Heather Heyer’s last post on Facebook before she was run down by a white supremacist in Charlottesville, VA simply stated, “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” Since I moved to Florida roughly seven years ago, I watched Polk county’s growth explode. Yet the regular people in the county have been left behind. Citizens of goodwill are outraged by this. Why should just a few well-connected people reap the rewards of this growth, while people in Haines City go hungry, people in Davenport are stuck in endless traffic, and folks in Winter Haven grapple with not being able to afford to live in the community they love?
But the problems of these communities are not just localized, they’re statewide and reflect national issues as well. My district, HD 41, is located next to the world famous theme parks and is the belt buckle of the I-4 corridor, which for those unfamiliar, is where elections in Florida are decided. The reason why Republicans have a trifecta in Florida’s government is because Republicans control the I-4 corridor. If Republicans were doing a great job, no one would be complaining.
Yet nearly 25% of Polk county goes to bed hungry.
The average housing cost in Polk county is roughly $2,000 per month, with the average gross monthly income in Polk county being $2,500 per month.
Teachers in Polk county do God’s work for less than a living wage, with outdated materials, and in crumbling classrooms swelling with students.
Instead of improving the existing roads, the state wants to spend double the money on a Toll Road to Nowhere.
And yet, we’re told that Florida is prosperous. Maybe in a fantasy world found in those nearby theme parks, it is.
The common denominator is Florida’s Republican trifecta. It’s too easy for Republicans to pass bad legislation. Their 20 year trifecta shows how well practiced they are. Republicans have made it easy to contaminate Florida’s groundwater, they’ve ignored the people on Amendment 4, they’ve created an education system where teachers compete for advanced classes because Republicans passed laws penalizing teachers who’ve spent their life working with ESE students, the list goes on.
The problems are clear to all Floridians, and really, all Americans. There’s a reason why Florida is the butt of so many jokes to those who don’t live here, and a Governor who can’t properly put on a mask doesn’t help.
But now the question becomes why should people be interested in Democrats, specifically Democrats in a county that hasn’t voted for a Democratic candidate for President since 1976?
Well, the numbers tell an interesting story.
Did you know that in 2018 Democrats were 35.2% of Polk’s active voters? Republicans are 35.7%. The remaining third of voters are independents or belong to minor parties. This means elections in Polk county are decided in the middle. Republicans for years have run like they’re centrists yet they govern as far right ideologues, insensitive and indifferent to the struggles of folks who put in a hard eight hours.
HD 41 is the keystone to flipping Polk blue. In 2016 and 2012, this house seat was decided by less than 5 points. Since 2016, Democratic registrations exceeded Republicans. Therefore, flip HD 41, flip Florida.
As the Democratic nominee for HD 41, my goal is to be the people’s advocate - all the people. Not just the well connected. My husband and I made our home here because we love this community, and this community deserves someone who will fiercely advocate for it in Tallahassee.
It’s time to flip Florida blue, and that starts with flipping Polk county and HD 41. Help me help the people of my district by donating via the link below.
secure.actblue.com/…
You can also find me on Twitter at Twitter.com/JaredForFlorida
Facebook.com/JaredForFlorida or visit my website https://jaredwestforflorida.com