Rachel Saunders Plakon is a Republican representing Florida House District 36 , with offices in Longwood and Tallahassee. Born June 17, 1979, in Dothan, Alabama, she moved to Florida in 2013 and resides in Lake Mary. A business owner in real estate investment and brokerage, she is married to Scott Plakon and has one daughter, Esther Grace "Gracie." Her Christian faith influences her community involvement, including recreational interests like reading, singing, and surfing. Elected in 2022 and reelected subsequently, her terms extend to 2030. Notable achievements include sponsoring and passing 7 bills in her first term, such as HB 1589 to combat illegal immigration , voting for $4.2 billion in tax cuts , and record teacher salary increases. She champions lower taxes, taxpayer rights, rural boundary protection, and law-and-order policies. Earlier, at age 11, she co-founded a nationally recognized youth drug prevention program endorsed by the Florida Sheriffs Association; she served on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BS in Mass Media Communications , Oral Roberts University, 1997-2001 ; Corporate MBA, Florida International University, 2010-2011.
• Political Experience:
  • Elected to Florida House in 2022 for District 36; reelected, serving through 2030.
  • Committees : Health & Human Services Committee; Joint Legislative Auditing Committee; subcommittees on Constitutional Rights/Rule of Law/Government Operations, Criminal Justice, Insurance & Banking, Local Administration/Federal Affairs/Special Districts.
  • Prior roles: Vice chair of local Planning and Zoning Board; Florida Commission on the Status of Women; Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission .
  • Professional background: Started house-flipping business ; Land Specialist at NAI Realvest , serving clients like Orlando-Sanford International Airport; worked on Governor’s child mentoring initiative post-graduation.