These are my picks as a progressive who is heavily involved in politics in the Sunshine State. I do not speak for DailyKos, although I think the good people here would agree with my decision to support Democrats up and down the ballot.
Everyone should have their sample ballots by now. Regardless, take a trip with me down the ballot for my picks for Prez, Senate, Congress, Amendments, and so forth...
President: HILLARY CLINTON
If I have to explain why we need to ensure her victory to prevent a Donald Trump presidency by now, you are too dumb to listen to reason.
U.S. Senate: PATRICK MURPHY
Well, Patrick Murphy has been endorsed by EVERY major city newspaper in Florida. Lil Marco Rubio hates his job and all but said he is only running just to try for president again in 2020. He had the audacity to stand on the blood stained streets of Pulse to announce that that was the reason he was running, although he is the most anti-gay, anti-gun candidate in the Senate. Furthermore, just this week, he reaffirmed his support for sexual predator Donald Trump.
Marco Rubio has Koch money pouring into the state. I have been flooded with mailers and web ads telling me how awful Patrick Murphy is because he exaggerated his resume or some such nonsense --(which Politifact rates as False). Despite the vicious lies and money imbalance, Patrick Murphy is currently even with Rubio in the latest two polls. Florida deserves to have someone good in this Senate seat for a change.
Congressional District 7: STEPHANIE MURPHY
This is the most tossiest of toss-ups right now, and two recent polls show Stephanie Murphy leading John Mica in his biggest fight yet. This is a fair district thanks to the Supreme Court re-districting. The Democrats put up a dream candidate: progressive, educator, scholar, business owner, refugee, and an award-winning national security specialist. She goes up against the 12-term, Trump-supporting rightwing extremist John Mica. John Mica is so revolting that he took money from NRA two days after the Pulse shooting to show the NRA that they did still owned him. The Pulse Fund has been hounding him on this (and note they used my article on DKos in their ad).
Don’t just vote—donate and volunteer to turn CD-7 blue.
Other Congressional, State Legislator, Tax Collector, and County Commissioner races: DEM
I'll make the rest easy. All Congressional, State Legislators, Tax Collectors, and County Commissioners have to identify as DEM or REP.
Vote Democrat up and down the ticket. There is no one this year who is running as a Democrat who is repulsive—otherwise, I'd point that person out.
I can't stress enough the damage that the GOP has done and is doing to this state. We are gerrymandered enough that the best we can hope for is to provide enough Democrats to give some sort of balance to Rick Scott’s/Pam Bondi’s destruction of our state. Turns out, putting criminals in charge was a not a good idea.
Nonetheless, there are over 20 Congressional Districts that, thanks to the Supreme Court’s re-districting, are competitive. I gave a rundown earlier this year of each one. Back then we had 10+ districts, now we have more than 20. Below is the full list of the competitive races in Florida for 2016:
Get involved. They all need canvassers, callers, and donations these final few days. At least be willing to display a yard sign or bumper sticker.
(* marks the competitive races according to the Cook Report. Cook is good, but they are well behind the curve on a lot of these races that have opened up since the Trump drag):
Vote Democratic on ALL the state legislative races. There are too many to list. You can always visit 90for90.org for links to all the races, as well as the state parties and several left-leaning organizations. (And not just Florida.)
(I can personally attest to the awesomeness of the following State House candidates: District 21: Marihelen Wheeler District 30: Ryan Neal Yada, and District 53: Dennis Kearns. And Democrats have prioritized the State Senate race for District 8 as a must-win for Rod Smith.)
If there is no DEM running, and the choice is between a REP and an NPA, go for the NPA--even if the NPA is a libertarian. They likely won't win but at least if it's at all close the GOP will be forced to spend money next cycle.
If it's between a REP and a non-existent write-in candidate, write-in BATMAN. You can always count on Batman.
AMENDMENT 1: NO NO NO NO!!!
This is the most deceptively worded constitutional amendment in over a decade. It is titled "Rights of Electricity Regarding Solar Energy Choice". The website for it makes it seem like it's for solar power. The utility companies spent over $21 million to try to pass it. WHY is that?
The first line of the Amendment sounds great: It says that Florida citizens have the right to install solar equipment. Yeah--we already have that right. It's put there just to fool you.
The second line is where the problem is. It says that state and local governments (re: utilities) have the right to ensure that people who install solar panels aren't "subsidizing" other's access to the grid. What this means, in plain English, is that people who install solar panels WILL STILL have to pay utility companies even if they get their power from the sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now do you see why the utility companies spent so much money on this thing?
AMENDMENT 2: YES!!
This is silly. Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions. Why is anyone with a functioning brain opposed to this? My friend's best friend recently passed away. She was prescribed Opium for the pain. FREAKING OPIUM! So the doctor wasn't allowed to prescribe marijuana, but was allowed to jump 10 levels and prescribe opium. End this madness.
AMENDMENTS 3 and 4: No opinion.
These are tax exemptions for first responders and senior, low-income residents respectively. There is no deceptive trick to either one of these. Both are worthy, and county Democratic parties across the state are recommending yes votes. However, there are many groups out there that you can argue deserve tax breaks. This has to do with your personal views on taxation. Both are likely to pass easily. I will probably vote yes as well, but I am not as passionate with these amendments as I am with the other items on the ballot.
Supreme Court Justice Retention: NO Canady, YES Polston, YES Labarga
Florida gets this right. The Governor appoints the Justices, but the public gets a vote on their retention. Just imagine if the US Supreme Court Justices had some accountability---even if the accountability was 60% or 75% supermajority threshold on whether or not to retain their position. It is doubtful that horribly unqualified people like Clarence Thomas would still be there.
All three Justices on the ballot this time are conservatives who were appointed by the previous GOP governor. The issue is that if any of them were to lose, the godawful Rick Scott would pick their replacement. For that reason alone, you should consider YES on retention.
The only exception I have would be Charles T. Canady, because you can’t get much worse than him anyway. He was the Justice responsible for the phony term “partial-birth abortion", which he coined in 1995 to name a law banning late-term abortions in order to make them sound as reprehensible as possible.
District Court of Appeals Judge Retention: YES on all
Same deal. If any of them lose, Rick Scott appoints their successor. They won’t be better but I can pretty much guarantee that they will be worse.
18th Circuit Judge, Group 9: CHRISTINA SANCHEZ
Christina Sanchez is a Democrat. She was endorsed by the Sentinel. Great resume of active community service and a great lawyer.
Other Judges:
My opinion after watching their debates on YouTube:
- 9th Circuit, Group 4: Joseph Haynes Davis, Esq.
- 9th Circuit, Group 14: Elizabeth DeYoung
- 18th Circuit, Group 9: Bob Moletteire
(Note—the Orlando Sentinel agrees with my choice of Christina Sanchez and Bob Moletteire, but thinks 9th, Group 4 should go to Luis Calderon, and thinks 9th, Group 14 should go to Rick Scott appointee Dan Traver.)
Soil and Water Candidates: No Opinion, but...
Generally, I have no opinion on soil and water candidates.
In my own district, I am going for a man named David Mahnken because he is actually a scientist and he opposes Amendment 1.
In District 1, Maria Bolton-Jouber is a good progressive that comes recommended for her anti-fracking stances.
A quick google search can tell you about each candidate. Here’s the rub: If a soil/water candidate has any relation to Rick Scott, I run the other way. Our water is clogged with toxic algae because of the Rick Scott republicans who have allowed record-breaking pollutants into our water from sewage treatment plants, dry cleaners, pulp plants and now—fracking.
In fact, if any candidate in any race has a relation to Rick Scott, or brags about being a “fiscal conservative”—(Which is code for gutting regulations that protect us and our environment, but will have no qualms about pouring money into special interest projects), or anything about “2nd Amendment” or “gun rights”—(Which means opposition to any common sense gun laws like background checks), or is pro-Amendment 1, you probably need to look into voting for their opponent.
And that’s the list.
Other recommendations? Comments? Leave them below…..