Jacob Ogles
Dr. Stephen Pyles hasn’t run for office before. But he’s considered it numerous times.
Community leaders approached him in the early 2000s, while Gov. Jeb Bush still served, about seeking an open seat in the state Senate. The Ocala Republican declined. “I decided not to do it, and I always regretted not doing that,” he said. “When I heard about this opportunity, I thought maybe it’s time.”
Pyles has now qualified as a candidate in the Special Election for House District 24. That seat opened up following the resignation of former Rep. Joe Harding, who quit following a federal indictment.
Pyles, for his part, offers little opinion about Harding but considers him a supporter of the same political philosophies. In particular, he promises to pick up a similar agenda as far as parents’ rights.
“I’m for parents being more involved in children’s education,” he said. “I have a fair number of patients who are LGBT. I don’t think any of them, if you poll them as a group, are in favor of teaching about sex of any kind with children as young as kindergarten.”
Pyles has lived in the Ocala area for the last 38 years, he said. The medical doctor opened the Pain Treatment Center in the area in 1986.
In recent years, he said he’s grown increasingly concerned with a growing homeless population in the area. He would like to see the state help with the area, noting a handful of homeless camps seem to exist in Marion County at all times now.
He said the population largely consists of three groups. That includes many with substance abuse problems and many in need of mental health care. There are also victims of economic circumstances beyond their control, including many children. All those issues can be addressed by state government.
“I think the services are there, and the people are there, and the two just aren’t getting together,” he said.
Pyles is one of five Republicans already qualified for the Special Election, and is running against Justin Albright, Ryan Chamberlin, Jose Juarez and Charlie Stone in a March 7 Primary. No Democrats have filed, but the qualification of a write-in candidate means the Primary will be closed.
4 comments
Kathy Bentley
January 10, 2023 at 11:30 am
Pyles treated my mom several years ago before she passed away. I don’t know him other than that. I will say he has the worst attitude for a doctor. A narcissist I wouldn’t vote for, even though he’s a Republican!
Scaredtosay
January 11, 2023 at 2:15 am
This man can not get elected to any sort of position of authority. He is an abusive horrible person and I have never been treated so terribly by a medical professional. I have written a detailed account of my experience with him and would love to be able to post it and let people know who this man actually is: an unethical and abusive person who takes advantage of vulnerable people and the power dynamic between doctor and patient, which he is inherently is the dominant position. I was not able to answer his questions how I wanted to without him aggressively telling me how he wanted me to answer him. I 100% believe this to be because he is selling the spinal stimulator implant. No other treatment was discussed and in fact, it was not shut down with his aggressive and forceful behavior by calling me an addict. I actually ended up apologizing to him for crying, and he said “don’t worry I let things go”. I told him that I don’t. And I’m not. This kind of unethical behavior needs to be stopped. Please please PLEASE do not allow this man to get elected to public office. He is a corrupt doctor taking advantage of vulnerable people in pain and he absolutely will be a corrupt politician who takes advantage of vulnerable people as well.
I am concealing my identity in the demographics required to post this comment. Please understand that this is intentional and it is frankly because this man frightens me. I was indeed a patient of him and I will stop at nothing to hold him accountable for his atrocious conduct and his absolutely, with total certainty intentional infliction of emotional distress on me.
Robert
January 11, 2023 at 7:42 am
If you are looking for an opioid treatment to feed an addiction you should not go to this doctor. Head to some other pill mill.
Robert
January 11, 2023 at 7:39 am
Most drug addicts become hostile with doctors who won’t feed their habit. Dr Pyles is one of the most ethical doctors you will ever meet who refuses to become part of the opioid scourge.
A few minutes talking to DR Pyles will have you a believer in his platform.
Unfortunately anonymity makes it impossible to determine if the negative posts here are paid hits.
I encourage those reading posts from this site to get to know the Doctor, the man, and the political candidate. I promise you do you will end up with an opinion that will conclude the man has ethics.
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