Personality, not policy, separates three Democrats vying for Florida House seat

While all three Democrats vying for the Florida State House District 70 seat — Wengay “Newt” Newton, Dan Fiorini and Christopher C.J. Czaia —believe they will win, only one will advance after the Aug. 30 primaries to face Republican Cori Fournier in November.

District 70 is comprised of parts of Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. The incumbent, Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, is running for a seat in the Florida Senate.

Newton is a two-time city of St. Petersburg councilman. Newton believes his experience gives him an edge over his opponents, but it’s his personal story that drew him into politics.

“What catapulted me into politics was the crack houses on my street while I was trying to raise four kids,” said Newton. “People outside of the area used to say, ‘Just don’t drive on that road,’ but that’s hard to do when you live there. There was only two options for me. Either do nothing or do something.”

Newton started anti-drug marches and when he won a spot on the city council, worked with the police department in a community policing program that helped decrease the presence of drug houses.

“These ain’t just speeches to me,” said Newton. “This is real.”

Newton said his first days in Tallahassee, if elected, will be spent getting to know the secretary of juvenile justice.

“The crux of this whole thing is with juveniles and I want to give them an opportunity to find their potential,” he said. “I grew up with a divorced mom and I have no illusions about how I got to where I’m at. A black male in those situations can easily wind up dead or in jail. Tell my why it won’t work and I’ll tell you why it will.”

Newton said he will champion the automatic restoration of civil rights for convicted felons who have completed their sentence.

“When I go to Tallahassee, if you don’t want to give automatic restoration rights, then don’t tax them,” he said. “It’s taxation without representation. They shouldn’t be taxed by anyone they aren’t allowed to vote for.”

Fiorini said Newton’s time on the city council is not enough experience. A former legislative aide, Fiorini has experience working on legislation.

“This is a Democratic district,” Fiorini said. “So I’ll head up to Tallahassee after the primary and get things in motion.”

Fiorini said new representatives think they have time to figure out the lay of the land, but that’s not the case.

“I don’t need to see the layout,” he said. “I already know where the elevators are. The day I’m sworn in, I will already have bills pending to restore funding for Planned Parenthood and the automatic restoration of civil rights to felons who have completed their sentences, as well to make sure there is never any fracking in our state.”

Fiorni said his two opponents are not prepared for the state capital.

“Neither one of my opponents have the background, and we can’t wait a year or two for them to figure out where the elevators are,” he said. “Once you are sworn in a week after the election at the state level, you are put on a committee and expected to vote. There is so much involved that these guys don’t have any idea.”

Czaia has two early goals, if successful in his election bid.

“My whole focus is to bring black and brown together,” Czaia said. “I want to empower the Latino youth and get them into college. My whole thrust has been to bring people to the table and address all who have suffered racism and discrimination.”

Czaia said he will be active in decriminalizing marijuana and other minor crimes, will push for law enforcement oversight and reparations to minority communities. He believes the difference between himself and his two opponents is where they will focus their efforts.

“I’m a Manatee County guy,” he said. “My heart and love is south of the bridge. If folks want to vote for someone with interest in Manatee County, then it’s for me. These other guys are a vote for Pinellas County.”

Czaia said his other goal is to work closely with the LBGTQ community, but at least one staff choice has drawn controversy. Earlier this month, Czaia hired African-American activist “Momma Tee” Lassiter, who has referenced homosexuality as a “sin.”

Days before Lassiter endorsed Czaia, he paid her $1,000 to provide advice on African-American issues, according to the Tampa Bay Times. During a recent debate, Fiorini called Lassiter a “homophobe. You have to look at the company Czaia keeps.”

Lassiter has condemned the LGBTQ community and has referred to them as the, “Devil is alive.”

Czaia said in him, the LGBTQ community will get someone who will hard for them.

“If you live that lifestyle, you shouldn’t be discriminated against,” he said.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Personality, not policy, separates three Democrats vying for Florida House seat."