Florida's State Primary is Tuesday, August 28, 2018, and there is a long list of candidates running for Governor. In total there are six Republicans and five Democrats on the ballot. I created eight questions that should be topics of concern for the voters in Florida. In addition, I selected four Republicans and four Democrats with a short detail of their background to understand some of the likely answers to my questions. First, here's a breakdown of the candidates from both parties.
For the Republican candidates:
Ron DeSantis is a native Floridian with blue-collar roots, worked his way through Yale University, where he graduated with honors and was the captain of the varsity baseball team. He also graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, he earned a commission in the US Navy as a JAG officer. During active duty, he supported operations at the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and deployed to Iraq as an adviser to a US Navy SEAL commander in support of the SEAL mission in Fallujah, Ramadi and the rest of Al Anbar province.
Bruce Nathan is a physical therapist. He joined the military in response to 9-11 and has dedicated the last 30 years rehabilitating children and elderly medical patients.
Adam Putman is a fifth-generation Floridian from a Polk County family of ranchers and citrus growers. He was elected to the Florida House at age 22. He was elected to Congress at 26 and quickly climbed the leadership ladder to become the fourth most powerful House Republican. He left to run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2010, a job he's held since.
Bob White grew up in Polk County, in the heart of the Florida citrus industry. As a teenager, he earned money picking fruit, pruning trees, and moving irrigation pipe before and after school. He worked "firing" the groves when the temperatures dropped below freezing. As a fourth generation Floridian, some of his fondest childhood memories are of family reunions on the shores of Silver Lake, near Palatka, or at his grandparent's home in Okeechobee.
For the Democratic candidates:
Andrew Gillum is the youngest candidate for governor but has political experience. Now the mayor of Tallahassee, he was first elected to his city's commission at age 23. Gillum has been seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In 2014, The Washington Post named him to its list of "40 notable state politicians under 40."He was a surrogate for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Gwen Graham is the daughter of Bob Graham, the former Florida governor, and U.S. senator. She has been signaling her interest in running for governor since she announced in April 2016 that she wouldn't seek a second term in Congress after changes to congressional district boundaries made re-election in a North Florida district virtually impossible.
Chris King is head of Elevation Financial Group, which invests in affordable and senior housing. His father, David King, was the lead attorney for the League of Women Voters in the Fair Districts case, which led to the redrawing of congressional districts statewide.
Phillip Levine was elected mayor of Miami Beach in November 2013 and re-elected in 2015. In January 2017, he said he wouldn't seek a third term as mayor.
As we look over their websites, listen and watch their advertising campaigns, it is important to have a list of questions that best represent the state of Florida and how many answers each of the candidates address in their campaign platforms.
1. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far?
Pay close attention to the angle each individual takes to answering this question.
2. At the end of your term as Governor, what should be your greatest accomplishment?
The first and second question can only be answered by the candidate in a face to face meeting. With a sincere and honest answer to his or her issues on the table and the ability to make them a reality.
3. What's the biggest challenge Florida is facing?
This third question is the biggest challenge. Most of the candidates addressed this topic on their websites is the environment for the Democrats. However, the Republican candidates' main issue is the overreaching government with one exception, White's issue is squarely on the environment and the importance of growth and the damage it is doing to our ecosystem.
4. Gun control or gun rights?
This is an ongoing and prevalent debate between both parties.
5. The 2nd amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, but this statement does not guarantee the right to ammunition. Would you consider limiting the purchase of ammunition for all firearms?
It is no surprise that the answer to the fourth question is Republicans for gun rights and Democrats for gun control. All five of the Democratic candidates are for gun safety as well as banning assault rifles and large capacity magazines.
6. The money spent on private charter schools has created a void in the public schools as teachers are leaving for those positions created in private schools. As a result, we are rising to the highest level of our own incompetence. What are your plans to give public school students a better education?
The sixth question concerning private versus public schools is not addressed by any of the candidates. White is the only Republican candidate that discussed improving our public schools. Gillum, the Democratic Mayor of Tallahassee, has an education reform program that has been implemented in Tallahassee.
7. Would you move the state capital from Tallahassee to a central location in Florida?
The seventh question is not addressed either. It is an important question to ask your candidate if you have an opportunity. Many people believe the location of the state capital is not represented accurately and the expense for a political representative to travel to and from Tallahassee is a large financial burden on many communities in the state. A centrally located capital should be considered.
8. I am a firm believer in teaching our young adults the value of their education. One incentive would be requiring all high school graduates to do two to four years of service, via the peace corps, military, or local public service. For their service, the state of Florida will pay for their education. Would you back this plan?
The final question is one that I feel is important for the future of Florida as well as the United States. Graham stated that it is less about the education industry and more focus needs to be on learning. Going back to the "Bright Futures" scholarships for affordable colleges in Florida. However, King wants to give free tuition to Florida students attending the Florida College System, this includes trade schools and community colleges. None of the Republican candidates addressed how to change the current education system.
After I made this list of questions I sent emails to each of the candidates and asked for an interview. I received one reply from White's press secretary, however, she never confirmed a time and place for me to meet with her candidate. Mr. White has some liberal ideals for a Republican and I would like to know more about his platform.
