Fiona McFarland

Fiona Fuller McFarland[1] (born 1985) is an American U.S. Navy reservist and a state legislator in Florida. She serves in the Florida House of Representatives representing the 73rd district, which covers parts of Sarasota. She is a member of the Republican Party. McFarland is the daughter of former White House National Security Advisor KT McFarland.[2]

Fiona McFarland
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 73rd district
Assumed office
November 8, 2022
(redistricted)
Preceded byTommy Gregory
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 72nd district
In office
November 4, 2020 – November 8, 2022
Preceded byMargaret Good
Succeeded byTommy Gregory
Personal details
Born (1985-11-15) November 15, 1985
Political partyRepublican
RelativesK. T. McFarland (mother)
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
University of North Carolina (MBA)
WebsiteGovernment website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service2008–2016 (Active)
2016–present (Reserve)

She was elected on November 3, 2020, defeating lawyer Drake Buckman by 9.2 points, (9,285 votes) and assumed the office the next day.[3][4][5][6] She won re-election in 2022.[7]

Military service and political career

McFarland joined the United States Navy in June 2008 after attending the United States Naval Academy, earning a BS in political science and international relations. She served in the navy until 2016, and now serves in the navy reserves.[8]

In June 2019, McFarland announced that she would be running to unseat the incumbent Democratic representative Margaret Good in the 72nd district of the Florida House of Representative.[9] However, in July 2019, Good announced that she would be running to unseat Vern Buchanan in the race for Florida's 16th congressional district.[10] During the Republican primary, McFarland faced local hospital board member Donna Barcomb and attorney Jason Miller. McFarland widely outspent both primary opponents and narrowly won the primary by 1.2 points (263 votes).[11][12][13] She defeated attorney Drake Buckman in the general election.[14]

References
  1. "Fiona McFarland, Matthew Melton". The New York Times. May 22, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. Ogles, Jacob (2019-06-05). "What impact will K.T. McFarland have on daughter Fiona McFarland's state House race?". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  3. Anderson, Zac (November 3, 2020). "Republican Fiona McFarland wins Florida House District 72 race". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  4. "Fiona McFarland". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  5. "Fiona McFarland rose quickly from newcomer to Election Day winner". Florida Politics. 5 November 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. "Drake Buckman". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  7. "Republican Fiona McFarland wins Florida House District 73 in Sarasota County". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  8. "Florida State Rep. Fiona McFarland - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  9. Anderson, Zac. "Daughter of former Trump administration official running for Sarasota state House seat". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  10. "Margaret Good Announces Congressional Bid". Sarasota Magazine. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  11. "State Representative District 72: Donna Barcomb | Sarasota". Your Observer. 2020-07-26. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  12. "Donna Barcomb kicks spending into gear as battle with Fiona McFarland draws to close". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  13. Anderson, Zac. "Navy Reserve officer Fiona McFarland wins GOP nomination in bellwether Florida legislative race". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  14. "Florida House of Representatives District 72". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-09-28.


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