Truong drops out of House 71 Republican primary

On Thursday, Kristen Truong announced that she has dropped out of the Florida State House District 71 race. The seat is currently held by Rep. Will Robinson, who is prevented by term limits from seeking reelection in 2026. The district covers the western portion of Manatee County, stretching from Anna Maria Island to Palmetto.

"After careful consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my campaign for Florida House District 71," said Truong in a statement. "I’m deeply appreciative of the support and trust so many have placed in me throughout this process. It has been an honor to connect with so many members of our community and hear directly about the issues that matter most. While this particular chapter is coming to a close, my commitment to our community and to the issues we care about remains strong, and I look forward to continuing to stay engaged in meaningful ways. "

Truong is married to Manatee County Commission Chair Tal Siddique. Republicans Melton Little and Jordan Varnadore are currently active candidates in the race. Marie Masferrer is so far the only Democrat who has filed to run for the seat.