Florida House — District 74: Julio Gonzalez

Age: 53

Hometown: Miami

Previous political offices: Incumbent District 74 State Representative

Political party: Republican

Dr. Julio Gonzalez is an attorney, author and orthopaedic surgeon residing in Venice. Born in Miami after his parents fled Cuba’s communist regime in 1961, Gonzalez obtained his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1990.  He served as a flight surgeon with the U.S. Navy from 1990 through 1995 deploying twice aboard the U.S.S. America to Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, Yugoslavia and Somalia. After completing his military service and orthopaedic surgery training, Dr. Gonzalez practiced in Orlando before relocated with his family to Venice.

In 2009, he published a book on health care reform and then attended Stetson University's College of Law while still practicing medicine.  He graduated with honors and earned the University's prestigious Florida Constitutional Law Award.  In 2014, he gained admission to the Florida Bar and was elected State Representative for District 74.  He has recently published his third book, The Federalist Pages, A Constitutional Path to Restoring America's Greatness.

Gonzalez is married to Dr. Gina Arabitg, a gynecologist, with whom he has two daughters, Monica and Jessica.

Why do you think you’re the most qualified candidate for this position?  

I am resolved to protect the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution and Florida’s sovereignty as a state within this great Republic.  I am committed to protecting human life, from conception to natural death, and respecting the importance of Floridians' freedom of conscience and religious liberties in the face an increasingly aggressive state.  

My background as a physician, small-business owner, 12-year resident of our community, lawyer, Florida native, father, husband, and military veteran endows me with unparalleled and unequaled qualities and skills in representing our District.

If elected, what are the top three priorities on which you will focus?

1.  Homelessness;

2. Mental Health/Substance Abuse; 

3. The skyrocketing Workman's Compensation premiums.

What role should the state play in education?

Permissive.  Specifically, the state should foster an environment where the best teachers are given the responsibility of delivering their craft and expertise in as vibrant and rewarding environment as possible while allowing parents to shape the content of the lessons their children receive.  Our public schools ought not to be designed to restrict parents in the rearing of their children, but to assist and supplement them in raising healthy, well educated, and productive adults.  

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the state ought not be in a position to impede or restrict a child's spiritual and faith development.  Unfortunately, this is the reality of our present constitutional interpretation and is one that I, as a legislature and citizen, will work tirelessly to change.

Do you support using tax dollars toward economic incentives to bring businesses to Florida? Why or why not?

The use of state funds to attract businesses represents a slippery slope placing government in the position of selecting winners and losers in the market place.  However, attracting businesses to Florida is beneficial to all Floridians.  Consequently, this tool, if it is to be used, must be employed with great discretion and only when the benefits to our great state vastly outweigh the expense.

Every 10 years, the House speaker, senate president and governor appoint a committee to review the state constitution. That process will begin this year. If you were selected to be on that committee, what changes would you like to see to our constitution?

I would repeal the Blaine Amendment and implement a Notwithstanding Clause.  

What are the three biggest issues facing the state of Florida, and how would you deal with one of them?

1. The economy.  We need to make sure that Florida continues to be a state conducive to industry and innovation.  More than any other, making sure that as many Floridians as possible are gainfully employed through a permissive legislative and economic environment is the single most important step Florida's legislature can take in addressing Florida's societal challenges.  

2.  Preserving our natural resources.  Florida's varied and diverse ecosystem is both fragile and unique.  There are few more important efforts than preserving our beautiful natural treasures for our enjoyment and for our posterity.  How we balance that task with the goal of promoting Florida's economic growth is, of course, the great balancing act that legislators must undertake with great sensitivity and care.

3.  Health care.  Florida's health care system needs to be second to none.  There are so many challenges affecting our health care system and so many improvements that can be made.  Florida's legislature needs to continue to work towards affording greater access and better quality to all of Florida's patients, regardless of their economic backgrounds.