Mitch Perry
As a member of an alternative third party, Shawn Gilliam’s worldview and ideology are not easily explained; it could make it hard to break through with voters in House District 58.
The 32-year-old Plant City resident recently filed to run for the seat currently held by Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson.
A recent convert to the Green Party, he does not agree with their stance in support of medical marijuana, saying its effects are too negative for the body.
While raised as a Christian, Gilliam converted to Islam “about three Ramadans ago.”
He says in some respects he’s quite conservative. He’s pro-life and anti-same-sex marriage.
“I would like to present a bill making the Islamic Nikah (marriage contract) a legally binding contract for marriage and any other religious marriage contract that is legally binding between the husband and wife if it pertains to religious affiliation,” he said in a follow-up email.
He is a passionate environmentalist and supports the need for more green energy.
He’s also anti-fluoride in the water, and in an email statement, said that he favors polygamy. ‘Islam recognizes Poligomy [sic], and I would like to get that legal in our state as well,” he writes.
Raulerson defeated Democrat Jose Vasquez by 16 points, 58 to 42 percent, in November.
HD 58 covers most Hillsborough County’s eastern suburbs.
