Florida House — District 74: Manny Lopez

Age: 65

Hometown: Key West

Previous political offices: Whitney Independent School District School Board

Political party: Democrat 

About: Manny Lopez most recently served as a member of the School Board in Whitney, Texas from 1993 to 1996, during which he also served on the executive board of the Central Texas Economic Development Council for four years.

Lopez served in the U.S. Army, and as a firefighter in the Key West Fire Department. He also taught in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Lopez served as captain of the Sarasota Chalf Festival in Venice and was the emerging leaders chairman on the Sarasota Board of Realtors in 2014.

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

I have excellent experiences in politics and community involvement. I will work for the people as a whole and not extreme special interests or lobbyists. My work experiences are very broad based which allows for great empathy and understanding on many issues and situations. I have the time to serve year round.

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

Infrastructure development: That includes a fiber optic development district, sewage development, solar energy concentration and an emphasis on a living wage.

Healthcare: I want to expand Medicaid, and focus on mental health issues through coordinating training workshops with police departments, medical facilities, hospitals, emergency medical technicians, schools, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Further, push for a North Port Hospital. Legislatures need to break down regulation barriers, and make deals with other legislatures to support a hospital. Look at bringing a children’s hospital in, then expand from it.

Education: Teachers need to stop teaching to the test. We should have vocational training in every high school, provide funding for more counselors, increase teacher pay and increase classroom autonomy. School districts need more autonomy away from the state, and to teach more life skills.

What role should the state play in education? 

Florida should eliminate the Common Core testing and standards and let local districts decide the best approach for their own requirements and standards. 

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

Yes, but with conditions applied like minimum pay scales, number of employees hired totally and a percentage number of employees hired from the local workforce.

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?

Election reforms: Limit the days and money that can be spent on campaigning. And ensure a system where the state has to follow what voters approve on amendment passages.