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Hillsborough County, General Election, November 3, 2020

President and Vice President

Joseph R. Biden
Kamala D. Harris

Representative in Congress District 14

Kathy Castor

State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit

Andrew Warren

State Senator District 20

Kathy Lewis

Sheriff

Gary Pruitt

Property Appraiser

Bob “Coach” Henriquez

Tax Collector

Nancy C. Millan

Board of County Commissioners District 6

Patricia “Pat” Kemp

Justice of the Supreme Court

Justice Carlos G. Muñiz
No

District Court of Appeal

Judge Drew Atkinson
No

Judge Morris Silberman
Yes

Judge Danil H. Sleet
No

Judge Andrea Teves Smith
No

County Court Judge Group 7

Bill Yanger

School Board Member District 3

Jessica Vaughn

School Board Member District 7

Lynn Gray

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2

Michael Harvey

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 4

Sonja P. Brookins

Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections

No, this is stupid and makes no difference.

Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage

Yes. $15 an hour is less than a baby sitter makes normally. It’s inconceivable that this isn’t the case already.

Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor and Cabinet

Yes. I’m mainly going to say yes because both parties hate the idea. I’m not keen on the sponsor, and this MIGHT hurt some minorities and partisans. But anything that shakes up this crappy system seems like positive change.

Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments

No. This is ridiculous. Basically an attempt to remove direct democracy because it’s hard? The Florida Senate already finds new ways to get around amendments all the time, let’s not give them added fire power.

Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Assessments

Yes. It adds a year, and might protect some people from property taxes rising too quickly… not 100% how I feel on this.

Amendment 6: Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities

Yes. Giving disabled military spouse the same tax rates after their spouse dies? They had to pay more taxes AFTER they lost their partner? Sounds pretty freaking terrible.

Categories
Politics

2020 Democratic Party Ballot August 18 – My picks

Clerk of Circuit Cory and Comptroller

  • Kevin Beckner – although he ran against Frank, which annoyed me and a lot of people (even though it was his right) he is probably the best positioned candidate to win in the general. 
  • Cindy Stuart – she is a great candidate, but maybe a little late to the game and I just think that Beckner has more of the organization to win. 


Tax Collector

  • Nancy C Millan – already works in the department and knows the job. This is not a crazy partisan position and while she is a Democrat, her retiring boss, Doug Belden is a republican and he is endorsing her.
  • April Griffin – a great activist in the Democratic Party and a good person. 

Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 9

  • John Schifino – Both seem to be good candidates, but I’m going with John because he has a fair amount more community service experience (although a lot looks to be related to his kid’s schools most likely), and he is a thoughtful, although somewhat verbose writer.
  • Kelly Ayers – She got the ‘rona, but I’m not holding that against her.  

Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 19

  • Michael Scionti – He is already a judge, seems to have made reasonable decisions (I only looked at 10 or so) and is a strong writer, good communicator, and former House of Representatives Member (as a Democrat in Florida no less!) – guys knows the system and seems to try and improve it.
  • Ashley Ivanov – A website full of vague platitudes, non-specifics about pro-bono work, and the occasional mention of her church all point to someone I’m not voting for.


Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 30

  • Helene Daniel – Helene is just as qualified as Danny, and doesn’t give me the creepy cop vibe.
  • Danny Alvarez – Danny seems like an ideal guy. A great background, and full of community spirit. Unfortunately he is super tied in with local sheriff and police systems, and I don’t think he’ll be fair when deciding about anything involving a cop.

I’m not writing about each candidate if there are more than two. I’ll just mention the one I like.


Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 31

  • Greg Green – These are all pretty good candidates to be honest. I think it’s a toss up between Greg and Scott. I like Greg’s name, and his community service and various practice areas make him seem like the most qualified.
  • Scott Bonavita
  • Gary Dolgin

Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 39

  • Steven Scott Stephens – While Wendy seems great, Judge Stephens is a smart, smart dude, and the most overly educated person I’ve ever read about. He has 7 degrees, including an M.S., Johns Hopkins, a computer science background, and a PhD in Business. Seriously, read about this dude https://www.fljud13.org/JudicialDirectory/ScottStephens/Profile.aspx
  • Wendy Joy DePaul

County Court Judge Group 7

  • Bill Yanger – Going to be honest here, Bill is the choice of two or three other sites I checked, and he seems fine. I basically got tired of reading about these people at this point. Nancy L. Jacobs – Seems like the next best choice to Bill. She also loves animals and does pro-bono work for animal welfare.
  • Monique Scott – Young, ex-copRickey “Rick” Silverman – Traffic lawyer

School Board Member District 3

  • Jennifer Hill – I’m going with Jennifer, but Alexandra is a close second. They’re both good writers and communicators, but Jennifer has more experience in the school system, a Masters in Education, and a business background to boot.Alexandra Gilmore – 2
  • Leo HaggertyMitch ThrowerJessica VaughnRick Warrener


School Board Member District 7

  • Lynn Gray – I say keep her. She is not churchy, or crazy, and seems to have done a fine job. Let her keep it for now.Sally A HarrisJeffery Alex James Johnson – (Do you have enough white guy names Jeff?)
  • Angela Schroden
Categories
Politics

How to vote if you are a progressive in Hillsborough County – 2016 General Election

Big Ticket

President and Vice President
Do I have to even say?

United States Senator
Patrick Murphy

Representative in Congress District 14
Kathy Castor

State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
Andrew Warren

State Representative District 63
Lisa J. Montelione

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Pat Frank

Property Appraiser
Bob Henriquez

Board of County Commissioners, District 6
Patricia “Pat” Kemp

 

Justices

Charles T. Canady
Out

Jorge Labarga
In (but begrudgingly)

Ricky L. Poiston
Out (dear God out!)

 

District Court of Appeal

John Badalamenti
Out

Marva L. Crenshaw
In

Patricia J. Kelly
In

Nelly N. Khouzam
In

Matt Lucas
Out (Oh Hell No)

Robert Morris
Out

Stevan Travis Northcutt
Yes

Samuel Salario Jr
No

Craig C. Villanti
Yes

Douglas Alan Wallace
Yes

 

The Rest

Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 24
Melissa Polo

School Board Member District 7
Cathy James

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2
David R. Phillips Jr

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 4
Nicholas Tobasco Bissett

Tampa City Council District 7
Luis Viera

 

Amendments

No.1 Constitutional Amendment Article X, Section 29 (Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice)
This is a bullshit title. This Amendment is a Power Company Lobbyist’s wet dream. NO!
No

No. 2
Constitutional Amendment Article X, Section 29 (Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions)
Yeah, why not 🙂 I’m not a smoker, but I want as many steps to get some decent tax revenues out of what is currently a billion dollar illegal trade in Florida.
Yes

No. 3
Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Section 6 Article XII (Tax Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled First Responders)
This is a tricky one because it adds junk to the constitutional tax rules, which are messed up enough already. But it’s the right thing to do, even if done wrong.
Yes

No. 5
Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Section 6 Article XII (Homestead Tax Expedition for Certain Senior Low-Income, Long-Term Residents; Determination of Just Value)
Yes

Referendum For Voters in City of Tampa
This is your typical “We don’t want to make a decision, so we’ll make the voters decide” – It probably won’t do anything, but it should probably be a yes.
Yes

Categories
Politics

How to vote if you are a progressive in Hillsborough County

President and Vice President
Barack Obama and Joe Biden DEM (No shit)

United States Senator
Bill Nelson DEM (it pains me to do so)

State Senator District 24
Elizabeth Belcher DEM

State Representative District 63
Mark Danish DEM (Tasty!)

Sheriff
David Gee REP (Unless you write in for Rob)

Property Appraiser
Bob Henriquez DEM (Unless you have a brain tumor and want Storms)

Supervisor of Elections
Craig Latimer DEM (here’s hope against hope)

Board of County Commissioners District 6
Kevin Beckner DEM (Good guy)

Justice of the Supreme Court
Justice R. Fred Lewis – Yes (he is not an idiot or insane)

Justice of the Supreme Court
Justice Peggy A Quince – Yes (she’s a good judge)

District Court of Appeal
Judge Anthony K Black – Yes

District Court of Appeal
Judge Darryl C. Casanueva – Yes (would be better if he was Casanova)

District Court of Appeal
Judge Charles A Davis, Jr. – Yes/Si

District Court of Appeal
Judge Judge Edward C. LaRose Yes (really yes)

Shool Board Member District 7
Carol W. Kurdwell (Kemple is a crazy)

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2
Shane Holman (next time, Adam Husarek)

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 4
Roy Gene Davis (best of two bad choices)

Amendments:
Most of this shit is either fucking crazy or does not need to be in the state constitution.

1 – No
2 – No
3 – No
4 – No (read it if you have a few spare hours)
5 – No
7 – There is no 7, and that’s just the way we like it.
6 – HELL NO
8 – HELL NO
9 – No (Meh)
10 – No (Meh)
11 – No (Meh as well)
12 – No

Amend Section 9.11 Of County Charter to Change The Term Physical Handicap To Disabillity
Yes

Amends Charter to Require Financial Impact Statements For All County Charter Amendments And Countywide Referenda
Yes