Four Democrats run for State House District 70 seat. Who will stand out on Aug. 18?
Each of the Democrats running for the Florida State House District 70 seat is running on a similar platform, but one of them has to stand out on Aug. 18.
In a series of forums and debates, each candidate has made the case for why they should succeed state Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg, in a seat that represents parts of Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
No Republicans are running for the seat so the winner of the primary will win the seat.
Who is Keisha Bell?
Keisha Bell, an attorney and community advocate, is making a second attempt at winning the District 70 seat after losing to Newton by about 3,000 votes in 2018. This time around, Bell says she’s focusing in on her passion for the community and an effort to engage voters outside of the ballot box.
“I see my platform as not just a Tallahassee thing. Obviously, you do your job and move legislation, but I also see the platform as an educational tool for people to increase participation,” Bell said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald.
“We can create a force to have people think innovatively about becoming involved in the system,” she added. “District 70 is a unique district and we have so many issues that can be addressed in so many ways.”
Expanding Medicaid will be Bell’s main goal in Tallahassee. Bell, who managed a Federal Community Partnership Grant, says healthcare issues have been near and dear to her heart even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m a big proponent that everyone deserves access to affordable healthcare,” Bell said.
Fighting climate change and improving public education are Bell’s other top priorities. Sea level rise poses a significant threat to District 70, which includes several Tampa Bay area coasts, she said.
In addition to better funding and educational programs for public schools, Bell said she also wants to increase Florida’s green energy usage.
“Environmental justice affects all of us. I want to think outside the box about these things,” said Bell.
Bell has served on several community boards and agencies, including the Pinellas Community Planning and Preservation Board, the Foundation for a Healthy Saint Petersburg’s Board of Trustees and the Florida Association of Women Lawyers Pinellas County Chapter.
Bell has been endorsed by the African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch. To learn more about her campaign, visit www.VoteKeishaBell.com.
Who is Michelle Grimsley?
As a legislative aide to Newton, Michelle Grimsley boasts the closest relationship to the outgoing legislator. They also share many of the same priorities.
In discussing the issues with her fellow candidates, Grimsley said her focus in Tallahassee would be to end the school-to-prison pipeline, which Newton also often spoke against. Newton is stepping down from the Florida Legislature to run for a seat on the Pinellas County Commission instead.
“We need to invest in higher learning and schools,” Grimsley said, suggesting that the state should examine why minority students are often disciplined at a higher rate than other students.
Grimsley also prioritized staying connected with voters. In a forum with the Manatee Tiger Bay Club, she explained that representatives often forget their mission in Tallahassee and fight for their own needs, instead of bargaining for the voters who elected them.
“Being one of the 165 people that runs the state of Florida is magnificent and precious. That will always be on the forefront of my mind,” she said.
Improving access to healthcare, raising the minimum wage and providing more affordable workforce housing are some of Grimsley’s other platform ideas.
Grimsley has been endorsed by Newton and state Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa. To learn more about her campaign, visit www.GrimsleyHD70.com.
Who is Mark Oliver?
Mark Oliver is running for the seat with a focus on healthcare, education and supporting Florida’s disability programs. Working as a personal trainer, Oliver founded the Specially Fit Foundation, a fitness and life coaching organization for individuals with special needs and disabilities.
“I’m running on a platform that is focused on being a voice for the voiceless,” Oliver said. “I’m not a polished politician. I’m not a lawyer. I’m not an attorney. I’m a small business owner who just wants to see our community do better.”
Befriending a child with Down Syndrome became a flashpoint in Oliver’s career. Continuing to mentor and workout with the child changed his outlook on life, he said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald.
“I met a young kid who changed my life. Working with him, I saw his life change. It wasn’t because of me. It was because I gave him an opportunity he never had,” Oliver said. “This race is about showing hope and being anything that you put your mind to.”
Oliver hopes to boost the disabled community by providing more job opportunities, expanding waiver programs and ensuring full inclusion.
“Florida ranks 50th in the nation when it comes to special needs funding, and one in four people with disabilities are registered voters. These are people who have been looked over for far too long,” he said.”
Oliver’s platform also includes paying Florida’s workers a higher minimum wage, improving mental health programs and expanding vocational training.
“College isn’t for everybody. If we teach kids how to learn a trade, such as an electrician apprentice program where you don’t have to have a degree, you can come out of high school making six figures,” said Oliver. “I want to reach children and prepare them.”
In recent debates, Oliver has also advocated expanding Florida’s green energy usage and upgrading the state’s infrastructure.
Oliver has been endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats. To learn more about his campaign, visit www.MarkForFlorida.com.
Who is Michele Rayner?
Criminal defense and civil rights attorney Michele Rayner also has experience working with an elected state representative. She previously worked as a legislative aide to former state Rep. and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-St. Petersburg.
Rayner is one of the attorneys representing Barbara Pinkney’s lawsuit against the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The Bradenton woman was tasered by a deputy three times in what attorneys call excessive use of force. She also represented Markeis McGlockton’s family in a Stand Your Ground case in Clearwater, successfully winning a 20-year sentence for the shooter.
“The work I’ve been doing in Pinellas County and Manatee speaks for itself. Regardless of who’s in power, what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. I’m going to ensure folks’ voices are heard and we’re going to find resolutions to these situations,” Rayner said. “I’m grateful to represent [Pinkney.] What happened to her was unconscionable. I believe it was a miscarriage of justice.”
Rayner’s campaign is centered around providing affordable housing throughout the district, improving access to affordable healthcare and boosting small businesses that are struggling as a result of the pandemic. Those issues, as well as others, need to be tackled at the same time in order to improve everyone’s quality of life, Rayner said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald.
“All of these issues are intersectional,” she explained. “COVID-19 has confirmed a lot of things we’ve been talking about and calling out into the forefront. It hasn’t changed our campaign strategy, but it has cemented that these are issues in District 70.”
“We need wraparound resources,” Rayner added. “Our state is lacking direction and we need to make sure we can provide that direction.”
As a small business owner, Rayner also said she would focus on revamping Florida’s unemployment system, which has experienced several issues during the COVID-19 crisis.
“I’m ready to go on day one. I know what it takes to file a bill and I’m able to do that,” said Rayner. “You have to have an actual community impact. I believe I have it. I know that I have it.”
Rayner has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., state Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who formerly represented District 70 in the House, and the Democratic Progressive Caucus. To learn more about her campaign, visit www.MicheleForFlorida.com.
