One single mother of eight is striving to be the change she wants to see during the unemployment crisis in Florida.
Kelly Johnson first started by making a Facebook group for those struggling to get their unemployment benefits.
“We started protesting and instead of just complain about it, try to put our heads together to do something,” Johnson said.
That Facebook group attracted thousands of members, all constructively guiding each other on certain steps that have helped them in the unemployment benefits battle.
“People were talented,” Johnson said. “We got a lot of progress I’d say.”
Johnson reached out to many state officials to help them fight for their benefits without much success.
“It was at that point that something in me said, just got that courage to say, ‘Kelly, why don’t you run for office?’ And I was like, ‘oh my god, I’m a mess. How can I run for office?’”
As a single mother with eight kids and pretty much teetering on the red and blue line, she knows she’s not your typical candidate.
“But you know what? I might look like a mess, but Tallahassee is a mess,” Johnson laughed. “And inside, maybe I’m much better than they think I am.”
The news of her campaign spread on Facebook and many are ecstatic to have someone take a real stand for those who are unemployed in Florida. But Johnson says when talking to those serving in government, they don’t think she has a chance.
“Nobody thinks I’m ever going to win,” Johnson said.
But Johnson says it’s not even about winning for her.
“It’s about making a stand and integrity and I even said ‘if my opponent started putting people first and connecting with them, I’d vote for him,'" she said.
Johnson says even if she doesn’t win, she hopes she can inspire others around the state challenge those in Tallahassee to hear their voices, whether it be by running in an election or simply voting.
“They just say ‘hey, Kelly Johnson did it, and I want to do it,’” Johnson said. “And that’s who I want to be.”
