The Ballot Brief
Seminole County, Florida

Florida House District 38

2 candidates are tracked for Florida House District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nik Dean and Emily Duda Buckley. Candidate information follows official Seminole County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Nik Dean (Democratic), Emily Duda Buckley (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 38. Not on the November ballot: David Smith, the sitting member per the roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Florida › Seminole County › Florida House District 38

Nik Dean

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Lowering everyday costs for groceries, gas, housing, healthcare and insurance
  • Raising wages for working families

Per the Florida Democratic Party.

Biography

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 was found as of September 11, 2026.

Emily Duda Buckley

Republican

Top priorities
  • Cost-of-living relief
  • Property tax reduction
  • Home insurance affordability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Next on your ballotFlorida House District 39

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Florida House District 38 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Florida House District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nik Dean and Emily Duda Buckley. Candidate information follows official Seminole County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Florida House District 38 election in Florida?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Florida are on the Florida election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Seminole County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Seminole County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified September 12, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Florida election office, or see the full Seminole County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Seminole County ballot

7 tracked races in Seminole County, Florida. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Seminole County Commissioner District 4Seminole County Court Judge, Group 6Florida Senate District 10See all 7 Seminole County races
Candidate profiles
Nik Dean, full profileEmily Duda Buckley, full profileOfficial Florida election office