Gainesville native Malik Moore kicked off his campaign for the Florida House District 21 seat at Barbara Higgins Park in Gainesville on Wednesday, with a crowd of about 25 gathered to cheer him on.
District 21 includes parts of Gainesville, eastern Alachua County, western Ocala and Marion County.
Moore said he’s running to fight for affordable healthcare, affordable housing and protecting children’s rights in schools.
The district’s current representative, Yvonne Hayes Hinson, endorsed the 26-year-old democratic candidate at the event. Moore was Hinson’s campaign coordinator from 2016 to 2018 during her run for U.S. Congress. He started working for Hinson when he was 17, making him the youngest person in campaign leadership in North Central Florida.
“He has been preparing for this his entire life,” Hinson said. “This is why Malik has my complete support and endorsement.”
Hinson said Moore was indispensable on her team, helping her write speeches and prepare for debates. He tried taking a gap year before college to further her campaign, but she encouraged him to enroll and pursue his passion in politics, she said.
Moore attended Florida State University, earning his bachelor’s in political science and a master’s degree in applied American politics and policy.
While in college, he spent six years in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served as an intern, legislative aid and a chief legislative aid under District 63 Rep. Dianne Hart.
He worked with Hart navigating property insurance processes and overseeing the Florida prison system. While working with her, Moore learned what true leadership looks like, he said.
“At this moment in our state, we cannot afford on-the-job training,” Moore said. “We need someone who knows the job … I am prepared to do just the thing.”
Angela Terrell, a 78-year-old Gainesville resident, said she has known Moore his whole life, adding that he was destined for greatness. Terrell led the crowd in a chant for Moore.
“Who is a great character? Who was destined for a time such as this?” Terrell asked as the crowd chanted Moore’s name in response. “Who shall be our next representative for District 21 in the state of Florida?”
Moore said it was personal for him to run in District 21, where he grew up. He reflected on playing in Barbara Higgins Park as a child and receiving emotional support from his grandmother. District 21 is where he learned the power of belonging, he added.
Elections for the Florida House of Representatives will take place Nov. 3, 2026.
Contact Logan McBride at lmcbride@alligator.org. Follow him on X @logandmcbride.
Logan McBride is a journalism junior and the Fall 2025 K-12 education reporter. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV shows or playing basketball at Southwest Rec. He is also a big football fan and will die for Dak Prescott.
