Trent Miller

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Trent Miller completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Miller's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading-bio-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI grew up overseas, the son of parents attached to US Embassies in Africa. These experiences broadened my horizons and gave me a unique appreciation for our great country, including its important place in the world. After getting my undergraduate degree at Syracuse University and my Juris Doctor at The Delaware Law School, I chose Florida to practice law. Settling in District 16 over two decades ago, I've had the privilege of practicing here for the last 22 years in the civil arena and with my lawyer wife Lesa, opened and have run our successful property management company. Our four children Grace, Hope Faith and Chance have all attended Manatee County Public Schools and Florida Public Universities (with Chance a rising senior in high school). Grace graduated from New College and Hope and Faith attend UCF, achieving honors. We founded the Lakewood Ranch Democrats in 2008, have been poll watchers and have remained involved in local politics, supporting Democrats across the region and the country. Raised by churchgoing parents, I was taught right from wrong and to apply logic and common sense to solve problems. I was taught that complex problems require complex solutions and that working with people, even those with whom you disagree, is a crucial part of the democratic process. I was taught to love America and to try to live up to the ideals of our greatest accomplishments, which include those of the greatest generation who fought against fascism and for equality.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading-key-message-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Codifying Roe v. Wade to safeguard women's reproductive healthcare including abortion rights, contraception, and IVF so women are again entrusted with their bodily autonomy.</li><li>Protecting Social Security and Medicare so seniors can retire with dignity and don't have to choose between medicine and food.</li><li>Safeguarding American Democracy and bringing honesty and integrity to Congress so people can trust elected leaders again.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading1-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe working people of District 16 have no voice in the current Congress and they deserve to share in the prosperity that they see being enjoyed by the wealthiest folks in their district. Even as economic indicators improve under the Democratic administration, working families are struggling to pay for necessities and prices aren't coming down, despite corporations posting record profits. The working people of District 16 deserve answers that they're not getting from the Republican party, which remains historically riven by infighting that prevents them from doing the work of the American people.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading2-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHonesty, integrity and accountability are crucial. Many Americans have disparate ideas of what their ideal America looks like and because America remains a melting pot, we embody the best of what the world has to offer. An elected official should work from a core of personal ideals while remaining open to proposals to improve the lives of their constituency. Elected officials are public servants first and they should work to better the lives of the people of their district.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading3-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI value and project the qualities that I admire in others: Confidence, passion, integrity, honesty, empathy, humility and teachability. When afforded elevation to office, I believe that an officeholder must recognize it as the privilege that it is and remain humble. Successful officeholders come from a core of principle, even while remaining willing to adapt and absorb new information and ideas that can help better the lives of the people they serve.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading4-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI remember the tall ships at the bicentennial of 1976 on television and being filled with pride and wonder.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading5-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI love reading, read every night and always deliberately have a book going on my Kindle. I recently read Blood &amp; Treasure, a book about Daniel Boone, the opening of Kentucky and the breaching of the Cumberland Gap. Terrific book, filled with information about the southern front of the American Revolutionary War. I also recently read a modern account of The Alamo, which I enjoyed quite a bit. As for fiction, I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and loved it, reading all the way through a second time. It's very dark, stark and violent, but so evocative that I couldn't put it down. I loved The Hunt For Red October by Tom Clancy and read that one twice too. The Stand by Stephen King is a terrific book, wonderfully imaginative as a dark story well-told. If forced, I would settle on The Road for fiction and perhaps Red Notice for non-fiction, the story of one man's journey through the proverbial wild west of post-communist Russia and the consequences of investing in that arena.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading6-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI'm Not Gonna Miss You by Glenn Campbell\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading7-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI have made no secret of the fact that early in life, like so many, I struggled with alcohol. It has been over three decades since I put that struggle behind me but I would not ignore it or try to bury it because it's a part of the narrative of my life and of my success. I share it not only because it is a part of my story, but because it might serve to encourage others who may at some point in their own lives or the lives of their loved ones felt overwhelmed by those issues. Through honest self-evaluation and accepting help, there is hope for anyone to achieve the kind of successful life that opens the door to service.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading8-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. House of Representatives is unique for being a fundamental part of the working democracy that has stood as a model for democracies formed since. It is uniquely changeable due to its short-term (2 years) structure and therefore uniquely volatile. When it doesn't work properly (as demonstrated by the current majority), the people have the power to change it, turning it over entirely every two years. In that way, it is also uniquely accountable and uniquely representative of the state of the country at large. Finally, being composed of citizen legislators who are consistently accountable, it is intended to allow turnover to compel that accountability.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading9-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWhile it can be beneficial, it's absolutely not necessary. The Constitution seems to envision citizen legislators who remain constantly accountable. While experience, particularly in the law, can be beneficial in understanding the nuts and bolts of writing laws, the art of negotiation extends across industries, intelligence is by no means limited to governmental service or politics and the risks associated with promotion of professional politicians are at least as great as the potential benefits.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading10-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes, two years is the right term length because while it makes representatives essentially constantly run for office, it keeps them accountable to their district.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading11-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI absolutely believe that compromise is necessary for policymaking. I also don't believe that the willingness to compromise represents weakness. Negotiation lies at the heart of good government and the only way for good faith opposition to do the work of the people (which is the job of policymakers) is to be willing to compromise. I will never compromise my ideals, but I would be willing to concede on a policy point I disagree with to arrive at a compromise that achieves a greater good.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading12-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Tampa Bay Times has endorsed me in my primary\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-242837-2024-07-28\" id=\"heading13-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-242837-2024-07-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-242837-2024-07-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-242837-2024-07-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI support financial transparency and governmental accountability, so long as America's interests are protected.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nTrent Miller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Miller's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I grew up overseas, the son of parents attached to US Embassies in Africa. These experiences broadened my horizons and gave me a unique appreciation for our great country, including its important place in the world. After getting my undergraduate degree at Syracuse University and my Juris Doctor at The Delaware Law School, I chose Florida to practice law. Settling in District 16 over two decades ago, I've had the privilege of practicing here for the last 22 years in the civil arena and with my lawyer wife Lesa, opened and have run our successful property management company. Our four children Grace, Hope Faith and Chance have all attended Manatee County Public Schools and Florida Public Universities (with Chance a rising senior in high school). Grace graduated from New College and Hope and Faith attend UCF, achieving honors. We founded the Lakewood Ranch Democrats in 2008, have been poll watchers and have remained involved in local politics, supporting Democrats across the region and the country. Raised by churchgoing parents, I was taught right from wrong and to apply logic and common sense to solve problems. I was taught that complex problems require complex solutions and that working with people, even those with whom you disagree, is a crucial part of the democratic process. I was taught to love America and to try to live up to the ideals of our greatest accomplishments, which include those of the greatest generation who fought against fascism and for equality. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Codifying Roe v. Wade to safeguard women's reproductive healthcare including abortion rights, contraception, and IVF so women are again entrusted with their bodily autonomy. Protecting Social Security and Medicare so seniors can retire with dignity and don't have to choose between medicine and food. Safeguarding American Democracy and bringing honesty and integrity to Congress so people can trust elected leaders again. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? The working people of District 16 have no voice in the current Congress and they deserve to share in the prosperity that they see being enjoyed by the wealthiest folks in their district. Even as economic indicators improve under the Democratic administration, working families are struggling to pay for necessities and prices aren't coming down, despite corporations posting record profits. The working people of District 16 deserve answers that they're not getting from the Republican party, which remains historically riven by infighting that prevents them from doing the work of the American people. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Honesty, integrity and accountability are crucial. Many Americans have disparate ideas of what their ideal America looks like and because America remains a melting pot, we embody the best of what the world has to offer. An elected official should work from a core of personal ideals while remaining open to proposals to improve the lives of their constituency. Elected officials are public servants first and they should work to better the lives of the people of their district. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I value and project the qualities that I admire in others: Confidence, passion, integrity, honesty, empathy, humility and teachability. When afforded elevation to office, I believe that an officeholder must recognize it as the privilege that it is and remain humble. Successful officeholders come from a core of principle, even while remaining willing to adapt and absorb new information and ideas that can help better the lives of the people they serve. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I remember the tall ships at the bicentennial of 1976 on television and being filled with pride and wonder. What is your favorite book? Why? I love reading, read every night and always deliberately have a book going on my Kindle. I recently read Blood & Treasure, a book about Daniel Boone, the opening of Kentucky and the breaching of the Cumberland Gap. Terrific book, filled with information about the southern front of the American Revolutionary War. I also recently read a modern account of The Alamo, which I enjoyed quite a bit. As for fiction, I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and loved it, reading all the way through a second time. It's very dark, stark and violent, but so evocative that I couldn't put it down. I loved The Hunt For Red October by Tom Clancy and read that one twice too. The Stand by Stephen King is a terrific book, wonderfully imaginative as a dark story well-told. If forced, I would settle on The Road for fiction and perhaps Red Notice for non-fiction, the story of one man's journey through the proverbial wild west of post-communist Russia and the consequences of investing in that arena. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? I'm Not Gonna Miss You by Glenn Campbell What is something that has been a struggle in your life? I have made no secret of the fact that early in life, like so many, I struggled with alcohol. It has been over three decades since I put that struggle behind me but I would not ignore it or try to bury it because it's a part of the narrative of my life and of my success. I share it not only because it is a part of my story, but because it might serve to encourage others who may at some point in their own lives or the lives of their loved ones felt overwhelmed by those issues. Through honest self-evaluation and accepting help, there is hope for anyone to achieve the kind of successful life that opens the door to service. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The U.S. House of Representatives is unique for being a fundamental part of the working democracy that has stood as a model for democracies formed since. It is uniquely changeable due to its short-term (2 years) structure and therefore uniquely volatile. When it doesn't work properly (as demonstrated by the current majority), the people have the power to change it, turning it over entirely every two years. In that way, it is also uniquely accountable and uniquely representative of the state of the country at large. Finally, being composed of citizen legislators who are consistently accountable, it is intended to allow turnover to compel that accountability. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? While it can be beneficial, it's absolutely not necessary. The Constitution seems to envision citizen legislators who remain constantly accountable. While experience, particularly in the law, can be beneficial in understanding the nuts and bolts of writing laws, the art of negotiation extends across industries, intelligence is by no means limited to governmental service or politics and the risks associated with promotion of professional politicians are at least as great as the potential benefits. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? Yes, two years is the right term length because while it makes representatives essentially constantly run for office, it keeps them accountable to their district. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? I absolutely believe that compromise is necessary for policymaking. I also don't believe that the willingness to compromise represents weakness. Negotiation lies at the heart of good government and the only way for good faith opposition to do the work of the people (which is the job of policymakers) is to be willing to compromise. I will never compromise my ideals, but I would be willing to concede on a policy point I disagree with to arrive at a compromise that achieves a greater good. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? The Tampa Bay Times has endorsed me in my primary What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? I support financial transparency and governmental accountability, so long as America's interests are protected.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]