Leon County, Florida General Ballot Blog November 2022
Don't forget to vote November 8, 2022
This is my take and observations on the candidates on my ballot. I include links where I can but really this is an exercise to help ME decide who to vote for. Hope it helps those others out there researching.
You wouldn't choose your brain surgeon based on personality, choose your government leader based on how they vote.
A few additional resources I like.
ivoter guide - simple non-partisan summary based on your zip code (make sure you click the 2020 general election button on the right.
The Democrat Guide is OK but you can only view it a couple of times before they make you pay for it.
United States Senator -
Marco Rubio (REP) -(my pick) -He consistently votes as a conservative. I have disagreed with him on only a few decisions.
Val Demmings (DEM) - Current mayor of Orange County. Served in Florida's Congress. Former Orlando chief of Police. Good on being pro-police. Votes as most democrats, pro big government, and more government control.
Representative in US Congress, District 2
Neal Dunn (REP) (my pick) - While he steers away from controversial issues and often does not want to take a strong stand, he votes fairly conservative.
Al Lawson (DEM) - While not as progressive as some, he consistently votes with the democratic party.
Commissioner of Agriculture -
Wilton Simpson (REP) - (my pick) Current member of the Florida State Senate (since 2016); Elected Senate president in 2019; Lifelong farmer currently has a egg production farm. Supported by Ron DeSantis.
Naomi Esther Blemur (DEM) - A first generation Haitian-American Minister. A career in management, working for several fortune 500 companies in the retail industry and commercial banking. Established a non-profit focused on women's issues and at-risk girls. No real connections to farmers or the agriculture industry. This is just a political stepping stone for her.
Justice of the Supreme Court (Retain ?)
(Yes) Retain Justice Charles T. Canady - appointed by Jeb Bush in 2002. Formerly served 3 terms in Florida House and 4 terms in U.S. house of representatives.
(Yes) Retain Justice John D. Couriel - appointed by Ron Desantis in 2020. Assistant US attorney in south Florida for several years. Private attorney for several years.
(Yes) Retain Justice Jamie Grosshans - appointed by Ron Desantis in 2020. Assistant state attorney for several years. Court of appeals for a few years.
(No) Retain Justice Jorge Labarga - appointed by Charlie Christ in 2009. Circuit court judge before that and public defender for several years. Based on recommendation by the Florida Family Council.
(Yes) Retain Justice Ricky Polston - appointed by Charlie Christ in 2008. Served as judge on District Court of Appeals and adjunct professor at FSU.
District Court of Appeal (Retain ?)
(Yes) Retain Judge Ross L. Bilbrey - appointed by Rick Scott in 2014. County and circuit judge since 2006
(Yes) Retain Judge Susan Kelsey - appointed by Rick Scott in 2015. Prior to that worked in private law practices.
(Yes) Retain Judge Bobby Long - appointed by Ron Desantis in 2020. Served as a trial court judge and Circuit Court Judge. Was general council for Leon County Sherriff's office.
(Yes) Retain Judge Lori S. Rowe - appointed by Charlie Christ in 2009. Deputy Attorney General for a few years. Private attorney for a few years.
(Yes) Retain Judge Bo Winokur - appointed by Rick Scott in 2015. Served as Army Judge advocate for a few years. Previously served as assistant attorney general for a few years.
Board of County Commissioners At Large, Group 2 - There is no good pick here, Nick is the least bad.
Josh Johnson - Not much info on him. Teaches Government and Economics at Godby High. Self proclaimed small business owner. Against the BluePrint $ going to FSU football Stadium. Anti building/growth. Supported by the far progressive wing of the city.
Nick Maddox - (least bad) Our current commissioner since 2010. Considers himself "a conservative Democrat", is OK with raising taxes, focus on affordable housing in the county. Former FSU and NFL football player, voted for $800,000 sidewalk project that mostly benefits the Double Tree.
Board of County Commissioners, District 2
Hannah Crow - (my pick)
Board of County Commissioners, District 5 - both are leftists
School Board Member, District 3
Write-in - (my pick) Dr. Ed Moore, or just put anyone they will be better.
School Board Member, District 4 - both seem like they could do a good job but I liked Laurie in the interviews better.
Laurie Lawson Cox - (my close pick) Teacher for 33 years. Well spoken, seems to have a lot of connections in the schools. Supported by Hodges.
Alex Stemlie - Assistant principal at Ran for school board 2 years ago. Previous dean of students at Deer Lake Middle School. Not a conservative but seems reasonable and a good vision for the school board.
Mayor
John Dailey - (my pick) A democrat but I believe an honest one. I don't always agree with his stances but I think he genuinely cares about our town and is not corrupt. Supported giving Blueprint Funds to update FSU and FAMU stadiums.
Kristin Dozier - Current county commissioner for District 5. Vice president of Mad Dog Construction. Leed Accredited. Opposed giving Blueprint Funds to update FSU and FAMU stadiums. Not a lot different between her and John Dailey, but she is supported by some very far progressive groups including Dream Defenders and Florida Rising.
No. 1 Constitutional Amendment: Limitation on the Assessment of Real Property Used for Residential Purposes
(YES) This protects home owners from increased taxes when they make improvements that help protect their property from flooding.
No. 2 Constitutional Amendment: Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).
(No) I go back and forth on this one. The CRC is a double edged sword. The CRC meets every 20 years to make amendments. One of a few ways to do so. While the last time they met they introduced several amendments that were "silly and unnecessary" but a few were also important and hard to get on the ballot any other way. Overall the Florida Constitution is amended too often, and this is one of the the few ways to undo some of those bad amendments.
No. 3 Constitutional Amendment: Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Specified Critical Services Workforce
(YES) Provides additional tax break to teachers, military and first responders on property tax. I don't like property taxes to begin with. But this does put a higher burden on the rest of us, unless they makeup the taxes in sales taxes (which I prefer).
