Florida House District 38

Nik Dean is a Democratic candidate for Florida House District 38 in Seminole County. He is an attorney who lives in Maitland with his family, and holds a degree in philosophy and political science from Tufts University and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, according to the Florida Democratic Party. During law school he volunteered at the Health Rights Clinic, helping homeless individuals and disabled veterans access benefits. He was selected by Democratic leadership to replace a prior nominee on the ballot for the open seat and faces Republican Emily Duda Buckley, per Florida Politics. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

Emily Duda Buckley is a fifth-generation Central Floridian, an adoptive mother and licensed foster parent who has worked as a Guardian Ad Litem, according to her campaign. She has also worked on the Florida House Appropriations Committee staff and as Legislative Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, per the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and is a Republican candidate for the open Florida House District 38 seat.