The big November 6 general election looms, but in Central Florida some of the most interesting races will be decided by the primary on Tuesday, August 14.
Due to redistricting, Republicans must choose between two incumbents”Sandy Adams and John Mica”in U.S. House Dist. 7. They'll also decide who to send up against Alan Grayson in Dist. 9.
We'll learn who emerges from the slash-and-burn battle between Democrats Jeff Ashton and Lawson Lamar to be Orange-Osceola State Attorney.
Joe Saunders faces a hurdle to become the first openly gay state legislator in Florida's history in House Dist. 49. And Gina Duncan will learn if her energetic campaign to unseat Ted Edwards in Orange County's Dist. 5 will succeed. If it does, she'll become one of the first transgender candidates elected to public office in a major city.
Our endorsements for these and other races are based on a review of candidate web sites, newspaper coverage and a survey of LGBT and friendly political insiders. In some cases the decision was difficult. As always, we encourage you to do your own research and make your own decision. Most importantly, we encourage you to exercise your right of self-governance and vote. An (I) means the candidate is an incumbent
U.S. SENATE
Democrat: Bill Nelson (I)
Republican: Dave Weldon
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 7
Democrat: Jason Kendall
Republican: John Mica (I)
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 9
Republican: Julius Melendez
ORANGE-OSCEOLA STATE ATTORNEY
Jeff Ashton
It may seem like this position has little to do with LGBT issues, but the State Attorney sets policy for prosecution of hate crimes and same-sex domestic violence. Principal candidates Jeff Ashton and Lawson Lamar are both Democrats. Ashton is well known as the lead prosecutor in the Casey Anthony case. He worked for Lawson Lamar, who has been state attorney for the past 24 years. The candidates have faced each other in several high-profile debates. Ashton claims Lamar is a hands-off administrator with a poor conviction record. Lamar says Ashton is a divisive prima donna. What is certainly true is that Lamar is competent and experienced, if perhaps too comfortable in the position. And Ashton is a charismatic prosecutor who is untested as a leader and administrator. State attorney is a tough position, and this is a tough call; a vote for either candidate is legitimate. But based on inevitable but numerous complaints about Lamar's stewardship, and Ashton's active outreach to the LGBT community, we endorse Ashton.
STATE SENATE DIST. 12
Democrat: Geraldine Thompson
Geraldine Thompson was elected to the state House of Representatives six years ago as the first African-American to represent Orange County in the state legislature. Since then she has earned the respect of local politicos and fellow legislators. She deserves election to the state Senate, and will be effective in that more deliberative body. Opponent Victoria Siplin is largely drafting off of the embarrassing record of her husband, Gary Siplin, who has been term-limited.
STATE HOUSE
DIST. 45 Democrat: Shannon Curry
DIST. 46 Democrat: Jason Henry
STATE HOUSE DIST. 49
Democrat: Joe Saunders
Republican: Marco Pena
Saunders is one of the most inspiring local candidates in this election cycle. There is a strong possibility that he will become Florida's first openly gay state legislator. The former field director for Equality Florida is an intelligent, experienced progressive with all the skills necessary to be effective in Tallahassee. He's received endorsements from police, firefighters and teachers unions, as well as Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. But he needs active support in this newly created district encompassing UCF and surrounding neighborhoods to beat his Democratic challenger, activist attorney Shayan Elahi. Of the two Republicans running, former UCF student body president Marco Pena is most qualified.
CIRCUIT JUDGE GROUP 3
Belvin Perry (I)
CIRCUIT JUDGE GROUP 7
Leticia Marques
CIRCUIT JUDGE GROUP 27
Keith White (I)
CIRCUIT JUDGE GROUP 42
Tim Shea (I)
COUNTY COMM. DIST. 3
Lui Damiani
After Mildred Fernandez was indicted on corruption charges, Damiani served in this commission seat for more than a year before Gov. Rick Scott replaced him with fellow Republican John Martinez, who is not running. Damiani, an Independent, should be returned to this seat. His fiscally conservative, socially progressive outlook is a good fit for the commission. The Democrat in this race, Michael Aviles, is woefully inexperienced. Three Republican candidates are highly unappealing for LGBT voters, each for different reasons.
COUNTY COMM. DIST. 5
Gina Duncan
SHERIFF
Democrat: Jerry Demings (I)
TAX COLLECTOR
Republican: Jim Huckeba
SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 4
Pam Gould
SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 5
Kathleen “Kat” Gordon (I)
SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 6
Nancy Robbinson (I)
SCHOOL BOARD DIST.
Christine Moore (I)
COUNTY JUDGE GROUP 11
Adam McGinnis
COUNTY JUDGE GROUP 13
Leon Cheek (I)
