The District 22 GOP Primary for the open seat in Florida's House of Representatives is Tuesday. The winner will go up against the uncontested Democratic candidate, Jon Paugh, in November.
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Larry Cretul, has served parts of Alachua, Levy and Marion counties for 8 years. Keith Perry, Remzey Samarrai and John Deakins hope to fill the seat when he leaves.
The candidates all agree on what District 22 needs: new jobs created by local businesses rather than the Government, tax reform and making sure the University of Florida stays at the forefront of higher education and medical research.
But Perry, Deakins and Samarrai all have different plans to accomplish these goals and cite their unique backgrounds and skillsets as the reason they're the right person for the job.
Keith Perry said that his background in business makes him most qualified to create jobs in Florida. He said, "In the 39 years that I've owned my company, I've seen all the kind of issues for small businesses that keep us from hiring people. I thought that with the experience I have, I would go to Tallahassee.
Deakins has served on regulatory boards, managed campaigns for two House members and owns his own business in Jacksonville. He said that he has the time to be an effective representative and is ready for service. He said, "I know what service is about...I have served and now I want to go to a higher service and serve the people of Florida."
Ater working in government as Mayor of Micanopy, Special Assistant of Nuclear Affairs with the Bush Administration and in the U.S. Department of State, Remzey Samarrai believes that he's the only person with the experience necessary. He said, "I have the experience, I have the knowledge, I have the education to make a difference in Tallahassee."
The voters will make their choice on Tuesday and it seems like the open seat will be filled by the candidate people feel is most capable of creating jobs in the area.