Patricia Krentcil, best known as “Tan Mom,” has officially entered the political arena, filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to run for U.S. Senate in Florida. The former Nutley resident, now living in Boca Raton, will be challenging incumbent GOP Senator Rick Scott in the 2024 Senate elections.
TMZ first reported her entry into politics.
Krentcil’s political aspirations were announced following her recent appearance in the reality TV show “Tan to 10,” a series chronicling her efforts to quit tanning as part of an “extreme life makeover.” During the show, she revealed forging a bond with the LGBTQ+ community and expressed a desire to translate these connections into political change in Washington D.C.
The 55-year-old single mother of five is running as a Republican. This step into politics marks a significant departure from her earlier public persona. In 2012, Krentcil faced charges of child endangerment for allegedly exposing her daughter Anna to artificial UV rays in a Nutley salon.
Though a grand jury declined to indict her in 2013, the incident has continued to affect her, as she revealed in an interview last year.
Krentcil’s Senate campaign represents a new chapter in her life and an unusual transition from reality television to public service.
As the election draws nearer, her campaign strategy, political views, and how she intends to utilize her unique experiences and connections for the betterment of her state will become more evident.
Her entry into the political field adds an unexpected twist to what promises to be a closely-watched Senate race.
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