Leon County General Election

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.

Research Websites:
WFSU Bandwagon - A bunch of 3-minute videos of each candidate "debating"
League of Women Voters - short summaries of each candidate
Chamber of Commerce guide
James Madison Institute guide
Florida Family Policy Council guide


United States Senator:
Connie Mack - REP - (My Pick) I am really not a big fan of Connie but he is way better than Bill

Bill Nelson - DEM - I have never liked Nelson, I'm sure he is a fine person, but he is very liberal and has been in politics way too long.

Representative in Congress/ 2nd Congressional Congressional District:
Steve Southerland - REP - (My Pick)When I first supported Steve in the last election I wasn't sure how he would actually vote. He has been great, voting conservative often against his own party.
Al Lawson - DEM - I'm not sure how Al got elected previously, he is not a good speaker and avoids debate.

State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit:
I'm not sure who to pick for this one. I think either one will do a good job.
Pete Williams- REP - (My pick) The recent Inspector General for the Florida Department of Education, he has an impressive resume. He as worked in a number of different prosecutor positions in Florida including, Statewide Prosecutor, and director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
Willie Meggs - DEM - Overall I think Meggs has done a good job. He has been State Attorney a long time, even retiring then getting re-elected for another term. My one issue is that after being elected he "retired" for 30 days so he could collect retirement and salary at the same time.

State Senator District 3:
This is a hard choice
John Shaw - REP -  27 year old IT professional, small business owner. Irish Step Dancer. One of his major platforms is legalizing industrial hemp. I happen to agree with this issue. More of a libertarian than republican: Pro-choice, pro-2nd amendment, pro-single payer healthcare, non-interventionist, pro-FairTax.
Bill Montford - DEM - (My reluctant pick) Current State Senator. A former teacher and long time school principal has served Leon County Superintendent of schools and as Leon County Commissioner in the 80's.

State Representative 9th House District:
Bradley Maxwell -  REP - (My pick) A really nice guy. I know him from the NE conservative club. A small business owner.
Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda - DEM - Our current state representative. She is a fairly moderate democrat but still too liberal for me.

Sheriff:
Based on my sources I think it is time for a change.
Larry Campbell - DEM - Our sheriff since 1996. I have thought that he has done a pretty good job. I would like to see a little more discipline among some of the officers.
Lisa Sprague - NPA- (My uncertain pick) CEO of private security firm. Former Deputy Chief of Police for Florida State University. Says she has 30 years of law enforcement experience but clear where.

Superintendent of Schools:
Jackie Pons - DEM - (My pick) Our current Superintendent of Schools. He seems to have done a good job and will probably do better than Allen.
Sabrina M. Allen - NPA - A teacher for 15 years in English and reading. Has a MS degree in special ed. I listened to an interview with her. She is a little crazy.

Retaining Judges:
I heard that justices in Florida have always been retained.
I'm voting NO for all the Judges. I think it is time for a change in particular the Supreme court is very liberal.
Supreme Court major decisions.
District Court Judges:
Simone Marstiller
Stephanie Ray
Ron Swanson
Brad Thomas

Circuit Judge, 2nd Circuit Group 2
Barbara Hobbs - Owns Private law firm for 16 years. Attorney for DOT for 9 years
Josefina M. Tamayo - (My Pick) The current circuit judge. She has a more impressive resume being the attorney for 3 different state agencies and a former assistant state attorney.

Board of County Commissioners At Large, Group 1
I don't really like either choice but one is better than the other.
Akin Akinyemi - My favorite quote from him. "I am a very humble man, but I have done more for this county in 3 years than anyone." He is a little crazy. He also likes to spend the county's money.
Mary Ann Lindley - (My reluctant Pick) Newspaper columnist. Has been a part of a lot of local organizations and awards.

City Commissioner Seat 1
Scott Maddox - Former mayor of Tallahassee. Former chair of the Democratic party.
Steve Stewart - (My Pick) I like Steve. I've listened to him speak a couple of times.

Leon Soil & Water Conservation District I Supervisor
Martha Lang - FSU doctoral student in "Philosophy"
Lorin Ann Pratt - (My Pick) Worked for Northwest Florida Water Management District, and the City's Utility Dept.
Ryan Terrell - Self proclaimed activist with no real experience

Leon Soil & Water Conservation District 3 Supervisor
Phyllis Basch Smith - no info
Tabitha Frazier - (My Pick) Current seat holder. MS in environmental engineering.
Evan Power - MS political science.

Leon Soil & Water Conservation District 5 Supervisor
Blas J. Gomez - (My Pick) Current seat holder. Works for the City Utilities Dept. MS Environmental Engineering.
William Helmich - BA Military History. Owns local business consulting firm.
William Howell - no info

The Amendments
In general if you don't understand and amendment it is better to vote NO.
Amendment 1 - (Yes, just for fun) This is basically a protest vote against Obama Care. But since Federal law trumps state law, it doesn't really do much. A “yes” vote means you want the Florida Constitution to include a provision that prohibits the government from requiring you to purchase health insurance

Amendment 2 - (Yes) OK I'm a sucker for Disabled vets and I dislike the whole idea of property tax (you never really own your property).

Amendment 3 - (Yes) This is a measure that already passed through the Legislature but must now be voted on by the public. " Amendment 3 really amounts to requiring a super majority vote of the legislature to pass a major tax increase."(Tax Watch) Supported by the James Madison Institute and the FL Chamber of Commerce.

Amendment 4 - (uncertain No) This is another measure that already passed through the Legislature but must now be voted on by the public. I like that it limits non-homestead property tax increases. While I agree with the premise of the amendment I think it is too complicated and involves too many parts. It could be broken down into 3 amendments. I also worry about how it would effect the budget when (not if) we start having massive inflation.


Amendment 5 - (uncertain Yes) Another measure that already passed through the Legislature but must now be voted on by the public. Allows the legislature to veto Supreme Court nominations and have more control over the rules governing judges. Supported by the James Madison Institute and the FL Chamber of Commerce. Florida Farm Bureau recommends NO.

Amendment 6 - (Yes) Another measure that already passed through the Legislature but must now be voted on by the public. Prevents state funding for abortions, with exceptions for life of mother, rape, etc. Also makes it easier to pass laws requiring parents to be informed before minors can have an abortion.

Amendment 8 - (Yes) Another measure that already passed through the Legislature but must now be voted on by the public. This is basically a repeal of the 1885 anti-Catholic "Blaine Amendment". I agree with the premise of the amendment. Supported by Florida Family Policy Council the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the James Madison Institute.

Amendment 9 - (Yes) Another measure that already passed through the Legislature but must now be voted on by the public. Uggh another property tax amendment for another special group. Did I mention I'm against the whole idea of property taxes? This allows (not requires) the Legistlature to reduce/eliminate property taxes for surviving spouses of Veterans or First responders. Expected to reduce state income by less than 1 million.

Amendment 10 (Yes) This gives counties the option for a  tax cut that can actually produce jobs for FL. It lets county governments give businesses both large and small the ability to exempt more of there office equipment like computers printers and chairs from further taxes. That businesses are taxed every year on things they already bought and paid taxes on is just wrong.

Amendment 11 (hesitant Yes) This gives the county governments the option (and does not mandate) to grant the 65+ crowd lower property taxes if they have been resident for 25 years. I'm for this because it gives counties more flexibility with their own tax structure.

Amendment 12 (Yes) This changes the pick for student representative to the University Board of Governors from an organization that does not include all FL universities to one that does. This insignificant amendment is here because the FL Constitution is full of stuff that shouldn't be in it and an amendment is required to do anything.