Sarah Henry

Sarah Henry is a Democrat running for State House District 38. Henry is a project manager for Med-Project, a non-profit that offers free pharmaceutical disposal. She said she moved to Seminole County to start a family in a safe environment with a strong public school system. Henry said that she’s watched state elected officials attack the things that Henry finds so beautiful about Florida, such as public schools, parks and the LGBTQ+ community and that she wants to fight for those institutions and groups. 

“Thank you for participating in our Democracy, these systems are the things that make us the best country in the world. Voting, no matter who you are voting for, is the most important thing you can do by Nov. 5. We deserve a legislature who fights about the issues that matter to Floridians. I think we deserve a Legislature that is willing to debate and compromise and participate in what we know is the foundation of democracy. Fighting to get better policies.” 

Henry is endorsed by Oviedo City Councilwoman Natalie Teuchert, Winter Springs City Commissioner Victoria Bruce and the Florida Leadership Council, among others. Learn more. 

Over the course of Henry’s 2024 campaign, she has raised $339,053.91 and spent $115,182.59, according to Transparency USA. 

OCN Q&A

OCN created a profile for each candidate and sent each candidate a list of questions that we created based on input from residents of Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs. Each candidate within a specific race got the same list of questions at the same time and had a 50-word limit per question. Answers were only edited for grammar and clarity.

Housing

Q: Some residents say they’re being driven out of the parts of Florida by a shortage of affordable housing. According to the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies’ 2023 annual report, the statewide median single-family home price hit a new peak of $400,000 in the first half of 2023. Seminole County was in the third most expensive housing price range in the state with $400,000 to $499,000 as the median single-family home price. The graph below compares the statewide affordable/available housing supply to renter households for six income groups, divided by how much they earn relative to the area median income (AMI): 0-30%, 0-40%, 0-50%, 0-60%, 0-80%, and 0-120%. For example, if the area median income is $50,000, somebody earning $25,000 would be at 50% AMI. Somebody earning $60,000 would be at 120% AMI.

How, if at all, would you address that problem?

A: Legislators must fully fund the Sadowskksi Fund, a dedicated resource meant to support the development and preservation of affordable housing units and fund housing assistance programs. I will support the end of fund redirection and increased investment in the American dream of homeownership and stability.

Q: Sharp increases in homeowners insurance in Florida over the past several years coupled with big storms causing flooding and other damage has left many property owners with some of the highest insurance premiums in the nation and some struggling to get coverage at all. What is your plan to help bring relief and security to property owners in the state?

A: I support increasing accountability and transparency with regard to the $3 billion moving from taxpayer pockets to insurance company bottom lines. This challenge also requires creative problem-solving, including further workshops on HB1213 (2024), which would reform the operations of Citizens Insurance to reduce costs.

Education

Q: The Economic Policy Institute recently said a larger federal role in education funding would help prevent funding issues during economic downturns, such as the cuts Florida experienced during and after the Great Recession. What will you do to improve or stabilize education funding for the state? 

A: Despite public education being a key economic driver in Seminole County, no member of the Seminole County legislative delegation sits on the Education Committee in Tallahassee. I will fight to add a member of our delegation and to bring state and federal funding to SCPS.

Q: Recently Florida has been in the national spotlight for well-publicized changes to its college system, including efforts to ban certain types of history education in public universities. Recently the Wall Street Journal released its Best Colleges and Universities ranking which showed Florida schools fell significantly in the rankings compared to last year. What are your thoughts on recent changes to our college system, and the necessity of teaching a complete history to Florida’s students? 

A: I support free community college, economic incentives for four year and trade schools, cracking down on a predatory for-profit college industry. I also support leaving curricula decisions to experienced, professional curriculum design experts and educators who will educate on Florida’s full history.

Environmental/climate

Q: In light of environmental issues that have become more in the spotlight with the flood damage from Hurricane Ian, plus regular record-setting heat, what will you do to help prepare and safeguard our area from climate concerns? Do you believe that development of wetlands counters sustainability efforts? If so, what will you do to change that? 

A: Increased investment in public transportation and walkable community development are key pieces of any successful strategy to address both development needs and the ongoing climate crisis. I will protect our existing rural lands and identify opportunities to build up, not out.

Q: Oviedo Community News recently published a collaborative project about the role of multiple levels of government and private landowners in protecting the Florida Wildlife Corridor. How do you respond to residents who are upset by the bulldozing of green spaces for residential and commercial development, especially in light of recent efforts to develop state parks with golf courses and hotels? 

A: Any work to change how our communities live, work, and play must be transparent, not conducted in the back rooms of Tallahassee away from the eyes of the public. I will advocate for increased transparency and for protection of the environmental gems that keep our state beautiful.

Infrastructure

Q: Hurricane Ian in 2022 exposed numerous infrastructure issues in Florida, as aging stormwater systems, bridges and roads showed their vulnerability to heavy storms. Though the American Rescue Plan Act helped some, still much more funding is necessary to help cities and counties rebuild their infrastructure. What will you do to make sure your district gets what it needs? 

A: I will work across the aisle with State Senator Jason Brodeur and Congressman Cory Mills to bring investment home to our community from Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. alike. Despite partisan differences, we all share the drive to build a brighter tomorrow for our neighborhoods.

Reproductive rights 

Q: Florida voters will weigh in on Amendment 4, which will ‘limit government interference with abortion’. Do you plan to support the outcome of that vote no matter what it may be?

A: When in Tallahassee, I will act on the will of the voters of District 38.

Local business

Q: Many small businesses are struggling in the face of challenges such as inflation. What will you do to increase support for local businesses in your district? 

A: My priority is to expand opportunities for students in our public high schools to develop the trade skills that are in high demand across the state. I will also meet with business owners across the district to develop plans to support their needs.