Art Stresing, a 43-year-old Democrat, is running for Florida House of Representatives District 18 in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Republican Kim Kendall.

Stresing is a first-time candidate. Asked why he is running, Stresing said in our candidate questionnaire: "I've been a public servant for over 11 years working as an attorney at the Public Defender's Office in downtown Jacksonville. This is an opportunity to help more people on a larger scale. I felt like I was on this track before COVID, but my late wife was diagnosed with cancer and when she passed I had to make sure my kids were okay and flourishing before I ran for office."

Candidate information

Age: 43

Party: Democrat

Family: Stresing said in our questionnaire: "I am the son of a white disabled Navy Veteran and a Filipina immigrant mother. I got remarried to my beautiful African-American wife, Brittney, who is on active duty orders in the U.S. Navy. My late wife is Jamaican, so our kids are half-Jamaican. My son, Banner Logan is 7yrs old. My daughter Phoenix Storm is 10yrs old."

Education: Notre Dame High School, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Stresing said on his campaign website he worked his way through college as a recruited walk-on on the University at Buffalo's Division I football team. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University at Buffalo in 2006 and a juris doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2010, according to News4JAX.

Background: Stresing described his political experience to News4JAX as: "First time running. Active voter." Asked in our questionnaire whether anyone in his family works in politics or government, he said: "Nope."

Experience and public service

Occupation: Stresing said in our questionnaire: "I've been an attorney at the Public Defender's Office in downtown Jacksonville for over 11 years. I've handled 6000+ cases and helped thousands of clients get the mental health and addiction help they needed while also helping set innocent people free."

Community involvement: Stresing listed bar association service in our questionnaire, including: "Jacksonville Asian-American Bar Association, President: 2014-2018" and "Florida Bar Grievance Committee … Chair: 2021-2022." He also listed service on the Florida Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Governmental and Public Policy Advocacy Committee.

Endorsements: The St. Johns County Democratic Party, NW St Johns County United For Progress, the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida and the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida are among groups endorsing Stresing, according to his campaign's endorsements page.

On the issues

What sets him apart: Asked about critical differences between himself and other candidates, Stresing said in our questionnaire: "I am purely grassroots. I don't accept money from lobbyists. I was also a former Republican and Independent where half my friends are Republicans … My opponent voted for SB 686, Agricultural Enclave Bill which has infuriated our Saint Johns Residents. When she got called out, she blamed everyone else for not explaining the bill when it's literally her ONLY JOB."

Life experience: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Stresing said in our questionnaire: "Working full time as a Public Defender while being a caregiver to my cancer-stricken, immunocompromised wife during a pandemic while raising two kids THEN having to deal with being a single widower while also working full-time and raising my grieving kids has given me a much greater perspective on how hard life can be, so everything after that experience has been a piece of cake."

Education funding: Stresing told Jax Today that public schools have been "bled dry" by the state's voucher program. He said he wants legislation to increase school funding, raise teacher salaries and limit vouchers to those who truly need them.

Healthcare: Stresing told News4JAX he supports expanding Medicaid so childless adults and struggling families are covered.

Best advice: Asked about the best advice he ever received, Stresing said in our questionnaire: "My grandfather on my dad's side gave me three pieces of advice: 1. Never let anyone misspell your last name. 2. Always carry a pocket knife. 3. If you ever get in a fight with multiple guys, focus on one and make sure that guy goes to the hospital with you."