Leon County Florida, Primary Ballot August 2016

Leon County, Florida Primary Ballot Blog (Republican Party)

Don't forget to vote August 30, 2016

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

 

United States Senator

Carlos Beruff - A businessman with some experience on local government boards, appears to be a strong conservative. I would consider voting for him if Rubio were not running.

Ernie Rivera - Former pastor from Puerto Rico. Has done a lot of missions work and a little bit of Puerto Rican politics. Appears to be a constitutional conservative.

Marco Rubio -  (MY PICK) You should know him by now. He is not perfect, but I like him and think he will continue to do a great job as senator.

Dwight Mark Anthony Young - Born in Jamaica, former army, currently a Sheriff's Deputy, very little experience. Should try to be a little more active in the community first.

 

Representative in Congress District 2

These are all good candidates I just like Ken better.

Neal Dunn - Served in the army for 10 years.  Currently a Urologist in Panama City.  Locally active in community groups charity boards and the boy scouts.  Supported by Steve Southerland (a plus). Strong conservative, I would vote for him if not for Ken running.

Ken Sukhia - (MY PICK) A lawyer that served as a clerk for the Florida Supreme Court for many years and now owns his own law firm.  Politically conservative.  I know personal stories about Ken, that let me know he is a man of great character. This is one of the most important traits a politician can have.

Mary Thomas - Born to Indian parents after migrating to US.  A lawyer that currently serves as the General Counsel at the Department of Elder Affairs. A strong conservative in a tough race.
 

 State Committeewoman (for Leon County)

What is a State Committeewoman you ask?  It is an unpaid, vague position designated by each political party.   It is basically an elected party leader, who is to support the party (Republican" for me), and only has "power" within the party itself, and is in charge of overseeing Republican organizations and clubs throughout the state.
Dorothy Lee "Dotty" McPherson - retired, former Legislative Aide and Legislative Analyst, locally active in Navy League, American Legion, and the Republican Party. Not a bad pick.
Caitlin Murray - (MY PICK) Director of Government Affairs at Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, former finance consultant for CMM strategies, Chief Legislative Assistant, Campaign Manager for State Senate.  To be so young she has a lot of experience and appears to be very ambitious. 

 

County Judge Seat 2

Monique Richardson - Endorsed by NOW, 15 years as an attorney for the State Attorney's office and the Public Defender's office.  I just can't get over her being proud to be endorsed by NOW.

Layne Smith -  (MY PICK) He is the current judge. Worked in private practice for 24 years. Also worked as a Special Assistant Prosecutor and as a Special Assistant Public Defender.  Also has a lot of local community involvement, teaching and doing law stuff. I don't know much about his judgements so this is not a strong endorsement.
 

Supervisor of Elections

Mark S. Early - (MY PICK) 22 year employee of the elections office, currently Voting systems manager. Endorsed by Ion Sancho. Clearly has the most experience.

Tena M. Pate - Served for a long time on the Parol Commission, been on a lot of state public safety boards.  Served under last 4 governors.

Alan Williams - Former Democrat State Representative looking for another government job. Huge partisan progressive, I would never vote for him.
 

School Board District 4

For the Tallahassee Democrat Debate video click HERE

Patrick Cannon - political science grad, currently works on the Florida Rehabilitation Council, which is part of the Department of Education, and assists people with disabilities as they leave high school.

Tallie Gainer III - (My uncertain Pick) former teacher and assistant principal at Capital City Public Charter High School. Served as youth pastor at St. John Cathedral, current Christian radio host.

DeeDee Rasmussen - Current chair of the Leon County School Board, has been on board for 8 years. Has 15 years experience in higher education (whatever that means), and was a senior staff member in Florida's legislative and executive branch.  There have been several issues, like bathroom choice and no bid contracts that the school board could have done better.  She is also endorsed by the Teachers Union, which is a negative for me.

 

Tallahassee City Commission Seat 1

This is a Pick of the least bad.

For the WFSU Debate video click HERE

Gary Gayle - Group manager at LegalShield,  did not respond to multiple local debate requests, Not a serious candidate

Luther Lee - (My Reluctant Pick) degree in Information Systems, currently working in management for FL Department of Revenue, formerly worked as a sales manager. New to politics. Based on his answers to candidate surveys and in debate, he is not great but is the least bad.

Scott Maddox - Ugghh, Former mayor of Tallahassee. Former chair of the Democratic party. Big progressive, Not my favorite

Dr. Bruce W. Stouble Jr - Community organizer, big into social justice, well spoken, just graduated in 2015, affiliated with left leaning alarmist media group "People Over Politics", can anyone say Obama

 

Tallahassee City Commission Seat 2

For the WFSU Debate video click HERE

Dr. Steven Hougland - (My Pick) Retired police officer, and former professor. Supports a change of policy to make it illegal for vendors to donate to campaigns. The best thing about Steven, is that he is not Curtis.

Curtis Richardson - Current City Commissioner, a progressive, pushed for 27% city tax hike, voted to approve contracts for city vendors that had recently donated to his campaign and did not excuse himself from voting.

 

No. 4 Constitutional Amendment, Article VII, Sections 3 and 4, Article XII, Section 34

I'm voting (YES). If a property owner adds solar to their home or business, when the property value is assessed for taxes, this bill would make it so the addition of solar does not add to the property owners taxes.

 

A good article is HERE

This is very different from the Solar Amendment that will be on the November ballot, which you should vote NO.