Why are you running for office?
To serve! Our current government is not serving; it has grown distant from the very people who pay the taxes that run it, and representation needs to be focused on the needs of the constituents. Rep Luna submitted 67 bills to Congress, of which none have been approved, and roughly 20 were submitted to her Republican colleagues, in a Republican run house. Her bills, such as adjusting Mount Rushmore, which is not in Pinellas County, don’t match the people’s needs, and it is frustrating. I have recruited an army of 400 volunteers to gather the thoughts and to document the needs of the people of Pinellas County. We have drafted bills focused on improving the lives of Pinellas County residents. I am not waiting for the government to come up with solutions; I am running to implement solutions.
What is your top priority on day 1?
Starting with affordability legislation that provides for oversight and regulations on food price gouging. Government agencies regulate electricity and water as national security issues, and even subsidize energy, but ignore food as if it's not a national security issue. Americans are tired of the government over-regulating certain parts of life while ignoring the importance of price gouging on food, health care, insurance, and other non-luxury items. After day one, I will be submitting a long list of well-prepared bills to reverse the damage being allowed by the current Congress.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
When powerful entities prey on those without power, I get upset. Wealthy corporations are paying an average of 4.5%, while seniors pay 12% and small business owners pay 19%. Taxes on senior citizens bother me even though it doesn’t impact me. A person pays into the tax system for fifty years, retires, and then still has to pay taxes, while large, wealthy corporations pay less than 5%; that’s just sickening. It’s the powerful taking advantage of those not in power, and it needs to end.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
When a senior citizen says that they want term limits and that the current leadership in Washington is too old, it's memorable. When I asked seniors about the topic, I expected to hear that with age comes wisdom and our older elected officials are wise, but local seniors overwhelmingly support term limits.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
Submit legislation that increased funding for Pinellas County residents to receive recovery funding from FEMA. Submit ANY legislation that actually made it through Congress. Hold real town halls in person rather than a moderated webinar that is only announced days before it is held. In other words, make an effort to listen to your constituents and not just your funders.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
Promoting confrontational party politics that do nothing to reach across the aisle. Engaging in Stage Politics that brings a spotlight to aliens on the Joe Rogan Experience while ignoring the needs of the constituents of the 13th District and not mentioning the needs at all during a three-hour nationally recognized podcast.
How will you measure your success?
The number of bills that I submit that become law. (Just one would beat Rep Luna) The amount of funding that is secured for the 13th district is through a variety of federal programs that are initiated through my efforts. The constituents of the 13th district state that they are benefiting from my work. Political discourse is more positive.
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
Spend time with my daughters at the beach, at their sporting events, and at family events. Contributing to the non-profit that I founded called Resilience, Inc which provides mental and emotional strength training tools to schools, daycares, and families.