'I'm Running For Congress,' Rep. Ben Diamond Seeks Crist's Seat

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Democrat State Rep. Ben Diamond announced Monday morning at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg that he is running for U.S. Congress in hopes of filling U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist's seat.

"The challenge we face today is the same challenge that Americans have always faced," Diamond said at a news conference. "Our duty is to renew the promise of American life and to preserve the future of our American dream. And that's why today that I'm announcing I'm running for Congress."

Diamond represents District 68 in the Florida House of Representatives. Crist made the official announcement he is running for governor Tuesday, May 4, at a news conference in south St. Pete. Crist served as governor of Florida from 2007-2011 as a Republican, and currently serves as a Democrat in District 13.

Diamond was first elected to the Florida Legislature in November 2016. He is a St. Petersburg resident, and was born in Clearwater, having grown up in Pinellas County. He graduated from Yale University and earned his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, according to his website.

Prior to Diamond making his official announcement at Monday's news conference, he wrote on Twitter, “Pinellas County is home and it always will be. I’m running for Congress because we still have a lot of work to do to make sure everyone who calls our community home has a fair shot at the American Dream."

Pinellas County is home and it always will be. I’m running for Congress because we still have a lot of work to do to make sure everyone who calls our community home has a fair shot at the American Dream.

Join us: https://t.co/TmpCnRUKbJ pic.twitter.com/6VL7HhzdO7
— Ben Diamond (@BenDiamondFL) May 10, 2021

Legislation Diamond is currently working on is local gun safety reform, his website said. "Since the tragic shooting in Parkland, we have had a lot of discussion about the horrific mass shootings in our schools," he said. "I will continue to advocate for a ban on assault weapons

and effective, universal background checks. I also believe that we must let local
governments work to find solutions to these problems."

He said he is also working on civic education and engagement.

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