Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 10-7-22

The Sentinel Editorial Board’s Recommendations For November 2022 Election
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
― Barack Obama
The Sentinel Board normally meets face-to-face with the majority of candi- dates, however we decided to continue to send most of the candidates specific questions to help us determine who to endorse. We also polled community lead- ers and Black elected officials to help us make the best decisions. On that note, we would like to thank everyone who assisted us.
With all the help, WE must all do our part and forge ahead and understand that every VOTE, is important.
We are encouraging everyone to make some noise by voting for the candi- dates of YOUR choice. Understanding that by doing so, makes you the most pow- erful person on earth. Mainly because YOUR one (1) vote could determine who wins or loses an election.
Look around, if you like what you see, then find an excuse not to be present and be counted... but if you don’t, then be a part of the process of CHANGE. ‘In- credible change happens when you decide to take control of what you do have power over’. You have the power to hold future and present politicians account- able for their actions.
In this election cycle, the offices these candidates are vying for affect the lives of your family, friends and our communities as a whole.
There are numerous offices of government in this November election cycle which include: Congress, Governor, State Attorney General, State CFO, State Senator and Representative, County Commission, School Board, judgeships and an amendment about transportation. These people control budgets, control pol- icy, and decide whether you get fair justice or NOT. They make decisions in the U. S. government, Tallahassee and Hillsborough County.
The November election is crucial, so please vote.
Part 1
U. S. Senator
You will see 5 candidates running for this office on your ballot, however, this race will be between incumbent senator Marco Rubio and Democratic star Val Demings.
Rubio has been labeled a Trump doormat in many conversations, and is said to move only when his rich backers call on him. That part doesn’t even ring true, because Rubio has been known to not show up to vote on key issues that affect the people he was elected to serve.
Val Demings on the other hand, was raised by parents who worked minimal jobs to support her. She was the first in her family to go to college, worked as a social worker, became a police officer who rose to the position of the first Black woman Chief in the Orlando police department and ran successful for congress. She is a wife, mother and grandmother. Val Demings’ life experiences give her a perspective that Rubio has no clue about. She will serve our state well and de- serves our vote. Demings has the name recognition, the reputation and the heart to challenge the Red machine that hopes to keep Rubio in office.
The Sentinel Endorses Val Demings
Representative In Congress District 14
Kathy Castor is the incumbent for this seat. She was elected in 2006 and has served on various committees. She was also instrumental in getting the Mary McLeod Bethune statute placed in the nation’s capitol to represent the State of Florida.
The Sentinel Endorses Kathy Castor
Representative In Congress District 15
Democrat Alan Cohn is throwing his hat in the ring again for this seat. He faces former Sec. of State and Judge Laurel Lee. Cohn is a former television jour- nalist who became a business owner. Lee is a Republican with strong ties to Gov. DeSantis and Rick Scott. The only way Cohn can win is if Democrats vote in large numbers.
The Sentinel Endorses Alan Cohn
Representative In Congress District 16
Called a “wonk” and a “wonk with heart,” according to her website Jan Schneider will have her work cut out for her to beat incumbent Vern Buchanan.
Active in local and international politics the Yale Law graduate, is accustomed to dealing with issues across the board. She will serve the people of the Florida’s 16th Congressional District with intelligence, dedication and compassion.
The Sentinel Endorses Jan Schneider
Governor
If you don’t know that Gov. Ron DeSantis is bad for Florida and our commu- nity as a whole, then let us share a few things that have hit home. He kicked our elected State Attorney out of office under false pretenses; he sent brown skinned immigrants to Democratic cities for another state on our dime; bullied school children about being WOKE; has not supported classroom teachers and public education; has not dealt with much of anything that plagues Floridians including insurance, transportation and climate change (Hurricane Ian). His entire time as governor, he has been positioning himself to run for president as a meaner Trump, Jr.
Charlie Crist on the other hand, has done the job of being governor before. Crist was a Republican then, but was open to doing what was best for all.
The Sentinel Endorses Charlie Crist
Attorney General
Ashley Moody is a hometown product who served as a judge locally before running for Attorney General. Her family is well known in Hillsborough County and her reputation while here was positive. However, some legal folks in our community feel she has taken stands against the people that leaned more to- wards being a staunch conservative and party supporter than an administrator of fair justice. Aramis Ayala is a Black woman that has fought against many odds to rise to high levels in the law arena. Our Board does not only support Black or Democratic candidates, we however listen to those who know the fields best and have proven to be the best fit for our community.
The Sentinel Endores Aramis Ayala
Chief Financial Officer
We support the Democrat. This is the position that handles the state finances.
The Sentinel Endorses Adam Hatttersley
Commissioner Of Agriculture
We support the Democrat.
The Sentinel Endorses Naomi Ester Blemur
State Senator District 14
Janet Cruz has a fight on her hands to keep her seat. The reason is because the Republican Party has pushed lots of money into this once Republican con- trolled seat for its candidate. Cruz has done as much as humanly possible in a Republican controlled state senate.
The Sentinel Endorses Janet Cruz
State Senator District 16
Darrell Rouson has gotten things done in ways that some people don’t agree with, however, getting the job done by ‘any means necessary’ is what it takes at times. His methods have brought dollars to our community. His opponent is running against him for the second time. With redistricting, the incumbent sen- ator, an attorney, knows his way around the Capitol. His opponent, Christina Paylan is a plastic surgeon who’s is running as a Republican this time and not an Independent, as she did in the last election cycle. In the last campaign she leaned very heavily towards the Republican doctrine, do her change in party makes sense. Listing her political inspirations were Congressman Matt Gaetz and Ron DeSantis, this in itself should raise eyebrows. This seat has traditionally been held by a Black person, and it should not change.
The Sentinel Endorses Darryl Rouson
State Senator District 23
We support the Democrat for this seat. The consensus is we have to push to change the Republican driven state legislature.
The Sentinel Endorses Mike Harvey
Part 2 in next week’s edition. It will include the cut-out for voting.
Election Endorsements
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 5-A