Amber Mariano is a senior majoring in political science at the University of Central Florida. In November, she became the youngest person ever elected to the Florida House of Representatives.
Republican Mariano, who recently turned 21, squeaked out a narrow 691-vote victory over her opponent, an incumbent Democrat in Florida’s 36th House District. The district encompasses Hudson and new Port Richey on Florida’s west coast, north of the Tampa metropolitan area. Florida requires that candidates for the state House of Representatives be 21 years old. Mariano met the requirement with three weeks to spare.
Despite her young age, Mariano has some experience in politics. Her father, Jack, has won four terms as a commissioner in Pasco County, Florida. She has also worked in the Washington office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and as an intern for two members of the Florida House of Representatives.
Mariano has pledged to make higher education reform one of her key focuses in the state legislature. She also plans to enroll in law school.