Who will fill Florida House District 72 seat? Manatee candidates make their pitches
An engineer and a former lawyer are set to face off in a political showdown for the vacant District 72 House of Representatives seat.
Republican William “Bill” Conerly and Democrat Lesa Miller seek to fill the seat left open by former state Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Bradenton, who stepped down at the end of June to become the president of State College of Florida, replacing longtime leader Carol F. Probstfeld.
Conerly, who emerged in August amid a crowded candidate field to secure the Republican nomination with 31% of the vote, believes his background as an engineer will give him the expertise to solve issues related to infrastructure, flooding, affordable housing and more.
“I know many times there’s a focus on the social issues, but that’s not my area of expertise. I have my own opinions related to some, and I’m very conservative, but I think what’s necessary now is someone who has technical expertise and with my background as an engineer, I provide solutions,” Conerly said.
Lesa Miller, a retired lawyer now serving as the chief operating officer for Scout Comics, a Fort Myers publishing company, says her legal background makes her a more qualified candidate as she fights for women’s reproductive rights, education and environmental conservation.
“My opponent likes to point out he’ll be the only engineer in the Florida Legislature, to which I say, ‘But the legislature is all about writing laws.’ So I think a lawyer would be a better fit for the job,” Miller said.
Both are up for election in District 72, which runs across eastern Manatee County into northeastern Sarasota County, from South Bradenton to Myakka City and Duette.
Who is Bill Conerly?
Conerly is a fifth-generation Floridian who served in the U.S. Navy for nearly six years before pursuing a career in engineering. He is the owner and vice president of the engineering firm Kimley-Horn and Associates.
While he is a first-time candidate for state office, Conerly served as a Manatee County Planning Commission member for 12 years. He said he was motivated to run by his love for the area and a belief in what his background brings to the table.
“As a licensed professional engineer, I’ve got a broad spectrum of experiences and I feel like I can help. I love Southwest Florida, I love Manatee County,” Conerly said. “I could live anywhere in the country, but I really like it here and I don’t intend to go anywhere, this is my home and I just want to add value and make it the best place possible to live.”
Conerly said if elected, he believes he can help improve infrastructure beyond what is typically highlighted during campaign cycles, such as roadways. As a civil engineer, Conerly says he would focus on things that are “necessary but aren’t visible,” such as water mains, sewer, wastewater collection and more. He said the recent hurricane season and resulting flooding demonstrate the need for improved water policy.
As someone who served on the Manatee County Planning Commission, Conerly said making houses affordable is also a focus.
“I’m not just talking about tax-credit financed affordable housing, but the missing middle housing for police officers, for nurses, for teachers. That kind of housing is in demand but the supply is short in Manatee, Sarasota County, in Southwest Florida, probably across the entire state and it’s going to be problematic,” Conerly said.
Conerly is also campaigning on giving local sheriffs the power to enforce immigration laws, fighting inflation, granting local government more power, cutting taxes and bringing down home insurance premiums while holding big insurance companies accountable for legitimate claims.
Who is Lesa Miller?
Miller, meanwhile, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for State House District 72. She has lived in Manatee County since 1987 and is a graduate of the University of South Florida and Stetson College of Law.
She is the daughter of two science teachers, which she said instilled a belief in the importance of “education and opportunity.” Miller said she felt compelled to run for office when she saw Florida’s political landscape evolving.
“As a lifelong Democrat in a county where Republican registered voters outnumber registered Democrat voters, I feel like it’s easy to get discouraged and feel like there’s no way to make a difference in the way I view the world, but as I say sometimes you’ve got to, not get off the couch, but get off the sidelines and stand for what you believe in,” Miller said.
One of the ways Miller hopes to make a difference is by fighting for women’s reproductive rights and healthcare, which she called a “massive issue” that “galvanized” her decision to run.
“To think that my daughters have fewer rights over their bodies than even my mother did,” Miller said.
Miller has been a major supporter of Florida’s Amendment 4 “Right to Abortion Initiative,” but also added that it’s not enough for constituents to vote on the amendments they support, adding that people must vote down the ballot for the politicians who will implement them.
Miller is also running on veterans’ healthcare, home insurance access and care, environmental conservation and education. She has emphasized the importance of protecting coastlines with their vulnerability to hurricanes and rising sea levels and pushed for new environmental policies.
As the daughter of educators, Miller said she would also work to reverse some of Florida’s controversial changes in public schools.
Campaign finance records show that Conerly has outraised Miller by a large margin. The Republican attracted nearly $180,000 in donations, while Miller raised just under $10,000, according to public records
Conerly and Miller face off in the Nov. 5 general election. The winner will serve a two-year term in the Florida House of Representatives.
