While most eyes will be on what is shaping up to be an interesting battle between two veterans of the Florida House -- Terry Fields and Audrey Gibson -- for the Democratic nomination to replace term-limited state Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, a third candidate has emerged in the race vowing to fight for open carry laws and to enforce immigration laws while opposing pension reform for state employees.
John Strifler, a Jacksonville resident who has worked for the state government, filed to enter the race last month. Upset with Republicans and Democrats alike, Strifler is running with no party affiliation for the seat which currently includes parts of Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties. With the Legislature starting the redistricting process at the beginning of 2012, the geographic boundaries of the seat could be changed.
"I am a common man of the people, for the people, said Strifler on Tuesday. As such, I hope to work hard for the actual residents of the district, rather than those of limited-focus lobbying groups and special interests, who sometimes work against the best interests and the rights of the citizens."
Strifler is up in arms about the Legislatures failure to pass SB 234, a measure which would have restored open carry rights in Florida. While more than 40 other states currently have open carry laws, attempts in Florida to push the open carry law fizzled during the 2011 session.
At the start of the session, with Gov. Rick Scott supporting them and with Republicans controlling overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, Second Amendment advocates had been very optimistic about restoring open carry rights to Florida. However, the final legislation that emerged at the end of the session only concerned decriminalizing accidental concealed weapon exposures -- a measure that even its House sponsor, Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, said was watered down from the original version.
Besides pushing for open carry laws, Strifler may appeal to conservatives on a number of issues. He backs comprehensive immigration reform including more effective enforcement of existing immigration laws. Strifler also maintains that the governmentneeds to ease restrictions that hurt small businesses across the Sunshine State. He is also pro-adoption and in the process, with his wife of a decade, of adopting a child.
But Strifler also holds a number of positions which would set him at odds with the Republican legislative majorities in Tallahassee. Strifler took aim at the increased privatization of the state prison system, arguing that it will lead to higher unemployment. He believes the state should rely more on alternative energy as opposed to offshore drilling.
Strifler also expressed concerns with the reforms being backed by Scott and Republicans in the Legislature of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). According to his campaign, Strifler will fight to restore the FRS system for state employees and for those who have relied on this system for their retirement.
As he plans to launch a petition drive to gain access to the ballot, Strifler vowed to fight for direct and open interaction with the voters through the use of technology and new media, including social media and Internet forums.
Strifler is not the only candidate in recent weeks to emerge on the First Coast running in 2012 without party affiliation. Brian Michael Lieberman filed to run against veteran Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, who held off a challenge from conservative businessman and Navy veteran Troy Stanley, who was running with no party affiliation, back in 2010.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
