Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
The list of backers is growing.
Americans for Prosperity-Florida announced Tuesday more than 70 House and Senate candidates have endorsed the organization’s “Five for Florida” plan.
“We want to make Florida the most prosperous state in the country for families and businesses,” said Chris Hudson, the state director for AFP-FL, in a statement. “Our Five for Florida policy program outlines how lawmakers can focus their efforts to deliver the sort of regulatory, tax, and free-market atmosphere that can propel the Sunshine State to lead the nation.”
Hudson said candidates who have endorsed the plan “sent their communities a strong signal” to eliminate political cronyism, expand educational opportunities, make government more transparent and accountable, and create a more economically competitive Florida.
Hudson said the announcement of “Five for Florida” backers does not reflect an endorsement from Americans for Prosperity-Florida. Instead, he said, it is a pledge from candidates to uphold the principles espoused in the document.
According to the “Five for Florida” website, the five steps for reform are: make taxes fair and end political favoritism; don’t make financial promises taxpayers can’t keep; be stewards of good, transparent government; empower students with the best education; and free entrepreneurs to pursue the American Dream.
“We hope that those who signed this pledge take it as seriously as it is intended,” said Hudson. “While we appreciate the support for these policies on paper, it should be noted that some of the endorsers have previously supported policies contrary to the principles called for in Five for Florida. We will take great measure to hold these endorsers accountable for their action.”
The 2016 endorsers are:
William D. Fetke, Candidate for House District 1
Frank Henry White, Candidate for House District 2
Jayer Williamson, Candidate for House District 3
Laurie Bartlett, Candidate for House District 4
Wayne R. Harris, Candidate for House District 4
Armand Izzo, Candidate for House District 4
Mel Ponder, Candidate for House District 4
Christopher Eugene Schwantz, Candidate for House District 4
Jonathan Michael Tallman, Candidate for House District 4
Brad Drake, Candidate for House District 5
Jay Trumbull, Candidate for House District 6
Cord Byrd, Candidate for House District 11
Donnie Horner, Candidate for House District 11
Stan Jordan, Candidate for House District 12
Terry L. Fields, Candidate for House District 14
Christian Marcus Whitfield, Candidate for House District 14
Jason Michael Fischer, Candidate for House District 16
Dick Kravitz, Candidate for House District 16
Leslie Dougher, Candidate for House District 19
Robert Payne, Candidate for House District 19
Katherine Van Zant, Candidate for House District 19
Wenda Lewis, Candidate for House District 21
Tim Rogers, Candidate for House District 21
Al Macri, Candidate for House District 22
Charlie Stone, Candidate for House District 22
Paul M. Renner, Candidate for House District 24
Steve Miller, Candidate for House District 26
Bob Cortes, Candidate for House District 30
Ron Berman, Candidate for Senate District 30
Jennifer Sullivan, Candidate for House District 31
Ralph E. Massullo Jr., Candidate for House District 34
Charles Davis, Candidate for House District 41
Mike La Rosa, Candidate for House District 42
Mike Miller, Candidate for House District 42
George Joseph Collins, Candidate for House District 50
Thad Altman, Candidate for House District 52
Brian Hodgers, Candidate for House District 52
Monique Irene Miller, Candidate for House District 52
Robert “Fritz” VanVolkenburgh, Candidate for House District 52
Randall Adam Fine, Candidate for House District 53
Dale Mark Glading, Candidate for House District 54
Lange Sykes, Candidate for House District 54
Edwin Cary Pigman, Candidate for House District 55
Ben Albritton, Candidate for House District 56
Larry Ahern, Candidate for House District 66
Joseph JB Bensmihen, Candidate for House District 68
Jim Boyd, Candidate for House District 71
Steve Vernon, Candidate for House District 73
Matt Caldwell, Candidate for House District 79
Joseph Asher Davidow, Candidate for House District 80
Byron Donalds, Candidate for House District 80
MaryLynn Magar, Candidate for House District 82
Laurel S. Bennett, Candidate for House District 86
Artie Lurie, Candidate for House District 90
Patricia Hawkins-Williams, Candidate for House District 92
Robert Lee Lynch, Candidate for House District 95
Manny Diaz Jr, Candidate for House District 103
Carlos Trujillo, Candidate for House District 105
Lavigne Ann Kirkpatrick, Candidate for House District 106
Robert G. Rommel, Candidate for House District 106
Bryan Avila, Candidate for House District 111
Rosa Maria “Rosy” Palomino, Candidate for House District 112
Jonathan H. Parker, Candidate for House District 113
Steven A. Rojas Tallon, Candidate for House District 118
Jeanette M. Nunez, Candidate for House District 119
Mike Hill, Candidate for Senate District 1
Keith Perry, Candidate for Senate District 8
Debbie Mayfield, Candidate for Senate District 17
Ritch Workman, Candidate for Senate District 17
Kelli Stargel, Candidate for Senate District 22
Greg Steube, Candidate for Senate District 23
Joe Negron, Candidate for Senate District 25
Matt Hudson, Candidate for Senate District 28
Kathleen C. Passidomo, Candidate for Senate District 28
Emmanuel G. Morel, Candidate for Senate District 31
