By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY - Voters will soon decide who their local voice will be in newly established District 55.
With redistricting imposed by the United States census, boundaries were changed and renumbered.
St. Lucie County is now part of a larger district, District 55, and the race has comes down to Cary Pigman and Crystal Drake.
Hometown News asked the candidates the same questions about their campaign. Their answers are below in alphabetical order.
Hometown News does not endorse any candidates for political office, but instead provides information about each candidate for voters to make an educated decision.
Name: Crystal Drake
Lives in: Moore Haven in Glades County
Family: Husband, J.W., two children and four grandchildren
Name: Cary Pigman
Lives in: Highlands County
Family: Wife, Darlene, six children and two grandchildren
Q: Why should voters choose you?
Drake: Because I am one of them, a concerned citizen, not part of the political party's "who's who."
Pigman: I am neither a career nor professional politician, nor do I strive to become one. I am running because I, like most Floridians, believe in term limits for our legislators. I feel that our representative should be an individual from business, agriculture or the professions who offer to contribute a portion of his or her professional career to serve their district, a citizen-politician. If he or she is so blessed as to be elected, and so qualified as to be re-elected, then when the tour of duty is complete, they return home and resume their professional career. I believe that is a wonderfully powerful incentive to do what is right for your home district.
Q: What do you feel are the two most important issues that face the residents of St. Lucie County?
Drake: I believe education is the most important issue, not only in St. Lucie County, but in the entire District 55 and the state of Florida. I also believe that water issues are critical to the future of Florida.
Pigman: The two most important issues for the district are insuring that agriculture remains vibrant and grows, and having job creation by sustaining and enhancing an environment that supports small and large businesses, and invites new businesses.
Q: If you could, what would be the one thing you would change in your area, and why?
Drake: I would change the political party polarization in Florida and in our district. I am running as a conservative Democrat, and am receiving support from both political parties from folks who know me personally, because they know I am concerned about our beloved state and have no political ambitions. But many people will not even give me a chance or second thought because of my political party. I wish people would vote for the person and not the political party affiliation. There are good people in both of the major parties that want to help.
Pigman: I want to create a regulatory environment that answers the needs of those who seek protection, but is not so oppressive as to strangle those being regulated.