On June 11-14, Florida District 2 voters will choose a member of the Florida House to replace deceased Rep. Clay Ford. The candidates are Jeremy Lau (D) and Mike Hill (R). Neither has held public office before. Hill is president of the Northwest Florida Tea Party and has refused to debate Lau.
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters held a forum on May 18 in Pensacola to ask questions to both candidates in the Florida House District 2 race.
Mike Hill was a no show.
May 21, again sponsored by the League of Women Voters to be televised on WSRE, the candidates both accepted.
Mike Hill was a no show.
NAACP District 2 Candidate Forum
Mike Hill was a no show.
June 3, Community Town Hall
Mike Hill was a no show.
Strangely, The Pensacola News Journal (PNJ) has endorsed Hill in an article that claimed...
Hill said he would support any measures that make state government more transparent.
Even though Hill, an African-American, skipped out on the NAACP forum, the PNJ reports...
Hill would bring needed diversity to the local delegation, as well as the Republican Party. There are no black Republican legislators in Tallahassee.
In addition to his propensity to avoid contact with voters and his opposition, Mike Hill, president of the Northwest Florida Tea Party, has other negatives. For example, he doesn't even live in the district where he is seeking office. Hill claims he will move before the election, June 11-14.
Hill, a State Farm Insurance agent, claims not to represent special interests, but had raised more than $68,000, as of the last finance reporting date of May 9, much of it from insurance interests (PNJ).
His Democrat opponent, Jeremy Lau, has raised $3,700 and needs our help for a last minute push for the June 11 election.
Jeremy Lau, Democrat
This is Jeremy Lau addressing voters at the League of Women Voters Forum. Hill accepted the invitation, but did not show. Here are the issues Lau would have liked to debate "No Show" Hill on.
Job Growth
Bring new jobs to NorthWest Florida, and secure those that already exist by facilitating an environment which is conducive to business-growth, for companies both large and small. Grow and support existing Employers, vocational training programs, foster community development to welcome and entice new employers.
Education
Ensure our students are gaining the skills needed to compete and excel in a global market. Public schools should be safe places where children can thrive without fear. Empower teachers to teach, fully support our public schools. Experienced educator will stand for Education.
Healthcare
YES TO $51 Billion in Federal ACA funding! Medicaid Expansion, YES to 1900 new district jobs, YES to affordable coverage for all.
Crime
Reduce street crime by improving education, reducing poverty, and reducing joblessness. Approach substance abuse as a public health issue to reduce drug-related crime, overcrowded prisons, and overburdened law enforcement. Secure funding for law enforcement and first responders. Promote a healthy and safe community. Non-violent drug offenders to effective treatment and recovery support programs.
Environment
People harmed by BP should be made whole by BP. Will protect our air, land, and water for generations to come. Bring clean, renewable energy to District 2.
Hill is toxic even to moderate Republicans in our area.Hill's primary opponent, former Gulf Breeze mayor Ed Gray (R), donated $500 to Lau.
Gray, a lifelong Republican, said,
“I vote for the candidate, not the party. I feel like Mr. Lau, first of all, is not owned by the insurance lobby. I feel like he is going to be much more objective. Without a doubt, according to the contributions report, Mr. Hill is owned by the insurance industry.” (PNJ)
If you have a few dollars, please consider donating to Jeremy
here.