Ocean Fitts

Ocean Fitts (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 71. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on August 18, 2026, was canceled.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Ocean Fitts, a public policy student, civic organizer, and Democratic candidate for Florida House District 71. I’m running because I believe government should be understandable, accountable, and useful to the people it serves. Too often, people feel like government is something distant that happens to them instead of something that belongs to them. I want to help change that.

My background is in public policy, civic education, and local organizing in Manatee County. Through that work, I’ve seen how many people care deeply about their communities but feel disconnected from the political process. I’ve also seen how much potential there is when people are invited in, listened to, and treated like their voice matters.

This campaign is rooted in a simple belief: the strength of government is measured in trust. When people pay into a system, they should feel the benefit of that system in their daily lives. That means taking affordability, insurance stability, education, infrastructure, water, growth, and local control seriously.

I’m not running because I think I have all the answers. I’m running because I’m willing to listen, learn, work hard, and think long-term. Florida deserves leaders who care more about building a stable future than capitalizing on the public’s trust for personal incentives. My goal is to represent District 71 with honesty, curiosity, and genuine interest.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running to make government more accountable, stable, and focused on the people it serves. Floridians pay into government, and they should feel the benefit of that system in their daily lives.Florida needs long-term planning, not short-term political games. That means taking insurance instability, affordability, infrastructure, water, growth, and education seriously before issues become crises.I believe local communities deserve a real voice. Tallahassee should not keep taking power away from cities, counties, schools, and the people closest to the issues.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about accountable government, insurance stability, education, infrastructure, local control, and long-term planning. I care deeply about making government more understandable and trustworthy, especially for people who feel disconnected from the political process. My campaign is rooted in the belief that government should help create a stable future, not just react after things fall apart.