Transgender mom-of-two is gunning to be Florida's first trans elected official as she runs for state House - two years after Ron DeSantis called her 'a shining example of a positive role model'

A DEI activist who is running to be Florida's first transgender state representative is touting a glowing endorsement from Governor Ron DeSantis in which he hailed her as a 'shining example of a positive role model'.

Ashley Brundage, who transitioned in 2008, is a former board member a board member of LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, and was honored by the state in 2022 for her campaigning.

DeSantis has waged war on Diversity Equality and Inclusion initiatives deriding them as 'discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination'.

But Brundage, 43, is confident that Republicans and independents will swing behind her bid for the Democratic nomination after reading his shower of praise for her work as a 'mentor and advocate to children and women'.

'I think that it definitely opens the door for a broader conversation across party lines,' she said.

Ashley Brundage was praised as a 'shining example of a positive role model' by Governor Ron DeSantis after winning a 'Spirit of the Community Award' for her work from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women

The 43-year-old, who transitioned in 2008, runs a consultancy offering DEI training and lessons in overcoming 'unconscious bias' to companies in Florida 

The Governor has pledged a 'war on woke' in his state and derided DEI initiatives as 'discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination'

The mother of two teenage boys is a former vice president of diversity and inclusion at PNC Bank, and runs her own consultancy offering leadership coaching to companies.

In 2022 she received a 'Spirit of the Community Award' for her work from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.

The Governor was not there for the awards ceremony but wrote to her shortly afterwards, telling her to 'keep up the great work!'

'I appreciate your dedication and a hard work as a mentor and advocate to children and women,' he told her.

'I am confident that you serve as a shining example of a positive role model in your community.

'As Governor, and the father of three children,' he continued, 'I believe that community involvement is essential as we work to improve and enrich the lives of others and engage in the issues that impact Florida families.

'Thank you for your selfless contributions to fellow Floridians. Best wishes for your continued success.'

The awards were established in 1991 to recognize people who work to improve the lives of women in the state.

The letter of congratulation the Governor sent to Brundage after her win in 2022

The mother-of-two teenage boys is seeking the Democrat nomination for House District 65

She set up her company, Empowering Differences, after battling homelessness and discrimination following her transition in 2008

DeSantis has made attacks on DEI a cornerstone of his governorship, cancelling funds for all programs in public universities and promising to end all public subsidies.

'The whole experiment with DEI is coming to an end in the state of Florida,' he said in May last year. 'We are eliminating the DEI programs.'

The Governor has not responded to requests for comment about his endorsement of Brundage, but the award scheme, which is run through the office of the state Attorney General, appears to have removed her from its list of 2022 winners.

That has not stopped Brundage from pointing to his words as she seeks the Democrat nomination for House District 65, currently represented by Karen Gonzalez Pittman.

'He knows I have built programs and helped to educate people around the state of Florida,' she told Fox13.

'He knows that I built economic empowerment programs for entrepreneurs.

'That is going to be something that is very important for the independents and the Republicans, who should think about voting for me.'

She is campaigning to lower the cost of insurance, protect small business from high overhead costs, and reproductive rights, hoping turnout will be boosted the presence of an abortion amendment on the ballot.

She claims that, if she wins, she will be the first transgender person elected to public office at any level in the state of Florida.

And she defended her work promoting diversity initiatives insisting it benefits the organizations that embrace it.

'Before it was called DEI, it used to just be considered leadership,' she said.

'The people in charge just learned as much as possible about the people who are different from them so they can work better with them.

'Empowering people shouldn't be threatening to anybody.'

She won endorsement this week from LPAC, a national organization that helps LGBTQ women and nonbinary candidates.

'In the face of relentless anti-LGBTQ legislation in Florida, Ashley Brundage's voice is not just important — it's essential,' said executive director Janelle Perez.

The Governor's letter has become a key part of her campaign to win over Republicans

'Real people are suffering with real problems,' she said. 'And instead, the Florida legislative body has been talking about culture wars'

'We are witnessing an unprecedented wave of policies that undermine the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Floridians.'

But Brundage downplays the idea that she will spearhead resistance to the Governor's 'war on woke'.

'As a mom, I just want my kids to be happy. I'm going to be there for them, just as the governor should be there for everybody in Florida,' she said.

'Real people are suffering with real problems. And instead, the Florida legislative body has been talking about culture wars.'

Dailymail.com has reached out to the Governor's office for comment.