This November’s ballot can be a tough one. In addition to races for Congress, we have the Governor, Attorney General, CFO & Agriculture Commissioner statewide. There are various State House and Senate seats up for grabs. There are also county, school board and city races to consider. On top of that we have three constitutional amendments on the ballot, six county charter revision proposals and Palm Bay has a slew of their own. It's a lot to decipher.
I’ve always been honest with our audience as to how I am voting and why. In the races we are addressing on BML, here are my votes.
US SENATE- Marco Rubio
While I am not thrilled with Marco’s performance on several issues, Val Demings would be a huge step backwards. Rubio generally stands for what’s right and we need control of the Senate if we are going to hold off any more of the disastrous Biden agenda.
US CONGRESS- Bill Posey
Bill is right on the issues, responsive to the community and has worked hard for Brevard his entire political career. He’s been a good Representative and replacing him with a non-conservative choice would be a huge mistake.
GOVERNOR- Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis has been a good governor. Florida is way ahead of most of the country when it comes to COVID responses and on the education issues that are so important. DeSantis is clearly conservative and has held his ground on key issues. Charlie Crist has no foundation to stand on, was not a good governor as a Republican, is as politically flexible as they come and would be a horrible choice for Florida.
ATTORNEY GENERAL- Ashley Moody
The AG’s done a good job. We should keep her.
CFO- Jimmy Patronis
The state is faring well economically. There is no need for change here.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE- Wilton Simpson
Wilton Simpson is not my favorite, but is the lesser of two evils in this race. He is not conservative and was instrumental in passing the Stoneman-Douglas School Safety Act. He’s an established Florida politician and we could use less people like this in office.
STATE SENATOR D-8- Tom Wright
Only representing a small portion of Brevard, voters in the northern part of the county have this choice.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE D-33- Anthony Yantz
My distain for the sitting D-53 Representative is well known. He has not been honest with us and has not served our community well. While Yantz is a Democrat, one Democrat in a Republican controlled Florida House will do far less damage than the current representative has done in his six years in office. Until we hold the people we elect to office accountable, we get the government we deserve.
COUNTY COMMISSION D-4- Rob Feltner
Rob was the clear choice in the Primary and there is no serious opposition with the write-in candidate.
SCHOOL BOARD D-2- Gene Trent
Gene is solid on the issues facing our schools and will serve well in this position. He was the most prepared candidate of all I spoke to in the Primary season. His opponent didn’t bother to respond to invitations to talk with us, much less appear to do so. If she can’t talk to those who don’t agree with her, how can she adequately represent the people as a school board member?
COUNTY COURT JUDGE GROUP-4- Kimberly Musselman
I am not a fan of interviewing judicial candidates, but chose to do so when it became an actual race and not an attorney popularity contest. My vote comes down to experience in practicing law. Being unable to ask substantive questions of judicial candidate hampers voters in being able to make quality choices.
Both candidates were cordial and presented themselves well. I enjoyed the interviews more than I had anticipated. Still, I’d like to be able to know them better before casting a vote.
OTHER JUDICIAL RACES- Undervote
Until we can ask substantive questions of candidates there is nearly no reason to retain any judges or vote for most new ones.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
1- LIMIT ON ASSESSMENT AFTER FLOOD IMPROVEMENT- YES, there is no reason to penalize a homeowner acting to protect their home from storms by hitting them with more taxes.
2- ABOLISH THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION- the dumbest thing we do in Florida. YES, Rather than deal with form and function of government, this commission has worked to subvert the representative system of government and make law, bad law, by direct democracy.
3- ADDITIONAL TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN CLASSES OF WORKERS- NO, while it may seem honorable to give emergency workers a tax break, what this really does is create another class of citizen who, for choice of employment, is now somehow more deserving of a tax break than others. We do this far too often.
MILLAGE TAX INCREASE FOR BREVARD SCHOOLS- NO
The education establishment has abandoned families in favor of social agendas and it’s time we return the favor. Until they get back to the business of educating our kids instead of indoctrinating them, they don’t deserve another penny from taxpayers. Their budget is over a billion dollars and they can’t justify it with enrollment or inflation. Our teachers average above the mean income for our region. If they need to save money, cut facilities (like small enrollment schools) and administrative extravagancies like an executive level position for diversity and inclusion.
EXTEND THE EELS PROGRAM- NO
Three “education centers” that are an unnecessary extravagance sever as examples of why this tax and the entire idea is a bad one. The climate alarmism needs no home in Brevard and this unnecessary tax on ourselves and the program around it need to stop.
COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS
1 & 4- ATTORNEY DISAGREEMENT OVER CHARTER PROVISIONS- NO TO BOTH- they are in conflict with each other and generate confusion. Come back next time with one solid idea for how it should be handled instead of two that are in conflict.
2- REQUIRE 60% APPROVAL FOR REVISIONS TO PASS- YES
This is easy. It should take a super-majority to make changes to the guiding document of our county.
3- RECALL OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS- NO
This appears to be in conflict with state law and has strong potential for abuse- elections have consequences and if we want change we should get behind well qualified candidates and get them elected.
5- FILLING COUNTY COMMISSION VACANCY- YES
While this is a bit confusing, as long as it complies with state law, there is no harm here.
6- AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND- NO
This is not government’s responsibility. There are agencies that already receive tax dollars for these purposes. We would be better served by pursuing training programs for the industrial jobs that come with space and manufacturing that are growing in our region. Those jobs will enable people to achieve career and lifestyle dreams.
Chris Muro is a Political Science Professor at Eastern Florida State College who appeared on BML to analyze the statewide races and constitutional amendments on the ballot. He also broke down the Brevard initiatives, charter review proposals and Palm Bay ballot measures for us. You’ll find his insights valuable as you consider your ballot. Here are the links to those discussions: