FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The 2024 race for House District 99 pits an incumbent who’s a mental health specialist against a political novice and driving force behind a nonprofit targeting at-risk youths and special needs kids, in the primary election set for Aug. 20, 2024.

Fort Lauderdale native Joshauwa Lee Brown is challenging State Rep. Daryl Campbell for the district seat which covers Lazy Lake and parts of Oakland Park, Plantation, unincorporated Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors.

Campbell and Brown, both Democrats, are the only candidates in the race.

Brown, 40, told the South Florida Times, the district is lacking funding for youth programs to help interrupt the school to prison pipeline, or worse, gun violence deaths.

Brown’s political platform also includes state funding for improving drainage in the district and reducing flooding.

In April, Broward County experienced a record 25 inches of rainwater when flooding spilled into people’s homes and Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.

"There are not enough programs for teens after school," Brown said. "Gun violence among teens is a serious problem and we need funding to help get these kids inspired. They feel that there’s no hope and we need to show them we care about them and providing mediocre services is not getting it done."

Brown said House District 99 should be on the same level for funding services as House District 100 represented by Republican Rep. Chip LaMarca, which encompasses a portion of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lighthouse Point, and sections of Deerfield Beach.

"They are giving us little crumbs and saying all that we can give you," Brown said. But other nearby areas get enough funding for their projects and services. "I’ve seen this for two years and we are tired of it. It’s time for a change."

In 2020, Brown started Step Up, a nonprofit organization that empowers impoverished kids and adults to overcome hardships through human and service and advocacy, housing and education.

Brown was a job coach for Broward County Public Schools working with special needs students by preparing them for job interviews and helping them to become self-sufficient.

He said he and the school district parted ways during the COVID-19 pandemic when he and a school principal didn’t see eye to eye.

So, he decided to start a nonprofit to help kids as well.

Campbell couldn’t be reached for comment.

Campbell, who was first elected to political office in 2022 in a special election, co-sponsored a bill requiring state agencies to do more analysis on how sickle cell patients are using Medicaid services by investing more than $1 million for the program.

DeSantis signed the bill into law this year.

Campbell, 37, who also lives in Fort Lauderdale, serves on several House committees including the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight, Civil Justice Subcommittee and Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.

According to his campaign website, Campbell, born in New York and of Jamaican descent, earned his master’s degree in Social Work at Barry University, is a licensed addiction therapist and works with individuals struggling with substance use and mental health issues.

While working in Broward County’s drug court program, Campbell treated individuals suffering from destructive addictive behaviors.

He also worked to reduce the recidivism rate of those committing misdemeanor drug offenses.

Campbell is currently enrolled in Howard University’s Social Work PhD program in an effort to expand his awareness of community issues.

Campbell is endorsed by the Sun Sentinel, Broward Young Democrats, Florida Professional FireFighters and the Florida Education Association.