Residents Invited to Hear from Local Democratic Candidates

While all eyes have been turned to national politics, the East Hillsborough Democratic Club wants residents to be aware that there are some critical local races on the Nov. 6 ballot as well.

The community will have an opportunity to hear from local Democratic candidates for office Tuesday, Aug. 14 when the East Hillsborough Democratic Club meets at Barnacles Seafood, 926 Providence Rd., Brandon.

The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Scheduled to speak are Elizabeth Belcher, a candidate for the Florida Senate District 24 seat; Bruce Barnett, a candidate for the District 57 House seat; Gail Gottlieb, a candidate for the House District 59 seat; and Mark Nash, who is running for the Hillsborough County Commission District 4 seat. 

The four candidates are gearing up for a battle against Republican opponents on Election Day, Nov. 6.

Belcher, a longtime Seffner resident, is a political activist who fought to preserve the environmentally sensitive Cone Ranch in northwest Hillsborough and questioned government funding used to construct The Regent community center in Riverview.

Noting that Florida is ranked No. 1 in the nation for public corruption, Belcher vows to work toward strengthening ethics laws. She also favors increased measures to protect farmers and more autonomy for public school teachers.

"I believe teachers are the solution, not the problem," she said.

Gottlieb, a Brandon native and member of Nativity Catholic Church, said she's running in the hopes of finding ways to revive Florida's economy.

"Too much of the middle class is being threatened today," she said. "I want to work to return us to a vibrant economy."

She said she's also concerned about corruption in state government.

"We must fight for higher standards of ethical practice in Tallahassee," she said.

Lithia resident Nash believes it's high time Brandon got some representation on the Hillsborough County Commission, noting that six of the seven county commissioners reside west of Interstate 75 and the seventh, County Commissioner Al Higginbotham, lives in Plant City.

"As a result, Eastern Hillsborough residents continually get the short end of the stick," Nash said. "Everything nobody else wants comes to East Hillsborough."

As a native of East Hillsborough County, Nash says "my values are uniquely Hillsborough County values." He said he's in favor of "smarter growth," improving the county's transportation system and providing more career opportunities for residents.

Tampa native and Valrico resident Barnett is concerned with health care, schools and the quality of life of residents in his district.

"Like all parents in Florida, I have seen education budgets slashed while select legislators and private companies have pillaged our state," he said. "Our tax dollars are being diverted away from their intended purposes into the hands of corporate interests. The Florida I grew up in was one of opportunity, prosperity, and strong communities. That is the Florida we deserve."

Following the presentations by the candidates, Dr. Patrick Cannon of Florida advocacy director for Florida CHAIN, a statewide consumer health advocacy organization, will discuss the Affordable Care Act. His topics will include:

• Supreme Court: Update/explanation of ruling and implications

• Explanation of the individual mandate/penalty

• Consequences of Florida's potential refusal to expand Medicaid

• New preventive benefits for women taking effect Aug. 1

• How to talk about the Affordable Care Act

• Romney care v. Obamacare

Ordering food and drinks at Barnacles during the meeting is done on an individual basis. Those attending are urged to bring a nonperishable food item and/or toiletries for men and women to the meeting to be donated to the Emergency Care Help Organization in Brandon.

The East Hillsborough Democratic Club serves Democrats from Brandon, Valrico, Lithia, Riverview, Seffner and Mango. For information, email EHCDClub@yahoo.com.

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