'Bachelor' contestant Marlena Haddad of Florida: What to know about former Trump aide

Do politics play a big role on "The Bachelor?"

Not really. But sometimes.

Millions will tune in to see Joey Graziadei deliver a red rose (and likely a proposal) to one lucky lady in the hit reality show "The Bachelor."

Will it be Marlena Haddad of Florida? Only time will tell.

Episodes of the reality TV dating show, now in its 28th season, air at 8 p.m. Mondays on ABC with streaming available the next day on Hulu.

Haddad, a 26-year-old finance writer from West Palm Beach, Florida, has ties to former president Donald Trump. According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked in the presidential personnel office in correspondence and research from 2020-2021. Her Instagram includes a group photo standing next to him giving a thumbs-up, as well as photos in the Oval Office.

In November 2022, she posted a photo of herself at Mar-a-Lago.

But she's not the only "Bachelor" contestant in the long-running series who publicly supported Trump.

Here are things to know about "Bachelor" contestant Marlena Haddad as she competes with 31 others for Graziadei's heart.

Who is Marlena Haddad from Florida? 'Bachelor' contestant was a former Trump aide

According to her bio on ABC, "Marlena is ready to commit and wants a man who's not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. Vulnerability is very important to her, and she's hoping Joey will show her his sensitive side. Marlena's loved ones describe her as optimistic, loyal and resilient. In five years, Marlena hopes to be married with two kids and continue fostering rescue dogs. Her dream job is to be a parent and she can't wait to enter her soccer mom era. Marlena considers herself a 'hopeful romantic' and always goes above and beyond to make her partner feel special. She's hoping Joey is ready to receive all the love she has to give."

"The Bachelor" official website also shared fun facts about Haddad, including her love of reading books by candlelight, her fondness for puppies and that "when Marlena golfs, she always drives the golf cart."

But before becoming a part of "The Bachelor" family and a Bachelor Mansion hopeful, Haddad worked at a different, iconic mansion − the White House.

Before Monday night's premiere episode, Haddad's work experience cropped up with "Bachelor" fans on fan sites.

In a Jan. 17 Bachelor Nation post on Reddit titled "One of Joey's girls is a Tr*mp aide," the post about Haddad generated a lot of engagement less than a week before "The Bachelor" premiered.

In the “Bachelor”-related Reddit post, many got worked up because of Haddad’s connection to Trump. Some comments defended Haddad, with feedback about her time at the White House as “just a job” rather than a reflection of political views. A moderator eventually turned comments off once the feedback became more about politics and less about the show: “Locking this post because it’s become a magnet for people who have nothing to do with this sub.”

What other 'Bachelor' contestants have ties to Trump?

• Madi Prewett, now known as Madi Prewett Troutt, was the runner-up in season 24 of "The Bachelor" with pilot Peter Weber. Troutt was at a Trump event in Dallas in fall 2023.

• Hannah Ann Sluss, who won season 24 of "The Bachelor" with Peter Weber, has voiced support on social for Trump.

• Garrett Yrigoren of "The Bachelorette" moved in with Becca Kufrin in January 2019, but the couple split up in September 2020. Yrigoren has posted photos on social media supporting Trump during the 2020 presidential election.

Who are the Floridians competing for Graziadei's final rose?

In addition to Haddad, these four women from Florida will compete for Graziadei's heart:

• Jenn Tran, a physician assistant student from Miami

• Kyra Brusch, a paralegal from Miami

• Samantha Washington, a pro football cheerleader from Miami

• Starr Skyler, a mental health counselor from Delray Beach

Who are all the contestants on season 28 of 'The Bachelor'?

These are the 32 contestants who will compete for the heart of Joey Graziadei on Season 28 of "The Bachelor" on ABC.

• Allison, 26, a realtor from Philadelphia

• Autumn, 26, an account executive from St. Louis

• Chandler, 24, a graphic designer from New York City

• Chrissa, 26, a marketing director from Abbotsford, British Columbia

• Daisy, 25, an account executive from Becker, Minnesota

• Edwina, 25, an entrepreneur from Atlanta

• Erika, 25, a leasing agent from North Bergen, New Jersey

• Evalin, 29, a nanny from San Antonio

• Jenn, 25, a physician assistant student from Miami

• Jessica "Jess," 24, an executive assistant from San Diego

• Katelyn, 25, a radiochemist from Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Kayla, 27, a guidance counselor from Hamilton, Ohio

• Kelsey A., 25, a junior project manager from New Orleans

• Kelsey T., 31, an actor from Los Angeles

• Kyra, 26, a paralegal from Miami

• Eleni "Lanie," 27, a realtor from Philadelphia

• Lauren, 28, a registered nurse from Philadelphia

• Maria "Lea," 23, an account manager from Waipahu, Hawaii

• Alexandra "Lexi," 30, a digital strategist from Atlanta

• Madina, 31, a mental health therapist from Charlotte

• Maria, 29, an executive assistant from Kleinburg, Ontario

• Marlena, 26, a finance writer from West Palm Beach

• Natalie "Nat," 26, a registered nurse and professor from Sudbury, Ontario

• Rachel, 26, an ICU nurse from Honolulu, Hawaii

• Samantha "Sam," 31, a CPA from Nashville

• Samantha, 25, a pro football cheerleader from Miami

• Sandra, 26, a cybersecurity consultant from Nashville

• Starr, 25, a mental health counselor from Delray Beach

• Sydney, 28, a vintage store owner from Newport, Rhode Island

• Talyah, 23, an esthetician from Huntington Beach, California

• Taylor, 23, a recruiter from Chicago

• Zoe, 24, an artist from Atlanta

Contributing: Gianna Montesano, TCPalm; Paige Feigenbaum, Special to the Palm Beach Post

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Marlena Haddad of 'Bachelor' with Joey Graziadei: Her bio & Instagram