Stew campaigns to run the big house

Oct 30, 2012 by Dorie Cox

Chief Stew Elizabeth Anne “Libby” Eddy, 31, wants to manage something larger than an interior yacht crew; something more like the state of Florida. She is running for the Florida House of Representatives as the Republican candidate for a district that includes an area between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

 

Currently working freelance on yachts, Eddy said politics has been prominent in her life since she began handing out literature for her parents at age 6. But this is Eddy’s first campaign for office.

Between freelancing, campaigning and two debates in one day, Eddy explained how she got into yachting about three years ago. Although she grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, surrounded by yachting, she hadn’t considered it for a career until she met Chef Mahlon Kruse.

“To tell the truth, I fell in love with a chef on 142-footer,” Eddy said. “He hooked me up with a job on a 150-footer in New York.”

Later promoted to chief stew, she worked interior on the owner’s 150-foot Trinity , as well as his 116-foot Feadship and several apartments. She has most recently worked with M/Y Topps, an 80-foot Hatteras, M/Y Free Spirit, a 76-foot Pearson and M/Y One2sea, a 70-foot Hargrave.

Her decision to enter politics came during a period of unemployment. Eddy had studied political science at Broward College in South Florida and graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in health services and hospital administration.

“I was complaining when I couldn’t find a job,” Eddy said. “My father, who’s also in politics, said why are you complaining? Do something about it.

“God opened the door for me,” Eddy said. “So here I am.”

Eddy’s key platforms include health care, education, seniors and bringing jobs to South Florida. The election is Nov. 6. To follow her campaign, visit www.vote4eddy.org.

Dorie Cox is associate editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at [email protected].

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About Dorie Cox

Dorie Cox is a writer with Triton News.

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