While I have only been a full-time resident of Florida for over two years, I have wintered down here for several. 

I know that I am a Democrat in a heavily Republican county, but hope that even as a citizen, I can be a change-agent for social and political progress, i.e. gaining acceptance and tolerance for each other. I have watched with increasing concern as the Florida governing bodies have implemented laws to consolidate power at the state level, and limit/eliminate choice and self-determination from individuals and local communities.

What I am is someone that has watched our country declining—politically, socially, and economically--and anxiously trying to do my part to stop the growing madness. What I am is someone that has lived a good and productive life and is now unafraid to step out in outrage for those who cannot do so for themselves.  I am here to combat small-mindedness and hate-filled behavior from people erroneously believing that they are the chosen people because of their skin color or lack of uniqueness.  What I am is sick and tired of hearing so-called “Christians” with a platform condemning others because they weren’t born into the same privilege as they, or because their struggles are greater, or because they haven’t been afforded the same opportunities, or because they are simply different.  What I am is sick and tired of others’ complete lack of empathy for their fellows and their hypocritical condemnation of unique individuals that have the courage to be who they are and who God intended them to be.

It is impossible to separate Florida politics from the national politics; they have been working in tandem.  Florida, DeSantis, and its Republican legislature have either lead the fight in government hate and discrimination, or they have closely followed federal or other state policies to eliminate choice and freedoms. Florida led with banning books and quickly eliminated abortion rights and creating policies targeting immigrants. 

The middle-class prosperity of yesterday has been sold off to the ultra-rich by our politicians, and their corporations are now becoming even more unregulated for consumer and environmental protections. Our federal medical oversight and research have been dismantled and defunded, putting communities at risk, now and for the future.  What I am is someone that lives in a senior community and watches as neighbors struggle and fret over the ever-increasing cost of their rent, groceries, and prescription drugs, yet find the humanity to provide hundreds of pounds of food each month to the local food bank.  What I am is someone that sees her neighbors struggling to maintain their dignity when they are unsure if they will be able to pay their electric bill each month. 

Florida politicians, like many within the country, are attempting to strip citizens and localities of individual choice.  While the Republicans have historically promoted reducing the size and authority of the government and its budget, Florida Republicans are working to strip localities of their self-governance and authority in how they use their funds. Florida politicians have enacted a redistricting law that is in direct violation of the state constitution in order to limit voters’ rights to be fairly represented, they have enacted a law that will adversely affect the ability for certain voters to register to vote. Lastly, the Republican governor and his staff have illegally conspired with the federal government to bypass fair and competitive procurement laws in order to build a concentration camp on protected Florida lands that were illegally seized, and deny detainees their rights of due process.  Florida emergency response personnel have been used to maintain the illegal facility instead of on-going services in preparation of hurricane season.

Over the past ten years, Florida politicians have come out in support of bigotry, elimination of personal choice, and the resurgence of governing by an elite social class. The funding and promotion of charter schools is designed to provide educational options to the elite groups, and strip funding for public schools that educate the largely less-privileged masses. This is a direct attempt to financially cripple public schools and limit the quality and quantity of educational opportunities to less-privileged and targeted minorities. These types of actions are designed to limit opportunities of the non-elite and continue the oppression of certain groups of people. 

Florida politicians have spent time and energy, thus taxpayer dollars to change the language of laws to remove the words “gender” and “ethnicity,” and replace them with “sex” and “race.”  The Republican majority in Florida wants to restore the explicit language that allows them to put people in marginalized boxes that will facilitate discrimination. 

What I am is someone that has viewed a Florida governor and legislature working to turn neighbors against each other, but has seen very kind and accepting people that are as tired as I of the toxic tone within our state and country.

What I am is a candidate that is asking for your support to make a stand and tell the politicians that we need them to work for OUR good, not their political agenda.  We need answers and actions to make all our lives better, not just those of their political cronies.