If you’ve seen a local television ad about a politician railing against the practices of giant utility companies, chances are it is Dwight Dudley.
The Democrat incumbent in the State House District 68 race has been a constant voice against Duke Energy’s fees to customers for a closed power plant in Crystal River and another never built in Levy County.
Dudley is not a lone voice in targeting Duke but he has been constant during the political season.
His opponent in the race, meanwhile, has something else more constant with Pinellas County constituents – his name.
Bill Young, the 30-year-old son of the late U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, is a Republican running as a first-time candidate. He said he will look to continue in his father’s tradition of helping veterans and small business.
“I have worked with and helped a small business grow from its startup phase, and most importantly I have been a member of this community for many, many years,” Young said. “I know how to work with others to find meaningful solutions to the problems most important to our communities and that is something I am committed to and will bring with me to Tallahassee.”
Dudley, 60, has been in office since 2012 in District 68, which includes Pinellas Park and parts of St. Petersburg.
Recently, Dudley proposed legislation aimed at lowering utility bills for business customers.
"I've been leading on this issue and fighting for consumers for the past two years," Dudley said. "People who are paying attention know the difference between my fighting this for more than two years and politicians jumping on the bandwagon."
Zimmerman faces obstacles, well-funded opponent in District 65
Carl Zimmerman says it did not take long.
Not long after being elected as the State House Rep. in north Pinellas County, Democrat Carl Zimmerman said he found himself smack dab in the middle of hostile political climate of Tallahassee.
A former Republican turned Democrat, the incumbent Zimmerman is facing off against well-funded challenger Chris Sprowls, whose fundraising has been twice that of Zimmerman’s.
“I feel like I’m in a war,” Zimmerman said of some of his dealings in politics. “But instead of shooting me, they have lunch with me. So much of the legislation appears very influenced by a tremendous amount of money.”
But that has not stopped Zimmerman, 63, from seeking re-election. A former advertising executive who has taught journalism at Countryside High, Zimmerman has emphasized eliminating the Duke Energy recovery tax, delaying Common Core and eliminating seizures of private condos by investors.
Sprowls, meanwhile, is a 30-year-old assistant state attorney who started his political career as an intern for for Sen. Mike Fasano and Rep. Mike Bilirakis.
A first-time candidate, Sprowls has focused on jobs, education and veterans affairs ahead of the election.
“My top priority will be making sure we continue to attract high paying jobs in growth industries,” Sprowls said. “We must also ensure that our children have the opportunity to get a world-class education with a particular focus on science and technology.
“That means outside-of-the-box, competitive education policy that demands accountability and rewards performance.”
Both candidates oppose Greenlight Pinellas and are split on medical marijuana. Zimmerman said after seeing his sister painfully and unsuccessfully fight breast cancer, medical marijuana improved her quality of life.
Sprowls said he opposes the way the law is written and fears it will create a “pot on demand” system.
District 66 race a choice down party lines
The State House race in District 66 is very much right down the party lines: A two-time incumbent Republican going up against an upstart Democrat.
Larry Ahern has represented District 66 (Indian Shores, Seminole and parts of Clearwater and Largo) since 2010. The 59-year-old business owner said his priorities are small business, education and fiscal responsibility.
His opponent, Lorena Grizzle is a longtime teacher, who agrees education is a key platform.
“With a more moderate approach and a belief in deeply researching the issues, I believe I am best qualified for this position as State Representative,” said Grizzle, 61. “As a teacher, I know our educational issues and how decisions made without educator input affect our children. I have been a constant advocate for children, parents, and teachers as a board member and past-president of PTA and a member of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association government relations committee.”
Ahern, meanwhile, has stressed job creation and has been active in Tallahassee as the Vice Chair of both the Government Operations Subcommittee and the Health & Human Services Committee.
Familiar name may stand out in State House District 67 race
A well-connected and well-funded candidate with a well-known name is facing a union president in the District 67 State House race.
Chris Latvala, 32, the son of Sen. Jack Latvala and former legislative aide to Rep. Ed Hooper is vying for Hooper’s seat. Hooper is leaving due to term limits.
Latvala, a printing business executive, is running against Steve Sarnoff, the president of Communications Workers of America Local 3179.
“I am a long time union leader and community activist who has been involved in political and legislative issues in Clearwater, Largo and Tallahassee for many years,” said the 62-year-old Sarnoff. “I have 16 years of hands-on experience, working with others to overcome political and legislative challenges at the federal, state and local levels, speaking out on issues that affect our economy, our health and our future as a state, that is why I am more qualified to serve the people of District 67.”
Latvala, who has raised more than 10 times as much money during campaign fundraising, said his experience in the district under Hooper is key.
“I am the best candidate because I am the hardest working, Latvala said. “I will be a Representative who represents all the voters- those who voted for me and those who didn't. As a legislative aide, I understand the importance of constituent service.”
'Caring' Rep. Kathleen Peters the incumbent in District 69
With their vote in District 69, residents along the Pinellas beaches will have to choose between an incumbent that describes herself as a "compassionate conservative" and a “moderate Democrat” challenger .
Incumbent Republican Kathleen Peters says she is qualified to retain her State Representative seat because of her knowledge of Pinellas County and proven track record. She is facing off against Scott Orsini, a Democrat and family law attorney.
“I am the most qualified candidate because I know Pinellas County,” said Peters, the former mayor of South Pasedena. “I know this district - what makes it unique and what it needs to continue growing. I have a proven track record of looking out for my district and getting things done, proven results.”
Peters, 53, has said a top priority for the next legislative session should be on mental health.
“Not only establishing a new equation on how funding is distributed,” Peters said. “But changing the current system, including prevention of criminalization of the mentally ill and inclusivity of mental health services within the health care system for total health.”
Orsini, 49, a first-time candidate, has said he would have a more broad focus in office, choosing to key on small business and upgrading education.
“The people of District 69 need a representative that will advocate for the issues that matter most to them,” Orsini said. “We don’t need the old, failing policies that make it hard for small businesses to keep their doors open or for a family to make ends meet.”
Orsini added that his other priorities would be restoring funding to our public schools, repealing the Nuclear Cost Recovery Fee and other anti-consumer legislation, and advocating for the expansion of Medicaid in Florida.
District 69 encompasses west St. Petersburg, Gulfport, South Pasadena and the beach communities from North Redington down to St. Pete Beach.
Veteran lawmaker Rouson up against newcomer in State House race
The State House District 70 race pits a veteran politician against a newcomer.
State Rep. Darryl Rouson won the seat in a 2008 special election and has held it since. Rouson, 59, a practicing attorney for more than 30 years, is well known in St. Petersburg.
Rouson is facing off against Philip Garrett, who is running without any party affiliation.
Garrett, 49, is a longtime tax appraiser in Hillsborough County and a former board member with the St. Petersburg NAACP.
Both have stressed that education improvements are paramount in their district, which comprises southeastern Pinellas and parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
During his time in office, Rouson has supported school vouchers and was the primary sponsor of House Bill 49, which prohibits the sale of certain marijuana glass pipes. More recently, he has said he does not support Amendment 2, saying the medical marijuana legislation allows for too many loopholes.
Garrett, meanwhile, said he supports medical marijuana in Florida.
Should he win, Rouson can serve another two years before term limits kick in.