Charter Review Board District 5: Andrew Sias

Age: 67

Current occupation: Telecommunications. 

Sarasota County residency: 24 years. 

Why are you running for election?

I am running for Charter Review because I have always believed that public service begins with putting the needs of the community first. Serving others isn't something I do during election season, it's how I've lived my life

Over the years, I've been actively involved in Kiwanis, supporting our Art Center, and every year for my birthday I've organized a drive to provide socks and underwear for underprivileged children. These are just a few examples of my commitment to giving back. Helping others has always been my nature, and serving on the Charter Review Committee is another opportunity to continue that commitment. 

I have also always believed in limited government and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. As President Ronald Regan said, "We don't have debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much." The principle behind those words remains true today: government should live within its means and be accountable to the people. 

I view our city charter as our community's constitution. It establishes the framework for our local government, protects the rights of our citizens, and ensures that power remains accountable to the people it serves. If elected to the Charter Review Committee, I will work diligently to preserve the integrity of our charter, safeguard the rights of our citizens, and recommend changes only when they strengthen transparency, accountability and limited government. 

My commitment has always been to this community — not to politics, but to people. That is why I am running, and that is how I will serve. 

What qualifies you to be a Charter Review Board member?

I've always believed that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be protected, defended, and passed on — deliberately — to those who come after us. That's why I'm stepping forward for charter review. 

I graduated magna cum laude in history, and that foundation matters. It taught me that our Constitution — and our local charter — are not just documents. They are promises. Promises that must be honored, guarded, and strengthened. I am a constitutional conservative, and I carry that commitment into every decision I make. 

I've worked on DeSantis's campaign, President Trump's campaign, and every major conservative effort because I believe deeply in the principles that built this country: limited government, individual liberty, and accountability to the people. I'm a lifelong Republican conservative, and I've never wavered in my dedication to those values. 

But most importantly, I have always put the citizens of Sarasota above all else. Your rights, your voice, your future — that's what guides me. I don't answer to political pressure. I answer to you. 

The charter is the backbone of our local government. It deserves someone who understands its history, respects its purpose, and will defend it with unwavering resolve. I am ready to go day one, prepared, principled, and committed to protecting the charter so it continues to serve the people — not the politicians. 

As Ronald Reagan reminded us, "If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to.' I intend to make sure Sarasota never has to. 

What makes you the best candidate? 

A free people deserve a government that honors both it laws and its premises. That is why I am seeking to serve on the Sarasota County Charter Review Board. 

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in history, graduating magna cum laude, providing me with a strong foundation in constitutional principles, the evolution of government, and the importance of preserving the rule of law.

My qualifications extend beyond the classroom. I previously had the honor of successfully chairing the city of North Port Charter Review Committee, where I worked diligently to ensure the city's charter remained faithful to its purpose while meeting the needs of the community. 

I view our county charter as our local constitution — a document that safeguards the rights of our citizens, defines the responsibilities of government, and preserves the principles upon which our community is built. It is not a document to be altered lightly, but one to be protected with wisdom, restraint and respect. 

If entrusted with this responsibility, I will serve with integrity, uphold the charter faithfully, protect its purpose, and always place the interest of the people of Sarasota County above all else. 

What, if anything, needs to be updated or changed in the county charter? Why?

The charter should be reviewed and updated to reflect recent court decisions that have rendered portions of it unconstitutional. One example is the Beach Road court case, which demonstrates the need to revise or reword certain provisions, so they comply with current constitutional standards. 

Going forward, one of the Charter Review Board's most important responsibilities is to ensure that any proposed amendments are consistent with both the Florida and U.S. constitutions and are likely to withstand judicial review. By carefully evaluating proposed changes before they are adopted, we can reduce the risk of costly legal challenges, protect taxpayers from unnecessary litigation, and preserve the integrity of our charter while maintaining the principles of home rule. 

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term?

 Maintain integrity: Integrity is my highest priority. My commitment is to ensure that both the charter and my own service are guided by honesty, transparency, and accountability. Every recommendation I make will be based on what is best for the citizens of Sarasota County, not politics or special interests. The charter should be a document that earns and keeps the public's trust.

Listen to the citizens: The Charter Review process should not begin and end in the board room.. It belongs to the people. I have already begun meeting with citizens over coffee to hear their ideas, concerns, and suggestions, and I will continue doing so throughout my service if elected. As the saying goes, God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason — we should spend more time listening than talking. The best charter is one that reflects the voices of the people it serves. 

Defend home rule: One of the most important responsibilities of the Charter Review Board is to help preserve local self-government. Too often, the state of Florida has limited the authority of counties and municipalities through pre-emption, weakening the principle of home rule. I will use this position to engage with our state representatives and advocate our community should, whenever possible, be made by the people who live here — not by distant officials in Tallahassee. 

Where do you stand: Should the Charter Review Board be proactive in initiating changes to the charter, or should the board make recommendations based on voter desires and ideas brought to the board?

The job of the Charter Review Board is to be responsive to the voices of the citizens of Sarasota County. That is our sacred responsibility. The charter belongs to the people, and those entrusted with reviewing it must ensure that the public's ideas, concerns, and priorities are heard and thoughtfully considered, 

At the same time, it is our duty to ensure that any proposed changes can withstand constitutional scrutiny and legal challenges at the local, state, and federal levels. Good governance requires not only listening to the people but also protecting their intent within the framework of the law. 

This is especially important today because Florida has seen an increasing erosion of home rule. Too often, decisions that should be made by local communities are preempted by the state. One of the charter's most important purposes is to preserve and protect local self- government whenever possible. The Charter Review Board must reman vigilant in defending Sarasota County's ability to govern itself while ensuring that the charter remains legally sound, effective, and faithful to the will of its citizens.