Florida House Candidate with Autism Seeks to Unseat Incumbent

Michael Lincoln-McCreight aims to become the first person with autism spectrum disorder elected to the Florida House, but his campaign has been overshadowed by a viral video controversy.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Michael Lincoln-McCreight, a 30-year-old Republican candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in District 41, is seeking to become the first person with autism spectrum disorder elected to the state legislature. However, his campaign has been overshadowed by a viral video that shows him yelling a racial slur at a Black 7-Eleven employee. Despite the controversy, Lincoln-McCreight is running on a platform focused on disability rights, affordable housing, and expanded public transportation.

Why it matters

Lincoln-McCreight's candidacy highlights the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in seeking elected office, as well as the broader issues of accessibility, inclusion, and representation in the political process. His campaign also touches on important policy debates around guardianship reform, affordable housing, and public transportation.

The details

As a first-time candidate, Lincoln-McCreight is running to unseat incumbent Democratic Rep. Bruce Antone in House District 41, which includes parts of Orange County. Lincoln-McCreight says he launched his campaign partly out of frustration that Antone is not accessible as a representative, adding that the incumbent does not attend public events. However, Antone says he has met with Lincoln-McCreight multiple times and is willing to work with him on disability issues.

  • In 2014, when Lincoln-McCreight turned 18 and aged out of a foster home, a professional guardian filed a petition claiming he still needed a caretaker, leading to him being declared incapacitated and placed in a group home.
  • In 2016, Lincoln-McCreight was able to fight the guardianship and replace it with a supported decision-making agreement, becoming the first person in Florida to successfully do so.
  • Last year, a TikTok video surfaced showing Lincoln-McCreight yelling a racial slur at a Black 7-Eleven employee, which has overshadowed his campaign.
  • The Florida House District 41 primary election will be held on August 18, 2026, with the general election following on November 3, 2026.

The players

Michael Lincoln-McCreight

A 30-year-old Republican candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in District 41, who aims to become the first person with autism spectrum disorder elected to the state legislature.

Rep. Bruce Antone

The Democratic incumbent serving House District 41, which includes parts of Orange County.

Disability Rights Florida

The organization that connected Lincoln-McCreight with a lawyer who helped him fight his wrongful guardianship in 2016.

Rep. Dana Trabulsy

The Fort Pierce Republican who represents House District 84 and is a role model for Lincoln-McCreight, having co-sponsored a law that helps individuals with disabilities avoid abusive guardianships.

Jane't Buford-Johnson

The Democratic candidate who will face Antone in the primary election for House District 41.

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What they’re saying

“That was several years ago, before I decided to run for office and before I was even mature. People with autism have verbal outbursts, that's all there is to it... That's not the real me. I grew up in Fort Pierce, surrounded by African-American people, and I have African-American friends.”

— Michael Lincoln-McCreight, Candidate for Florida House District 41 (Vox Populi)

“I have met with him twice in probably the last three weeks in Tallahassee. Once with him and his girlfriend, and then I think just this last week. I said, 'Man, I saw the N-word tape. That was interesting.' He says 'Oh, that was two years ago.' And then he asked me to try to help him get back on the Disability Board by calling the Mayor's Office ... because they had ruined his reputation.”

— Rep. Bruce Antone, Incumbent Florida House District 41 (Vox Populi)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.