It’s a primary in an off-year election so you can sit it out, right? Wrong. This primary will frame the elections for important positions like Governor, Attorney General (with oversight of gay adoption appeals), U.S. Senate, several national and state legislative positions, and local races like Orange County Mayor and other county commission and school board seats. If you wait for the general election in November, you may find that your candidate of choice missed the cut.
Below you will find Watermark’s recommendations for the Aug. 24 primaries. Endorsements are based on a candidate’s stance on LGBT issues, as well as their overall strategies to improve life in Florida. As always, we urge you to do your own research and make informed decisions in the voting booth.
REPUBLICAN
GOVERNOR: No recommendation. Rick Scott and Bill McCollum are two of the most unappealing candidates in memory. Both are against same-sex marriage and gay and lesbian adoption. McCollum recently said he would also fight to end foster parent rights by LGBTs. Either would be a disaster as governor.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: Pam Bondi. Political newcomer Bondi has spent 18 years as a prosecutor with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office and has tried every type of case. Her fresh perspective could remove the partisan environment created under McCollum’s tenure.
U.S. SENATE: No recommendation. Of the three candidates vying for the post, including front runner Marco Rubio, none have expressed even an inkling of support for the LGBT community.
DEMOCRAT
GOVERNOR: Alex Sink. Many perceive Sink’s flip-flop on marriage equality as a slight to the LGBT community. But Florida’s current Chief Financial Officer has significant ties to the LGBT community, and has spoken out for repeal of the state’s ban on gay adoption.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: You pick ‘em. State Sen. David Aronberg is a Harvard-educated attorney who has been a steadfast advocate for LGBT equality, and has been endorsed by several openly gay elected officials. State Rep. Dan Gelber is a U of F law grad who served as a federal prosecutor for eight years. He has the more impressive legal background, and the endorsement of Equality Florida. Both have stressed their commitment to LGBT equality during their campaigns.
U.S. SENATE: Kendrick Meek. U.S. Rep. Meek is not an ideal candidate, but he has supported repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and has Equality Florida’s endorsement. He will be a solid vote for LGBT equality in the Senate. His opponent, credit swap gazillionaire Jeff Greene, only recently moved to Florida, has few inspiring ideas, and has not made LGBT issues a pillar of his campaign.
REPUBLICAN
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 11: Tony Buntyn. U.S. Air Force Colonel and small business owner Buntyn is focused on making immigration more efficient and strengthening our military.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 44: Fabian Calvo. Small business owner Calvo has expressed the desire to fight corruption in both parties and is the only candidate in this race to even respond to Equality Florida’s questionnaire.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 47: Irene Guy. While all five Republican candidates have said they support the state’s ban on gays and lesbians adopting, Guy’s experience with civic groups and statewide policy seem to give her an edge and her respect for Florida’s environment is impressive.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 48: Peter Nehr. Incumbent Nehr is one of three Republican candidates who has a refreshing independent streak in a polarized political climate. He refused to vote on Senate Bill 6, the teacher bill, and he wanted to give Floridians a vote on offshore drilling.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 60: Shawn Harrison. Former New Tampa City Councilman Harrison has a track record of offering a reasonable voice and is active in regional discussions for building a better transportation system throughout Tampa Bay.
HILLSBOROUGH CO. COMM. DIST. 3: Valarie Goddard. Both Goodard and incumbent Kevin White received 83% approval by Equality Florida, but with the financial strains White’s sexual harassment suit has cost the county, Goodard seems to be the better choice.
HILLSBOROUGH CO. COMM. DIST. 7: Josh Burgin. Political newcomer Burgin is opposed to increased taxes and has built his campaign around not increasing taxes; plus his incumbent rival, Mark Sharpe, voted with Ronda Storms in 2004 to ban Gay Pride displays at county libraries.
PINELLAS CO. COMM. DIST. 4: Susan Latvala. Incumbent commissioner Latvala has been a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, spearheading last fall’s decision to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the county’s Human Rights Ordinance.
DEMOCRAT
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 9: Anita de Palma. While de Palma has no specific campaign information relating to LGBT issues, she has been a civil rights advocate for the Hispanic community and other minorities for most of her career.
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 11: Kathy Castor. Castor has been a long-time supporter of LGBT equality and supports same-sex marriage, gay and lesbian adoption and fair districting.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 44: Diane Rowden. The former flight attendant has volunteered for charitable organizations across Tampa Bay and received a 100% rating on the Equality Florida questionnaire regarding LGBT rights.
Online only recommendation! STATE HOUSE DIST. 47: Michael Steinberg. The lone Democrat in this race has proudly voiced his disdain for the state’s ban on gay men and women adopting and is against offshore drilling.
Online only recommendation! STATE HOUSE DIST. 48: Tom McKone. The Vice Chairman of the East Lake Special Fire Control district Commission in Tarpon Springs is against offshore drilling of any kind and has been praised for his budgeting. He is also a strong supporter of WMNF radio, which prides itself on diversity.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 53: Rick Kriseman. The former St. Pete City Councilman has been a long-time advocate for LGBT rights and has filed bills several times to reverse the state’s ban on gays and lesbians adopting.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 60: Russ Patterson. Activist Patterson is a staple at LGBT community events around Tampa Bay and has plans to fix the state’s budget shortfall.
HILLSBOROUGH CO. COMM. DIST. 1: John Dingfelder. Former Tampa City Councilman Dingfelder has supported LGBT causes and rights for years and is a staple at events throughout Tampa Bay.
HILLSBOROUGH CO. COMM. DIST. 5: Linda Saul-Sena. While on the Tampa City Council, Saul-Sena supported Mayor Pam Iorio’s diversity provisions and has spoken at LGBT Pride events and to organizations to voice her support of equality.
Online only recommendation! PINELLAS CO. COMM. DIST. 4: Bob Hackworth. Hackworth is the former mayor of Dunedin and was at the forefront of the fight to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s Human Rights Ordinance. No primary challenger.
NON-PARTISAN
HILLSBOROUGH CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 2: Candy Olson Not only is Olson involved in the schools arts programs through the Straz Performing Arts Center, she’s also has used her business background to voice smart options when it comes to using tax dollars to improve the district’s programs.
HILLSBOROUGH CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 6: April Griffin The outspoken Griffin has brought a much-needed ruffle to the board that for too long stayed the course. Her support for LGBT students and Gay/Straight Alliances makes here a powerful ally for the LGBT community.
PINEALLS CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 2: Terry Krassner. Krassner’s deep roots in Pinellas County, her budget cutting ideas and her endorsement by Equality Florida influenced our recommendation.
PINELLAS CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 3: Peggy O’Shea. Since she was elected last term, O’Shea has helped limit friction on the contentious board.
PINELLAS CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 6: Linda Lerner Former mental health professional Lerner has been at the forefront when it comes to fighting budget cuts that directly impact students.
PINELLAS CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 7: James Jackson Former Miami-Dade psychology professor Jackson is a political newcomer to Pinellas County and the race’s only openly gay candidate. His extensive experience with the educational system would be useful on the board.
REPUBLICAN
SARASOTA CO. COMM. DIST 4: Nora Patterson Incumbent Patterson has more experience than challenger Mark Smith but both describe themselves as fiscal conservatives. Patterson seems to have more ideas when it comes to boosting the county’s economy and her experience could help her do just that.
NON-PARTISAN
SARASOTA CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 1: Barry Woolf. After he retired from a career as a corporate trainer, Woolf became a substitute teacher and immediately became embedded in the district’s curriculum. His 100% rating by Equality Florida shows that he not only has the experience needed to improve Sarasota schools, but he also respects students and teachers of all backgrounds.
SARASOTA CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 4: Shirley Brown As the current chair of the board, Brown seems to have a no-nonsense approach to improving Sarasota’s schools and her support of current Superintendent Lori White is well-placed.
SARASOTA CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 5: Jane Goodwin With endorsements from business associations and the current Dist. 5 school board member, Goodwin seems to be the natural choice. Her thought out plans for improving student performance and her faith in Superintendent White seem to be on track for continuing the improvement of the district.
REPUBLICAN
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 3: No endorsement.
U. S. HOUSE DIST. 6: Don Browning. It’s time to give 10-term Republican obstructionist Cliff Stearns of Ocala the boot. Browning, a resident of Winter Springs, favors development of bio-fuels in Central Florida.
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 8: No Endorsement. Seven candidates are running to unseat Democratic nemesis Alan Grayson. It’s a race to the right. Folksy former state legislator Dan Webster is the favorite, and possibly the most benign, but he’d also be the toughest competition for Grayson.
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 24: No Endorsment. Five candidates hope to replace one-term incumbent Suzanne Kosmas in a district with more registered Republicans than Democrats. None have embraced any semblance of LGBT equality.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 33: Jason Brodeur. Brodeur is chairman of the Seminole County Republican Party, and is more a fiscal conservative. His opponent, Alice Sterling, touts herself as a “family values” conservative.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 36: Greg Reynolds. Commercial real estate developer Reynolds lives in downtown Orlando, has an urban sensibility, and was endorsed by the Orlando Sentinel. He also happens to be gay.
STATE HOUSE DIST. 79: Mike Horner. Although incumbent Horner has garnered endorsements from conservative Republican superstars, his platform is devoid of references to “family values.” His opponent, Thomas Chalifoux, is a wealthy developer.
DEMOCRAT
U.S. HOUSE DIST. 3: Corrine Brown. The 9-term incumbent is far from perfect, but her primary challenger is unknown and underfunded, and Democrats can’t afford to lose seats considered safe.
U. S. HOUSE DIST. 12: Lori Edwards. Both Edwards and Doug Tudor are strong candidates to make this a surprise Democratic seat. Tudor is ex-military but liberal, believing we should pull out of Afghanistan and move to a single payer health care system. But incumbent Adam Putnam, who is running for Agriculture Commissioner, trounced Tudor two years ago. Edwards is leading her likely Republican opponent in recent polls. She’s the current Polk County Supervisor of Elections, a former state legislator, has endorsements from the Lakeland Ledger and Orlando Sentinel and is a formidable candidate.
Online only recommendation! U.S. HOUSE DIST. 24: Suzanne Kosmas. The one-term incumbent is the safest bet to keep this vulnerable seat Democratic. Former Winter Springs mayor Paul Partyka is an appealing candidate, but would be far less formidable in November.
NON-PARTISAN
ORANGE CO. MAYOR: Bill Segal / Linda Stewart. We’ll narrow the field for you. Commissioner Segal is competent, respected, and has consistently expressed support for advancing LGBT equality in the county. He has high-level gay staff, and is comfortable and connected within our community. But pro-development votes and a reluctance to commit until a consensus has been built are a concern. Commissioner Stewart is an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, and has pushed hard for a comprehensive countywide non-discrimination ordinance. She would champion our community as county mayor. Her Roseanne-like charm is engaging but unpolished, and may not translate well with gavel in hand. Former Commissioner Teresa Jacobs has earned her reputation as budget watchdog, and she would probably make the best pure administrator, but her stands against gay adoption and same-sex marriage are disappointing and even retrograde. She would not work to advance LGBT equality in Orange County. Developer Matthew Falconer has interesting ideas, but his candidacy is a long shot with no LGBT appeal.
ORANGE CO. COMM. DIST. 4: Lydia Pisano. Pisano has an Orlando Sentinel endorsement and a 100% approval rating from Equality Florida.
ORANGE CO. COMM. DIST. 5: Ted Edwards. Both candidates are Republicans. Maitland Mayor Doug Kinson is of the “family values” variety. Edwards, a former two-term county commissioner, is informed on LGBT issues.
ORANGE CO. COMM. DIST. 6: Bruce Antone. The former state legislator got a high score from Equality Florida.
ORANGE CO. SCH. BRD. CHAIR: Bill Sublette. Experienced, respected former state legislator received a 100% rating from Equality Florida.
Online only recommendation! ORANGE CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 1: Joie Cadle As treasurer of the statewide Florida School Boards Association, Cadle has insight into the state’s educational system that her rivals don’t possess.
ORANGE CO. SCH. BRD. DIST. 2: Daryl Flynn. During her first term Flynn showed a deep understanding of the district’s economic struggles and suggested the board sacrifice 3% of their annul salaries. Challenger George Collins has the educational and classroom background, but his platform seems underdeveloped.
Online only recommendation! KISSIMMEE CITY COMM. DIST. 2: Wanda Rentas. Rentas is a newbie, but has great government and community outreach experience. Incumbent Carlos Irizarry scored high on the EQFL questionnaire, but he is fatally compromised by unresolved criminal charges that he pulled a gun on his wife.
KISSIMMEE CITY COMM. DIST. 4: Cheryl Grieb. The openly lesbian incumbent is an effective asset to Kissimmee, and to our community.
