Following the sudden tragic death of Congressional District 17 candidate April Freeman, Allen Ellison has been chosen to replace her.

The Florida Democratic Party followed the process laid out by Florida Statutes, which calls on the county parties of each county in the Congressional District to vote to nominate a candidate. That candidate could not have run for office this year.

Allen Ellison is a community leader in Highlands County, who founded the Center for Economic & Policy Development, Inc. (The Center) to facilitate economic growth throughout Central Florida and rural parts of the country.

“We congratulate Allen on his nomination, and thank everyone who stepped up to run under such unfortunate circumstances,” said FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo. “This has been a difficult process for everyone involved as April was a beloved member of the Democratic Party. We know Allen will continue the hard work she started to turn Florida’s 17th Congressional District blue.”