Recent elections bore witness to an interesting phenomenon as certain candidates who clinched the highest number of votes in the August 20 primary found themselves either securing their seat or getting ready to take on an adversary in the general elections scheduled for November 5. In general, the contender tends to hail from the counter political party, a custom prevalent in Florida, a state famous for its closed primaries model.
An intriguing aspect of Florida’s political landscape, however, got approved in 1998 – a constitutional amendment permitting open primaries granted that every candidate belongs to the same party. This unique stipulation essentially allows the primary to pick the victor, barring contests where a write-in candidate happens to be on the horizon. Now, if you’re wondering what a write-in candidate is, let’s delve a little deeper.
A write-in candidate takes the non-traditional route to candidacy. They steer clear of the usual procedure of paying fees or amassing signatures to secure a place in the elections, thereby keeping their name off the ballot. Yet, their participation can effectively seal primaries that would have otherwise been open to all registered voters, independent of their party allegiance. Unsurprisingly, such a candidate plays a pivotal role in the exclusion of a slew of voters from the election process.
As we move closer to the November 5 general election, a glance at the Treasure Coast tells us which candidates are geared up to face a write-in candidate. Among the participants, political novice Eileen Vargas makes for an interesting contest. She managed to unseat the six-term stalwart Doug Smith in the August 20 primary, having won a whopping 12,094 votes, which put her a commendable 4,331 votes ahead.
Eileen plans on safeguarding the charming and quaint atmosphere of Martin County, standing as a ray of hope for those disenchanted with the constant changes and towering skyscrapers. She proposes working in collaboration with property owners to circumvent forced zoning changes, offering them alternatives to ensure they can align with the county’s Comprehensive Plan rules and regulations.
Moving ahead, Michelle Franklin is looking forward to completing a hat-trick with her third term. Being able to bag 15,123 votes in the primary was no mean feat, especially when it, in comparison, overshadowed Joe James’s tally by 3,842 votes. However, as always, Franklin appears to be more interested in implementing her promises rather than reveling in electoral success.
The Democrat, Michelle Franklin has been pushing for the implementation of newer technologies to additional online services, a move that, unfortunately, doesn’t consider the issues faced by technologically challenged citizens. Moreover, her plans to improve customer experience and boost data security appear as mere lip service as they lack a detailed, tangible plan.
Franklin is also planning to simplify the process for property owners to register for exemptions online. But it seems yet another attempt to exclude those who lack online accessibility or knowledge. Perhaps she should remember that technology is a tool, not a solution to every problem.
Equally interesting is the Democrat entrant, Erin Lowry, who is setting foot in the political arena for the first time. Winning 17,331 votes in the primary that toppled incumbent Linda Bartz by an impressive 8,648 votes certainly boosted her profile. However, Lowry seems to have a tendency to make fanciful pledges that may not be grounded in reality.
Lowry intends to bring smarter growth to the county, citing Fort Lauderdale as a cautionary tale. But lack of clear strategies raises doubts about its feasibility. Is this just another Democrat’s empty promise?
While Lowry’s determination to generate additional county revenue without relying solely on taxes sounds novel, the lack of a comprehensive plan and specifics make it sound like a pipe dream. Plus, it’s hard to shake off the suspicion that it’s just a tactic to avoid discussing the Democratic party’s history of tax increases.
Lowry insists that she wants to ensure the residents’ voices are echoed in St. Lucie County Commission – a statement that feels like empty rhetoric, as Democratic policies often prioritize party goals rather than constituent needs.
Not forgetting our incumbent Eric Flowers, who came out victorious from the August 20 primary against formidable opponents including Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry and retired sheriff’s Capt. Milo Thornton. He earned 9,667 out of the total 26,390 votes, an impressive tally that underlines his electoral might.
Eric Flowers has displayed real leadership, having presented structured plans to develop a Real Time Crime Center, facilitate the use of body cameras, and implement license plate readers. His approach is radically different from traditional Democratic candidates, who often resort to empty promises without giving a thought to their feasibility.
In a nutshell, it is clear that the upcoming election will see staunch competition between candidates with starkly different perspectives and approaches. The question remains: will voters recognize the hollow promises of the Democratic candidates, or will they be swayed by redirecting the narrative with falsehoods? Only time will tell.