Leon County, Florida Ballot Blog (General Election)

 

Leon County, Florida General Ballot Blog November 2024

Vote early if you can, or vote on November 5, 2024.

Early voting starts Oct 21st. 

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.

James Madison Institute Amendment Guide

ivoter guide - simple non-partisan summary based on your zip code (make sure you click the  20204 general election button on the right.

The Tallahassee Democrat Guide is OK but you can only view it a couple of times before they make you pay for it, and as their name implies they are biased towards Democrats.

US President - I'm not going to say much about the presidential race except to keep in mind that you are voting for someone to do a specific job. I would not hire a plumber based on his twitter posts or even ads, but on how well he does the job.

United States Senator - The Senate is very important, among its many duties it also approves Supreme Court and other federal judges.

Rick Scott (REP) - (my pick) Current member of the US Senate (since 2019). I think he has done a pretty good job in the senate. He has made enemies on both sides of the aisle but has voted fairly conservatively.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (DEM) - Served in Florida Congress for 2 years. Strong abortion supporter. Has a fairly conservative stance on international affairs. Endorsed by Planned Parenthood and several unions.

US Congress District 2 - I think Neal has done a pretty good job

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.  

Yen Bailey (DEM) -  Daughter of South Vietnamese immigrants. Senior Attorney for the Guardian ad Litem Program and spent over 13 years as an ethics attorney at the Florida Bar. High tax, pro-abortion, anti-gun rights. Typical Democrat. 

State Senator District 3 - 

Corey Simon (REP) - (my pick) Current Senator for District 3. Former CEO of Volunteer Florida. A moderate Republican, I would love for him to be more conservative but this is what we have. 

Daryl Parks (DEM) - A personal injury and civil rights attorney. Hard leftist.

State Representative - District 9

Spencer Brass (REP) - (my pick) Has a great first name. Young local Real Estate Agent and code enforcer, lifelong resident of Tallahassee. I'm not sure why there was not a Republican Primary for this position. I'm making a partisan vote here since Brass doesn't have a record in public office to go by.

Allison Tant (DEM) - Current state Representative for Florida House 9th District. Former lobbyist and Democrat Party Florida Chair. 

Superintendent of Schools - I don't really like either of them. 

A debate between the 2 can be watched HERE.

Rocky Hanna (DEM) - Former teacher and principle of Leon High. Opposes school choice and state vouchers. 

Joe Burgess (NPA) - (my pick) Teacher coach and current principle of Chiles High School since 2012.  He seems to have done a good job at Chiles. I think it is time for a change in leadership

Justice of the Supreme Court (Retain ?)

(Yes) Retain Justice Renatha Francis - 

(Yes) Retain Justice Meredith Sasso - 

District Court of Appeal (Retain ?)

(Yes) Retain Judge Stephanie Ray - 

(Yes) Retain Judge Bradford L. Thomas

(Yes) Retain Judge M. Kemmerly Thomas

County Judge, Group 4 - You can view the debate HERE.  This was a difficult pick between Churchill and Riggans.

Robert Churchill - (my close pick) Graduated FSU, private practice since 2006. Philosophy of judicial restraint. After listening to additional interviews I am giving the edge to Mr. Churchill.

LaShawn D. Riggans -  Graduated Florida Coastal School. Deputy County Attorney for Leon County for 6 years. Assistant County Attorney for 6 years. Considers herself a judicial moderate.

Board of County Commissioners at Large, Group 1

The debate can be watched HERE or another debate HERE.

Carolyn D. Cummings -  Current County Commissioner since 2020. An attorney with over 35 years of experience in government and general practice law. Main concerns are crime and affordable housing. 

David T. Hawkins -  (my pick) - Works at Florida Department of Revenue Warehouse. Fiscal conservative, emphasis on limiting county spending. Has a horrible website and is not running a very organized campaign, but I like his stand on issues. 

Board of County Commissioners District 4

The debate can be watched HERE or another debate HERE.

Isaac Montilla - (my pick) Chiropractor and resident of Tallahassee for 13 years. Owner of Verity Health, obviously pro small business. Wants to bring his organization and managing skills used in business to use as county commissioner. I am biased towards him since I know him personally. 

Brian Welch -  Current District 4 County Commissioner. Less illiberal than some of the other commissioners but mostly just wants to stay under the radar and not challenge anyone. Chiles High teacher, Main issues, getting additional parks for the NE Tallahassee and limiting development. I agree with many of his positions, I just agree more with Montilla.

City Commissioner, Seat 2

They are both left leaning but Dot leans hard to the left. The debate can be watched HERE

Dot Inman-Johnson - Former City Commissioner and 2 term Mayor in Tallahassee. Served on National Superfund Advisory committee. Serves on a ton of boards and environmental committees. Lots of experience. Very left of center. Paid her husband with Campaign funds, while technically legal, it is not normally done. Recently attended Forum sponsored by Anti-Police Group.  

Curtis Richardson - (my reluctant pick) Current City Commissioner (since 2014), a moderate Democrat, 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. He does support the local law enforcement. He is the least bad. 

Amendments

In general if you don't understand an amendment it is better to vote NO. Our Florida constitution is muddied up with way too many things that should have been left to legislation by the house and senate, and not put forever in the constitution. James Madison Institute Amendment Guide

No. 1 - Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards

Makes school board elections partisan (candidates have to declare a party [Republican, Democrat, or other]) starting in 2026. Right now candidates have to run as NPA. Unfortunately politics plays a role in school boards more and more, and knowing someone's party affiliation helps understand them more

This is an issue that cannot be addressed by the Legislature.

(Yes)

No. 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt
Passing this would make it harder for future legislatures to put severe limits on hunting and fishing. It would not infringe on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s authority. Which seems a little counter intuitive to me. Because this generally limits governmental power, I support it.
This is an issue that cannot be addressed by the Legislature.
(Yes)

No. 3 - Adult Personal Use of Marijuana

This would legalize Marijuana use for those 21 and older. The Libertarian side of me wants to be for this but the cons outweigh the pros. Multiple studies show and increase in traffic accidents after legalization in other states. There would be an increase in tax revenue but likely an overall decrease in productivity. Studies on crime increases/decreasing are contradictory. It would lead to more kids using and more accidental uses by kids. Personally I just hate the smell. Also the difference between Marijuana and Alcohol are I can have a drink with Zero impacts mentally. I'm guessing that is not true about smoking one joint.

HERE is a seemingly "middle of the road" study by the CATO institute looking at states post legalization. 

This does not need to be in the state Constitution and could be addressed by the legislature.

(No)

No. 4 -  Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion

The wording of this amendment is very misleading. In addition to negating Florida's post 6 week ban on abortion, it gives decision power to a "healthcare provider" which is a very broad term. Also a "patients health" is not defined and could be interpreted very broadly. Also "fetal viability" is not defined... 2 year olds cannot survive on their own unless there is someone to bring them food does that mean they are not viable? Practically this would allow abortion up to birth with almost no restrictions.

(No)

No. 5 - Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions

This would make it so that as inflation increases so does the homestead exemption. Stabilizing tax brakes for long term home owners. As it is currently local governments get more taxes as inflation increases. This would require them to be more transparent about raising taxes, requiring debates and discussion. 

This is an issue that cannot be addressed by the Legislature.

(Yes)

No. 6 - Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement

This would repeal the provision already in the Florida Constitution that provides Campaign Financing $ for candidates that meet certain requirements. In 2022 this funding cost FL taxpayers $13 million. I understand that the original provision was trying to make elections more fair by giving $ to those that did not already have a lot of money to run, but I don't think the state should be funding anyone's campaign. Just my opinion.

This is an issue that cannot be addressed by the Legislature.

(Yes)

City Charter Amendments

These are not really legislative and need to be addressed in the Charter amendments.

No. 1 - Charter Amendment Addressing the Salaries of the City Commissioners

Currently City Commissioners make about $50,000.00. Keep in mind this position is designed to be a part time job. Commissioners are supposed to have another job. This would make their pay equal to that of the County Commission ~$100,000. Doubling their salary. I don't want to give the City Commissioners any more $, they should not try to make this a full time job.

(No)

No. 2 - Charter Amendment Expanding Jurisdiction of the Independent Ethics Board

I'm not sure how much real power the Independent Ethics Board has, especially since it seems to be made up of friends of the City Commissioners. But I do think giving them more jurisdiction could be helpful since corruption has been a serious issue with the City  Commission in the past. 

(Yes)

No. 3 - Charter Amendment to Resolve Two-Candidate Elections at the General Election

Right now some elections are determined in the primary which has a much lower turnout. This would make it so that if there is only 2 candidates running for City Commission it would be decided in the general instead of the primary. 

(Yes)

No. 4 -  Charter Amendment to Provide for Periodic Review of the Charter

This would create a committee to review the charter every 10 years, starting in June 2033. I think it is probably a good idea.

(Yes)

No. 5 - Charter Amendment to Define the Role of the Inspector General

The IG is the watchdog for the city commission. Right now it is fairly easy for the commission to fire the IG, making it hard for them to criticize their boss. This amendment makes it harder for the IG to be fired.

(Yes)