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Tom Keen
Tom Keen is running for election to the Orlando City Council to represent District 1 in Florida. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Keen (Democratic Party) was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 35. He assumed office on January 16, 2024. He left office on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Tom Keen served in the U.S. Navy from 1982 to 2003. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1978. His career experience includes working as a business executive and as a business development manager in the training and simulation market for an aerospace company. Keen has been affiliated with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, Disabled American Veterans, the US Naval Institute, the US Navy League, and the Military Officers Association of America.[1][2]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Orlando, Florida (2025)
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
General election for Orlando City Council District 1
Incumbent Jim Gray, Manny Acosta, Sunshine Grund, and Tom Keen are running in the general election for Orlando City Council District 1 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Jim Gray (Nonpartisan) | |
Manny Acosta (Nonpartisan) | ||
![]() | Sunshine Grund (Nonpartisan) | |
![]() | Tom Keen (Nonpartisan) |
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kevin Kendrick (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2024
Regular election
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Erika Booth defeated incumbent Tom Keen in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Erika Booth (R) | 52.0 | 47,863 |
![]() | Tom Keen (D) | 48.0 | 44,209 |
Total votes: 92,072 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Tom Keen advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Erika Booth defeated Laura Gomez McAdams in the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on August 20, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Erika Booth | 63.3 | 5,749 |
Laura Gomez McAdams | 36.7 | 3,329 |
Total votes: 9,078 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dianna Liebnitzky (R)
- Demetries Grimes (R)
- Fred Hawkins (R)
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Keen in this election.
Special election
See also: Florida state legislative special elections, 2024
General election
Special general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Tom Keen defeated Erika Booth in the special general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on January 16, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Tom Keen (D) ![]() | 51.3 | 11,392 |
![]() | Erika Booth (R) | 48.7 | 10,803 |
Total votes: 22,195 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Tom Keen defeated Rishi Bagga and Marucci Guzman in the special Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Tom Keen ![]() | 35.8 | 2,419 |
![]() | Rishi Bagga | 33.7 | 2,278 | |
![]() | Marucci Guzman ![]() | 30.4 | 2,053 |
Total votes: 6,750 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Erika Booth defeated Scotty Moore and Kenneth Davenport in the special Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Erika Booth | 49.7 | 3,710 |
![]() | Scotty Moore ![]() | 33.6 | 2,507 | |
![]() | Kenneth Davenport ![]() | 16.8 | 1,253 |
Total votes: 7,470 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Demetries Grimes (R)
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Keen's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Keen in this election.
2022
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Incumbent Fred Hawkins defeated Rishi Bagga in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Fred Hawkins (R) | 55.4 | 32,858 | |
![]() | Rishi Bagga (D) ![]() | 44.6 | 26,447 |
Total votes: 59,305 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Rishi Bagga defeated Tom Keen and Tahitiana Munoz-Chaffin in the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Rishi Bagga ![]() | 38.7 | 4,060 |
![]() | Tom Keen ![]() | 38.1 | 4,003 | |
![]() | Tahitiana Munoz-Chaffin ![]() | 23.2 | 2,432 |
Total votes: 10,495 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Incumbent Fred Hawkins defeated Kenneth Davenport and Dianna Liebnitzky in the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Fred Hawkins | 52.2 | 5,733 | |
![]() | Kenneth Davenport | 32.7 | 3,589 | |
![]() | Dianna Liebnitzky | 15.1 | 1,654 |
Total votes: 10,976 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Campaign finance
2017
The city of Orlando, Florida, held elections for city council on December 5, 2017. A primary took place on November 7, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was September 8, 2017. Three of seven council seats were up for election. Incumbent Jim Gray defeated Tom Keen and Sunshine Grund in the general election for the District 1 seat on the Orlando City Council.[3]
Orlando City Council, District 1 General Election, 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
53.18% | 1,621 |
Tom Keen | 39.63% | 1,208 |
Sunshine Grund | 7.19% | 219 |
Total Votes | 3,048 | |
Source: Orange County Supervisor of Elections, "2017 City of Orlando General Election," accessed November 7, 2017 |
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tom Keen has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Tom Keen, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
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Help improve Ballotpedia - send us candidate contact info.
2024
State House
Tom Keen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Keen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|As a Navy Commander, Tom was responsible for the safety and well-being of his Sailors, and he brings the same dedication to his political career. He's alarmed by the direction Florida has taken under Governor DeSantis and the nearly 30 years of Republican supermajority in Tallahassee. Tom believes Florida is in trouble and that we owe it to our children and future generations to ensure a brighter future.
Tom's campaign is firmly rooted in the values of the Democratic Party. He's committed to preserving rural communities, promoting smart growth, expanding access to healthcare, protecting reproductive rights, addressing affordability issues, and actively involving young people in the political process.
With Tom Keen, you get a true advocate for the people, someone who understands servant leadership and the importance of representing constituents' best interests. Tom's vision for Florida is one of progress, equality, and opportunity for all.
- Experience and Dedication: With 21 years serving in the U.S. Navy and two more decades in the business world, I bring a lifetime of leadership and commitment to the table. My career has been defined by service, and I'm dedicated to serving the people of Florida with the same passion and integrity.
- Fighting for a Better Florida: I'm deeply concerned about the direction our state has taken under Republican leadership.As State Representative, I'll champion progressive values and work tirelessly to protect our communities, our environment, and our future.
- A Voice for All: I believe in inclusivity and actively involving young people in our political process. Together, we can build a brighter future for Florida—one that's equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of every resident.
Environmental Conservation: Protecting our natural resources and combating climate change are top priorities. I'm committed to policies that promote clean energy, conservation, and sustainable practices to ensure a healthier environment for future generations.
Public Education: Quality education is the foundation of a strong society. I advocate for affordable access to education, from pre-K to college, to level the playing field and empower our youth.
Healthcare: Accessible and affordable healthcare is a fundamental right. I'm dedicated to ensuring everyone can receive quality medical care without financial barriers.
Financial Security: I'm committed to addressing critical financial issues, including fixing the property insurance crisis in Florida and making housing more affordable. We must make it more affordable for residents to live in our great state.
LGBTQIA+ Rights: I'm a staunch advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. Every individual should have the right to love whomever they choose and live authentically, free from discrimination.
Integrity: I am committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. My decisions and actions will always be guided by honesty and transparency.
Leadership: My years of experience in the Navy, where I was responsible for the safety and well-being of my team, have honed my leadership skills. I understand the importance of collaboration and making tough decisions for the greater good.
Listening Skills: I value the input and concerns of my constituents. I will actively seek out their feedback and ensure their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
Problem Solving: I have a track record of finding innovative solutions to complex challenges. Whether it's addressing the property insurance crisis or defending public education, I'm committed to finding practical, effective solutions.
This relationship should be characterized by open and transparent communication, where the legislature holds the governor accountable for their actions and decisions. While cooperation and collaboration between the branches of government are generally beneficial, when there are concerns about executive overreach or actions contrary to the public good, the legislature must exercise its oversight authority effectively.
Compromise encourages collaboration, fosters unity, and helps find common ground. It allows us to move forward, even in situations where there are competing priorities. While it may require concessions, it ultimately results in solutions that are more balanced and sustainable.
Environmental Conservation: Protecting our natural resources and combating climate change are top priorities. I'm committed to policies that promote clean energy, conservation, and sustainable practices to ensure a
healthier environment for future generations.
Public Education: Quality education is the foundation of a strong society. I advocate for affordable access to education, from pre-K to college, to level the playing field and empower our youth.
Healthcare: Accessible and affordable healthcare is a fundamental right. I'm dedicated to ensuring everyone can receive quality medical care without financial barriers.
Financial Security: I'm committed to addressing critical financial issues, including fixing the property insurance crisis in Florida and making housing more affordable. We must make it more affordable for residents to live in our great state.
LGBTQIA+ Rights: I'm a staunch advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. Every individual should have the right to love whomever they choose and live authentically, free from discrimination.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
State House
Tom Keen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Tom Keen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Keen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|Tom’s commitment to public service continued long after serving our country. He has been active in several veteran-service organizations and has served on both the City of Orlando Citizens’ Police Review Board and the Mayor’s Veteran Advisory Council. He has also participated in both Leadership Orlando and the Mayor’s City Academy.
Tom’s technical oversight and budgeting experience make him qualified to effectively serve and uplift our communities for all residents, well into the future. Tom has been married to Laura Keen for 32 years. They have two grown children and live in the Laureate Park neighborhood of Lake Nona.- Funding and Protecting Our Local Public Schools
- Our Right to Quality, Affordable Healthcare
- Protecting Florida’s Water, Ground, and Air
Tom believes the current state government has been interfering with local governments and small businesses, making to more difficult for them to succeed. He believes in Home Rule and preserving the power of local leaders and business owners.
Honor. Courage. Commitment.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2017
Keen participated in Ballotpedia's 2017 survey of municipal government candidates.[4] The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what his top priority would be if elected, the candidate made the following statement:
“ | Smart growth, cooperation between various other government agencies. Proactive vision, includes multiple priorities (public safety, transportation, economic development, etc)[5] | ” |
—Tom Keen (September 7, 2017)[6] |
Ranking the issues
The candidate was asked to rank the following issues by importance in the city, with 1 being the most important and 12 being the least important: city services (trash, utilities, etc.), civil rights, crime reduction/prevention, environment, government transparency, homelessness, housing, K-12 education, public pensions/retirement funds, recreational opportunities, transportation, and unemployment. This table displays this candidate's rankings from most to least important.
Issue importance ranking | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate's ranking |
Issue | Candidate's ranking |
Issue |
City services | Unemployment | ||
Government transparency | Environment | ||
Civil rights | Housing | ||
Crime reduction/prevention | K-12 education | ||
Homelessness | Public pensions/retirement funds | ||
Transportation | Recreational opportunities |
Nationwide municipal issues
The candidate was asked to answer questions from Ballotpedia regarding issues facing cities across America. The questions are in the left column and the candidate's responses are in the right column. Some questions provided multiple choices, which are noted after those questions.
Question | Response |
---|---|
Very important | |
Cities and municipalities should be able to set a minimum wage that exceeds the state's, if it is in the best interest of their local constituents. | |
Public outreach/education programs. Community policing and community involvement are key components of public safety. Building trust between residents and officers will improve public safety. | |
Recruiting new businesses to your city. Orlando can recruit new businesses to our city, without tax-dollar giveaways, by creating a better place to live and travel to work. We can better prepare for rapid growth through collaboration between communities and levels of government. Our economy will inevitably grow along with increased population, but we must make forward-thinking decisions that ensure everyone benefits from growth and development. | |
The positive reaction of our diverse and inclusive community that was shown in the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy | |
Greater collaboration between different levels of government to plan ahead. Our region is growing much more quickly than ever before, and city leaders must be advocates for every resident’s health, safety, and opportunities, far in advance of need. |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 9 to March 8.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Tom Keen for Orlando, "About Tom," accessed September 19, 2017
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 22, 2022
- ↑ City of Orlando, "Candidates for 2017 General Election," accessed September 8, 2017
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2017, "Tom Keen's Responses," September 7, 2017
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Fred Hawkins (R) |
Florida House of Representatives District 35 2024-2024 |
Succeeded by Erika Booth (R) |
|