Election endorsements
To the editor:
This midterm will shape the direction of our state and nation for years to come. On Nov. 3, voters will decide whether to halt the slide toward corruption, economic inequality and the erosion of basic democratic principles. As we do every cycle, Progressives of the Islands heard from candidates, reviewed their records and weighed their qualifications, viability and vision. I’d like to share our endorsements with your readers.
Federal: For U.S. Senate, we endorse Angie Nixon, a state representative and former union organizer who has made health care her top priority. For Congress (FL-19), we endorse Victor Arias, a Cape Coral attorney who has represented working families for more than 35 years.
Statewide: For Governor, we endorse David Jolly, a former Republican congressman running with Gwen Graham on pragmatic, coalition-building leadership. He made a compelling case when he spoke before our members. For Attorney General, we endorse labor attorney and former state senator José Javier Rodríguez. For CFO, we endorse former state senator Annette Taddeo, because Florida needs an independent financial watchdog, not a governor’s appointee.
For Agriculture Commissioner, we endorse Joey Mendoza Atkins, who focuses on farmers, water resources and transparency.
We urge a NO vote on retaining Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz. He joined the ruling that cleared the way for the six-week abortion ban. He also wrote the opinion upholding a map that eliminated a North Florida district where Black voters could elect their candidate of choice.
Local: For Lee County Supervisor of Elections, we endorse Chris Vignieri, a DCF chief legal counsel who sees the office as an impartial one. For County Commission District 2, we endorse Elliot Taylor, who wants development to pay more of its own infrastructure costs and wants our wetlands protected. For Florida House District 80, we endorse Bill Moskal, a healthcare executive who wants infrastructure in place before new development and tougher oversight of insurers.
Ballot measures. We recommend voting yes on single-member commission districts and no on the three-term limit for county officers, which is easily circumvented. We take no position on the mosquito control merger. We recommend no on Amendments 1, 2 and 3, which together would drain local revenue and concentrate power in Tallahassee.
Captiva Erosion Prevention District. For Seat 1, we endorse John Raburn Dupre Jr., who has carefully scrutinized project costs. For Seat 3, we endorse Bob Walter, the current chairman and a full-time Captiva resident.
We offer these endorsements as the product of careful deliberation, not as commands. Please vote, bring a neighbor and stay engaged. The work of democracy doesn’t end on Election Day.
Annette Pacyga
Chairperson, Progressives of the Islands Sanibel