Deep Something

2022 Election – Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners District 1

October 29, 2022October 29, 2022 B. John 1094 Views 0 Comments Harry Cohen, 2022 Election, Scott Levinson, florida, Hillsborough County

This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series 2022 Election

I had one of the most interesting candidate conversations I think I have ever had around this race. I had a long conversation with Scott D. Levinson, the Republican running for the seat. This is where it got interesting. He seems to be very socially progressive, to the point I eventually said, “Scott, you need not be telling people this. You may get kicked out of the Republican party. But the thing is, Harry gave me an appointment when he was a member of the City Council and heard me out on some contractor behavior issues we were having in the neighborhood.

Politics Election Courts Featured

2022 Election – County Court Judge District 14

October 28, 2022October 28, 2022 B. John 1080 Views 0 Comments Melissa Cordon Black, County Court, Hillsborough, florida

This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series 2022 Election

During the Primary Election, no one got a majority for this seat, so this contest is between Melissa Black and Eilam “Mike” Isaak. I spoke with Mrs. Black/Cordon during the primary. Mr. Isaak didn’t return the call then. He subsequently did, but I’m still recommending Melissa Black.

Featured Politics Election Legislature

2022 Election – State Senator District 14

October 28, 2022 B. John 1001 Views 0 Comments Democrats, Janet Cruz, 2022 Election

This entry is part 3 of 6 in the series 2022 Election

Republican Jay Collins is running against incumbent Democrat Janet Cruz in this contest. This is a pretty easy one, but I gave Mr. Collins a chance. Vote for Janet Cruz for State Senate.

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2022 Election House Seat District 65

October 21, 2022 B. John 1028 Views 0 Comments State House, 2022 Election, Legislature

This entry is part 2 of 6 in the series 2022 Election

As you know, I have a personal policy of speaking with candidates for local office before considering them for my vote. I got set back a week from being out of town at a conference, but I am now back on the trail and reaching out. First up is the race for State Representative, District 65.

Election Featured Politics

Florida’s Constitutional Ballot Initiatives

October 9, 2022October 9, 2022 B. John 961 Views 0 Comments Amendments, florida, Constitution

This entry is part 1 of 6 in the series 2022 Election

I keep saying how there are too many things in the Florida Constitution that should be handled by the legislature, but since they won’t, and Florida voters keep electing people based on whom they hate rather than who will work for them, this is how voters get what they want. So here we go. I’m voting “No” to all three.

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2020 Election – Florida Constitutional Amendments

October 23, 2020 B. John 743 Views 0 Comments florida, Constitution, Citizens, Minimum Wage, Amendment, Taxes, voting

This entry is part 9 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

So there are six amendments for the Florida Constitution on this year’s ballot. I’m going to run through those pretty quickly. A couple of them are valid…a few are a waste of time or a political stunt.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District 6

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2020 Election – Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners District 6

October 18, 2020 B. John 1068 Views 0 Comments County Commission, Pat Kemp, Sandy Murman, Hillsborough County

This entry is part 8 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

This has Republican Sandy Murman seeking to unseat Democratic incumbent Pat Kemp. This is a tough one for me. Sandy Murman panders, moves from office to office as she’s termed out, and serves only developers. On the other hand, Kemp, who I contributed to, has refused to return calls and messages, so I won’t be voting for either candidate.

@020 Candidates for Hillsborough County School Board District 7

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2020 Election – Hillsborough School Board District 7

October 18, 2020 B. John 1064 Views 0 Comments Lynn Gray, Sally Harris, Hillsborough County, School Board

This entry is part 7 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

This is a county-wide seat and the only school board race I vote in this round. Lynn Gray, the incumbent, is being opposed by Sally Harris who previously served on the board and was voted out. Harris served in 2017 and 2018 as Chair of the Board of Education, but her entire tenure was pretty lack-lustier. Given the challenges that will be faced by the district in 2021 and into next year, that’s just not going to cut it. I talked to Lynn Gray this time and in her previous election. She has over 40 years of classroom and school administrative experience and is involved in the schools as more than just a member of the board. She shares my concerns about the loss of funding to for-profit charter companies. So, for all those reasons, I’m going with Lynn Gray for Hillsborough School Board District 7.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District

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2020 Election – Hillsborough County Commission District 1

October 18, 2020 B. John 502 Views 0 Comments Scott Levison, Board of County Commission, Hillsborough County, Harry Cohen

This entry is part 6 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

Democrat Harry Cohen and Republican Scott Levinson are vying for this seat. I did not get a call from Levinson, but I did hear from Harry Cohen. In fact, that’s not the first time we’ve talked. Cohen is a policy wonk. He makes sure he knows what he’s talking about, and he will have thought through any proposals he makes, and he takes the long view. So for Hillsborough County Commission District 1, I’m recommending Harry Cohen.

202 Candidates for Hillsborough County Tax Collector

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2020 Election – Hillsborough Tax Collector

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 B. John 852 Views 0 Comments T. K. Smith, Tax Collector, Hillsborough County, 2020 Election, Nancy Millan

This entry is part 5 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

The two candidates are Democrat Nancy Millan and Republican T.K. Smith. I put out my usual call to both but spoke only with Millan. McMillan has 30 years of experience at the tax collector’s office. In speaking with her she was suggesting some innovative ways to meet the needs of the citizens with some simple common-sense approaches to the many tasks performed by the tax collector. She was open to minor suggestion I made, and I thought she was smart and practical. I’m recommending Nancy Millan based on her years of experience, knowledge of the office and its duties, and her commonsense approach to the office.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Sheriff

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2020 Election – Hillsborough County Sheriff

October 18, 2020 B. John 577 Views 0 Comments Ron McMullen, Hillsborough County, Sheriff, Chad Chronister, Gary Pruitt

This entry is part 4 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

The incumbent is “married into money” Chad Chronister opposed by Independent Ron McMullen and Democrat Gary Pruitt. Pruitt is the only candidate who returned my calls (and you know my rule). I didn’t expect to hear from Chronister. Chronister is the recommendation of Times Editorial Board, and we could do worse. In my conversations with Gary Pruitt I found him to be genuine and level-headed. He seems to care a lot more about “law enforcement” than about politics. He wants body cams and windshield cams. He also favors an actual “Citizens’ Oversight” function over just an “advisory committee.” I’m recommending Gary Pruitt.