Debate offers glimpse into District 67 campaigns (WITH VIDEO)

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The four contenders for the Florida House of Representatives District 67 seat came together for the first time in the East County during a debate June 23 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Republicans Jeremiah Guccione, Dr. Robert “Bob” McCann and Greg Steube and Democrat Z.J. Hafeez shared their thoughts on topics such as offshore drilling, the class-size amendment and redistricting during the two-hour event hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Civic Action Forum.

Candidates first tackled the issue of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and alternative energy.

Hafeez, a resident of Apollo Beach, said the state of Florida should be committed to finding safe and sustainable ways to drill oil and possibly use revenues from it to help fund the state budget. Florida also should focus on the development of alternative energy such as solar power, he said.

“We could be leaders,” he said. “We could create jobs.”

Steube said he supported offshore drilling if it can be shown to be safe and did not have an impact on Florida’s tourism industry. He and McCann both emphasized Florida’s need to look into alternative energy sources.

When pressed about education, all four candidates indicated Florida’s school systems are critical to the state’s success.

Guccione called education a “three-legged stool” comprising students, parents and teachers. Encouraging more parental involvement, he said, is critical for improving Florida’s educational system. He and the other Republicans said class size is important but were not convinced the class-size amendment is the best solution for improvement.

McCann said rather than focusing on numbers, education should be student oriented and that class sizes should be determined on the local level.

Hafeez disagreed, arguing that class size has been proven to make a difference in the quality of a child’s education.

“I believe firmly we in the state of Florida need to put education first,” he said. “There are lots of studies out there that prove class size matters. America is the land of equal opportunity. We should have small classes for all our kids.”

On the creation of jobs and improving the economy, Guccione and Steube said making it easier to do business in Florida is critical for improving the economy. Eliminating duplicate regulation is a necessity, they said.

“Florida should be known as a friendly place to do business,” Guccione said. “That’s the focus of my campaign. (We need to do) what we’re good at — energy, aging and aerospace.”

McCann said the free market should dictate how business is conducted in the area, and Hafeez said Florida should diversify its economy, particularly by investing in alternative energy.
 
RESIDENT FEEDBACK
East County residents who attended the debate said hearing candidates share their campaigns and respond to questions proved beneficial.

“It helped me understand what they stand for,” Lakewood Ranch resident Steve Vernon said. “Websites are propaganda. They’re in favor of themselves. A candidate forum like this is impromptu. It’s not rehearsed.”

Mill Creek resident Mary Duda and Lakewood Ranch resident Sheila Noyes, who came to support Hafeez, said the debate gave them insight for which Republican candidate they would support should Hafeez lose.
Guccione, McCann and Steube will face off in the Aug. 24 primary before challenging Hafeez, the lone Democrat, in the Nov. 2 general election.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

CANDIDATE CLOSE-UP
Jeremiah Guccione, Republican, Bradenton
Quote from intro: “I’m running for the same reasons that I’m Republican. That’s because I believe in low taxes, less government, personal responsibility and free enterprise. I want a government that protects and defends the Constitution and its citizens first and foremost, but after that I want the government to give me and everybody else as much individual freedom and encourage people to take as much personal responsibility as possible.”
Website: www.guccioneforhouse67.com

Z.J. Hafeez, Democrat, Apollo Beach
Quote from intro: “When I came back to my community (from working in Geneva), I saw things had changed in many ways. The American dream my family was able to attain for itself was being less achievable for many of my fellow citizens. I decided then and there it was going to be my chance to run and make a difference to make this a better state and a better country for all Floridians and all Americans.”
Website: www.votezj.com

Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ McCann, Republican, Bradenton
Quote from intro: “When I go to Tallahassee, all our voices will be heard. I’m not going there with my own agenda. I’m going there with ours. We don’t need to expand government. We don’t need to expand more levels of government. We don’t need to expand taxes. We need to lower taxes.”
Website: www.bobmccann.org

Greg Steube, Republican, Bradenton
Quote from intro: “I (want to use) the background and experience I have in agriculture, which is very important to this district, use my experience in law, use my experience having worked in legislative process and using my experience in the military to help me represent this area the best I can. I hope to use those skills for each and every single one of you.”
Website: www.electgregsteube.com