With House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, facing term limits in 2014, a major Democratic candidate filed his paperwork to launch a bid to replace him in representing parts of Broward County.
On Thursday, Levoyd Williams, who serves on the Lauderdale Lakes City Commission, launched his bid for the Florida House. Williams, who has been active with both the county and the state League of Cities, spoke to Sunshine State News on Friday on what he hopes to highlight on both the campaign trail and if elected in 2014.
Williams said he plans to focus on education and called for more funding for Floridas schools. He also said Florida schools needed to stop being driven by assessments. We need to take the emphasis off of testing and put in on achievement, he said.
Turning to transportation, Williams told Sunshine State News he called for more infrastructure. He bemoaned Floridas lack of mass transportation, pointing to Miami-Dade as one of the few areas in the state he felt had an adequate system. Williams said he would fight for more funding for Floridas bridges and roads if he is elected to serve in the House.
Noting that he was originally from the Panhandle, Williams called for more commitment to agriculture. It helps our state economy, he said.
Williams said he was committed to expanding tourism in Florida. If elected, Williams said he would fight to increase access and safety for tourists which he feels will help Floridas economy and grow that industry.
But Williams does not have an open shot at the Democratic nomination. Back in November, Jimmy "O Glory'' Witherspoon, who made a bid for the Fort Lauderdale City Commission in 2008, filed his paperwork to enter the race.
Witherspon, a minister who is also a high school adviser, spoke to Sunshine State News on Friday on why he is running for the Florida House and stressed his commitment to the district.
Im a product of the neighborhood and I have a passion for the people of the neighborhood, he said, pointing to his involvement in the community including working with a number of local groups. I believe its time to take it to another level, he said, promising to be a big voice, a loud voice for the district in Tallahassee.
Witherspoon called for more education funding, including higher salaries for teachers. Noting the high crime rate and unemployment in the district, Witherspoon also promised to help restore rights and fight for economic opportunities and small-business growth.
Witherspoon praised his team and said he was looking forward to working with people across his district. Together we make great things happen, he said.
While Witherspoon has been active on the grassroots level, he has little to show, so far, in terms of fundraising. So far in the campaign, Witherspoon has raised $534, all of which he raised in the second quarter of 2013 and kept on-hand.
Whoever emerges in the Democratic primary in this contest should be heading to Tallahassee. This is one of the most Democratic districts in the state with 68 percent of voters belonging to that party while only 14 percent are registered Republicans. Back in 2010, Alex Sink cruised in this district, taking 81 percent of the vote while Rick Scott mustered up 18 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-3722.
