PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. - Marylandian -- Evelyn Castillo-Bach of the City of Pembroke Pines in Broward County announces her intention to run for Governor of Florida in 2026 with the launch of her new website: https://evelyn4governor.org

Evelyn is a long-time registered Independent voter. Should she run, she will run as a Democrat.

"At this pivotal moment in the history of Florida and our country -- and as a registered Independent voter -- I feel it is my duty to vote my conscience and actively work on 'Making Florida Better' for all its citizens."

Evelyn was born and raised in New York City. She only learned to speak English when she was in 4th grade. She has been a resident of Pembroke Pines since 1998.

Her mom immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1948. Her dad was born and raised in Puerto Rico.

Evelyn became a teen mom at age 19, not married. She graduated cum laude from university with a study focus in cultural anthropology and biomedical sciences. Her M.S. (Master of Science) degree is from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Evelyn is the mother of three sons:

The youngest son is an aerospace engineer working in Munich, Germany. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Evelyn's middle son graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. He was an aspiring opera singer and film director. In May 2016 he succumbed to an epileptic seizure which caused catastrophic brain damage. His organs were donated.

Evelyn's first-born son was sentenced to Life in prison in 2001 after rejecting a 5-year plea deal in a he said / she said case in South Beach, Florida.The case involved no weapon, no gangs, no serious injury, no death, no trafficking, no drugs. He has currently served 23 years.

Evelyn and her husband Peter Bach have been together for nearly 30 years. Peter is a Danish national educated in Denmark and a lawyer who works in post-war countries focused on rule of law, security issues and human rights. He earned his Master of Laws (LLM) at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C.

Evelyn, as she prefers to be called, is currently the Executive Director of Balanced Justice Network - Changing the System. The organization founded in August of 2023 advocates for criminal justice reform, second chances and transparency in plea bargains and sentencing.

"Make no mistake. Balanced Justice Network," stated Evelyn, "advocates for Balanced Justice. This means the rule of law is supreme, no tolerance for organized criminality and brutalizing people -- but it also means fairness, balance, ethics and transparency."

Evelyn sees a bright future for Florida and its citizens:

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"I am an optimist. Florida is a beautiful State. The nature and climate is fantastic. Many do well here. But all Floridians also see and know that we have too many Floridians -- good people, hard working people -- who are barely making it or not making it at all. They are actually the working poor. They don't make enough money to afford childcare even if they work 2 or 3 jobs.

"Others can't afford an apartment. If they are lucky they pile up with other families or join the community of the 'shadow homeless'. Meanwhile too many Floridians among the middle class live in fear of losing their homes -- unable to afford increasing property taxes and property insurance and car insurance. Among the retired elderly with a modest retirement income, they face skyrocketing condo assessments, forcing many of these modest-income seniors to sell the condo they purchased years ago or face foreclosure and bankruptcy.

"Two-parent households and single moms and dads are unable to afford the childcare services they need so they can work to support their families. Children with epilepsy, autism and other special needs suffer from insufficient services they need and all of Florida's children live in fear of a shooter coming into their school to hurt them.

"We have enormous opportunities in Florida. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are central to Florida's future and are important partners in moving Florida into its best future. We have a strong talent pool of young people in our schools and universities ready to build an even brighter future.

For these reasons and many others, including women's rights, I feel compelled to announce my intention to run for Governor of Florida in 2026," emphasized Evelyn.

Evelyn Castillo-Bach is a registered Independent voter.