembering that public office is about service, not power, and approaching the role with genuine passion for helping others. Finally, a deep sense of justice and the unwavering commitment to make people’s lives better in real, concrete ways, ensuring that decisions lead to meaningful and lasting change.
I believe what makes me a strong future officeholder is my resilience and real-life experience. Growing up in extreme poverty taught me what many families in Florida go through every day. I bring a servant’s heart, a lot of empathy, and a deep commitment to fighting for all.
I also have hands-on executive experience - managing budgets, making tough calls with the community’s best interest in mind, and leading through crises like the Pulse tragedy in Orlando. Those moments taught me how to stay calm and focused in the face of competing priorities.
I’m not going to be bought off by big business, even though I’ll work day and night to make sure our local businesses can succeed. My commitment is to the people I serve first and foremost. Constituent services are the backbone of what it means to be a successful state representative, and I take that responsibility seriously.
I’ve got real-life experience working through disasters, too. I supported relief efforts during the exodus of people from Puerto Rico to Central Florida after Hurricane Maria, and worked on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ian and Milton. Those experiences showed me what it really means to serve a community in crisis.
As a youth organizer and advocate, I’ve learned how to listen to people from all walks of life and bring them together to make real change happen. I’m all about finding solutions that work and balancing big ideas with practical action. Transparency, accountability, and working across differences without losing my values are really important to me.
I believe that community involvement is one of the most critical responsibilities of a state legislator, and one that is often overlooked. Constituent services are the year round piece of this role, and it’s impossible to fully understand and serve the needs of your community without that personal investment. I have served on numerous local and regional municipal committees and non-profit Boards of Directors, in addition to my current role as the Executive Director of a nearly $4 million non-profit that helps families achieve economic prosperity by addressing challenges such as affordable housing, workforce development, and financial empowerment. During the legislative session, the most critical responsibility is to defend the interests of District 42 on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives. I take that responsibility seriously and will consider the needs and goals of the entirety of the District in that work.
I pray that I will be remembered as a leader who truly listened to the needs of the community I served, someone who made tough decisions but never lost sight of myself or my values. I want to be known as an effective elected official who created real, lasting change in people’s lives.
That means building a stronger economy that works for everyone, not just a handful of billionaires. It means fighting for education that’s accessible to all, healthcare that protects our wellbeing so no one has to choose between rent and medicine, and protecting our environment while building infrastructure that keeps communities safe from flooding.
I had just turned 15 when September 11 happened, shortly after I arrived in the United States. I didn’t understand any English yet, and it took me several hours to grasp that the country had been attacked. Witnessing the aftermath, including several of my closest friends being deployed to Iraq, shaped my teenage understanding of the importance of supporting our veterans.
I saw returning friends struggle with PTSD and face a lack of the critical resources they desperately needed to heal and rebuild their lives. That experience fueled my commitment to ensuring veterans receive the care and support they deserve when they return home from serving our nation and defending our freedoms.
I saw returning friends struggle with PTSD and face a lack of the critical resources they desperately needed to heal and rebuild their lives. That experience fueled my commitment to ensuring veterans receive the care and support they deserve when they return home from serving our nation and defending our freedoms.
I grew up in extreme poverty on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, in a community called Duque de Caxias. Our house was only half-built, we didn’t have an indoor bathroom, and every day, my mother and I walked to a nearby well to get water for our basic needs.
At 10, I got my first job passing out promotional flyers and carrying a huge ladder to put up ads on light posts. That job lasted about a year, and with the money I earned, I was able to buy a water pump for my family so we no longer had to haul water from the well with buckets. I also helped build our first indoor bathroom.
At 10, I got my first job passing out promotional flyers and carrying a huge ladder to put up ads on light posts. That job lasted about a year, and with the money I earned, I was able to buy a water pump for my family so we no longer had to haul water from the well with buckets. I also helped build our first indoor bathroom.
My favorite book is Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. It speaks to the power of vulnerability and the courage to be your most authentic self when stepping into leadership roles. It highlights the importance of being the person “in the arena,” doing your best to serve the interests of everyone, and having the bravery to be honest even when it’s hard.
If I could be any fictional character, I’d choose Superman. I do love the idea of his superpowers, but I also admire his deep sense of justice and his commitment to serving others with the skills he has. I admire how he uses his abilities responsibly and always strives to protect and uplift those who need help. That idea of serving the greater good with whatever tools you have really speaks to me.
The last song that got stuck in my head was “Conselho,” which means “Advice” in Portuguese. It’s a Brazilian classic about the importance of focusing on our collective power and staying resilient, especially in tough moments when it’s hard to do so.
I was undocumented for 15 years of my life, which meant living as a victim of a broken immigration system. But over time, I found my voice and became part of the solution. Now I am a United States citizen and running for elected office.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve also faced discrimination in many areas of my life, including employment or challenges as a young person navigating the school system.
Ideally, the relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be collaborative and focused on addressing the real issues impacting the lives of everyday Floridians. While both branches must maintain their independence and respect the system of checks and balances, the legislature plays a crucial role as a safeguard to our democracy. This includes standing up when the governor oversteps, such as threatening to remove duly elected officials simply for political disagreements. Ultimately, this balance ensures that the entirety of the elected leadership of Florida serves the people fairly and transparently.
Florida faces a serious affordability crisis that is tearing apart the very families who build our state. Wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, and the housing crisis is leaving young people unsure if they will ever own a home, while seniors fear losing the homes they’ve lived in for decades. We must protect resources like the Sadowsky Fund, which is meant to support affordable housing initiatives, to ensure more Floridians have access to safe and stable homes. Additionally, Florida needs comprehensive property insurance reform and creative policies that support local farming to help lower grocery costs.
Our economy depends on a fully funded education system, including scholarships for higher education and trade schools, robust support for young people including expanded mental health resources, and competitive salaries to attract and retain high-quality teachers. Without these investments, Florida will struggle to remain competitive.
I recognize that previous experience in government can be valuable. For example, my time working in the City of Orlando under Mayor Buddy Dyer gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of commitment to thoughtful solutions that consider the overall impact on the entire population. However, I also believe that other professional experience in areas like management, budgeting, economic forecasting, as well as lived experience, are also critical for making informed and effective policy decisions.
Yes, I believe that it’s critical that members of the legislature are able to work collaboratively, including across the aisle. The challenges our state is facing are so complex that, while two legislators may disagree on 90% of questions presented, we should all take advantage of those areas of overlap and advocate collectively for policies that will benefit our constituencies. Healthcare inaccessibility, unaffordable home and insurance prices, and the cost of groceries are issues that affect every Floridian, not just Democrats or Republicans.
John Lewis is a legislator I admire, because his life embodies the values and sacrifices I share as a youth organizer and advocate. Like him, I began my journey fighting for justice at a young age, knowing firsthand the risks and challenges of standing up against systems that marginalize our communities. John Lewis showed incredible courage and unwavering commitment, even when faced with violence and personal danger, because he understood that true change requires sacrifice and relentless dedication.
As someone who has made similar sacrifices, , whether risking safety to uplift marginalized voices or working tirelessly to build movements from the ground up, I deeply relate to his passion for justice and equity. His example teaches me that effective leadership means centering the voices of those most impacted and never compromising on the fight for dignity and equality.
Importantly, John Lewis demonstrated how to work across the aisle without losing one’s values. He was able to build bridges and find common ground while remaining steadfast in his commitment to justice.
I am running for the state legislature because it is the elected seat that most closely aligns with my policy experience, leadership in the local central Florida community, and passion for political engagement - not because I see it as a stepping stone. I am not running to have a title, I am running to make a difference in the lives of District 42 residents. My commitment will be to the constituents of House District 42.
I spoke with a grandmother in Eatonville who shared her personal struggles as an elderly woman raising her grandchildren. She talked about the rising prices and her fear for their future. I also met a small business owner who lost customers because construction blocked parking and visibility in front of his restaurant. Another business owner in Curry Ford is struggling to get the necessary permits to stabilize his business and secure jobs for his employees. I’ve heard stories from same-sex couples considering leaving Florida because they fear discrimination while raising their families here. Young people are struggling to make ends meet and losing hope of ever buying their first home. A constituent in Winter Park connected me by phone with a family member detained at the Everglades Internment Detention Center, which has drained $450 million from Florida’s disaster preparedness funds, resources that are meant to protect Floridians during hurricanes, not to detain immigrants who contribute to our state. I heard from a woman who nearly lost her chance to have more children after experiencing a miscarriage, but a local hospital hesitated to provide necessary medical care due to Florida’s six-week abortion ban. These stories remind me of the real, urgent challenges our communities face every day.
Knock knock
Who is there?
Interrupting cow
Interrupting cow :: before finishing who::
MOOOOOOOOOO
Governor DeSantis has repeatedly abused emergency powers to appoint unelected bureaucrats who prioritize the interests of billionaires and to remove duly elected local officials simply because they opposed his policies. A glaring example is the Everglades detention center, a harmful facility built in just days that threatens the Everglades’ wildlife and water quality and involved serious human rights violations and millions of dollars in no-bid contracts awarded to political donors. I strongly believe it is the legislature’s responsibility to establish stronger oversight to prevent attacks on our democracy, protect our environment, and defend civil rights.
The housing crisis is the most urgent issue I hear about from families across Florida. I’ve spoken with grandparents raising grandchildren who worry they’ll lose their homes, young people who feel priced out of ever buying their first home, and small business owners struggling to stay afloat because of rising costs and unstable neighborhoods. That’s why my first bill will focus on protecting and fully utilizing the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve affordable housing, alongside creating strong renters’ rights to protect families from unfair practices.
I believe everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home, it’s the foundation for opportunity and a thriving community. But housing is just one part of a bigger picture. I will also advocate for expanding access to education by ensuring our schools are fully funded, with the resources teachers and students need to succeed.
I will fight fiercely to bring critical support to local nonprofits who provide essential services that the government alone cannot. Lowering pharmaceutical drug prices, reforming property insurance, and building infrastructure that protects communities from flooding are also top priorities for me. I will also continue my advocacy on behalf of underserved communities.
Congressman Maxwell Frost
State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith
Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani
Representative Rita Harris
Representative Johanna Lopez
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Commissioner Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad
SEIU Florida
Equality Florida Action PAC
Ways and Means Committee, Education and Employment Committee, Appropriation Committee, and Environment, and Agriculture, & Flooding Subcommittee
I am dedicated to transparent governance in Florida and will promote public access to government operations. I will work for stronger laws requiring full disclosure of political donations, lobbying activities, and contracts, ensuring every taxpayer dollar can be tracked. I believe accountability is essential, which is why I support anti-conflict-of-interest legislation and independent oversight to prevent abuses of power. I also back campaign finance reform to limit the influence of big money and increase transparency in political spending, empowering everyday Floridians. I am committed to eliminating government corruption through strict oversight of contracts and strong whistleblower protections, fostering a government that upholds the highest ethical standards and serves the public interest, not special interests.
I support the repeal of HB1205, which was passed during the 2025 legislative session and makes it significantly more expensive and challenging to get citizen-led ballot initiatives in front of voters. HB1205 requires signers to provide more personal information on the petition form, places fee-based penalties directly on petition gatherers for late turn-ins or fraudulently completed petitions, and makes collection of 25 petitions or more (for example, from an HOA meeting or local block party) by a volunteer a third degree felony. These changes were introduced in response to two ballot questions, largely supported by Democratic elected officials, came very close to passage, and were made in retaliation. The democratic process only works if all of us have access to it, and HB1205 restricts that very access.
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Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Florida House of Representatives District 42 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 14, 2025
Current members of the Florida House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Daniel Perez
Majority Leader:Tyler Sirois
Minority Leader:Fentrice Driskell
Representatives
District 1
Michelle Salzman (R)
District 2
Alex Andrade (R)
District 3
Nathan Boyles (R)
District 4
District 5
Shane Abbott (R)
District 6
Philip Griffitts (R)
District 7
Jason Shoaf (R)
District 8
Gallop Franklin (D)
District 9
Allison Tant (D)
District 10
Chuck Brannan (R)
District 11
Sam Garrison (R)
District 12
Wyman Duggan (R)
District 13
Angela Nixon (D)
District 14
Kimberly Daniels (D)
District 15
Dean Black (R)
District 16
Kiyan Michael (R)
District 17
Jessica Baker (R)
District 18
Kim Kendall (R)
District 19
Sam Greco (R)
District 20
Judson Sapp (R)
District 21
Yvonne Hinson (D)
District 22
Chad Johnson (R)
District 23
J.J. Grow (R)
District 24
Ryan Chamberlin (R)
District 25
Taylor Yarkosky (R)
District 26
Nan Cobb (R)
District 27
Richard Gentry (R)
District 28
Bill Partington (R)
District 29
Webster Barnaby (R)
District 30
Chase Tramont (R)
District 31
Tyler Sirois (R)
District 32
Brian Hodgers (R)
District 33
Monique Miller (R)
District 34
Robert Brackett (R)
District 35
Erika Booth (R)
District 36
Rachel Plakon (R)
District 37
Susan Plasencia (R)
District 38
David Smith (R)
District 39
Doug Bankson (R)
District 40
RaShon Young (D)
District 41
Bruce Antone (D)
District 42
Anna Eskamani (D)
District 43
Johanna López (D)
District 44
Jennifer Harris (D)
District 45
Leonard Spencer (D)
District 46
Jose Alvarez (D)
District 47
Paula Stark (R)
District 48
Jon Albert (R)
District 49
District 50
Jennifer Canady (R)
District 51
Josie Tomkow (R)
District 52
John Temple (R)
District 53
Jeff Holcomb (R)
District 54
Randy Maggard (R)
District 55
Kevin Steele (R)
District 56
Brad Yeager (R)
District 57
Adam Anderson (R)
District 58
District 59
Berny Jacques (R)
District 60
Lindsay Cross (D)
District 61
Linda Chaney (R)
District 62
Michele Rayner (D)
District 63
Dianne Hart (D)
District 64
Susan Valdes (R)
District 65
District 66
Traci Koster (R)
District 67
District 68
Lawrence McClure (R)
District 69
Danny Alvarez (R)
District 70
Michael Owen (R)
District 71
Will Robinson (R)
District 72
Bill Conerly (R)
District 73
Fiona McFarland (R)
District 74
James Buchanan (R)
District 75
Danny Nix (R)
District 76
Vanessa Oliver (R)
District 77
Tiffany Esposito (R)
District 78
District 79
District 80
Adam Botana (R)
District 81
Yvette Benarroch (R)
District 82
Lauren Melo (R)
District 83
Kaylee Tuck (R)
District 84
Dana Trabulsy (R)
District 85
Toby Overdorf (R)
District 86
John Snyder (R)
District 87
Mike Caruso (R)
District 88
Jervonte Edmonds (D)
District 89
Debra Tendrich (D)
District 90
Vacant
District 91
District 92
Kelly Skidmore (D)
District 93
Anne Gerwig (R)
District 94
Meg Weinberger (R)
District 95
District 96
Dan Daley (D)
District 97
Lisa Dunkley (D)
District 98
Mitch Rosenwald (D)
District 99
Daryl Campbell (D)
District 100
Chip LaMarca (R)
District 101
Hillary Cassel (R)
District 102
Michael Gottlieb (D)
District 103
Robin Bartleman (D)
District 104
District 105
Marie Woodson (D)
District 106
Fabián Basabe (R)
District 107
Wallace Aristide (D)
District 108
Dotie Joseph (D)
District 109
Ashley Gantt (D)
District 110
Tom Fabricio (R)
District 111
David Borrero (R)
District 112
Alex Rizo (R)
District 113
Vicki Lopez (R)
District 114
District 115
Omar Blanco (R)
District 116
Daniel Perez (R)
District 117
Kevin Chambliss (D)
District 118
Mike Redondo (R)
District 119
District 120
Jim Mooney (R)
Republican Party (87)
Democratic Party (32)
Vacancies (1)
