Dear Neighbor,

On August 24, 2010, you’ll be voting for your next county commissioner for district 2 in a primary election.   As a 30-year resident of Escambia County, I am campaigning for that county commission seat.  I believe I possess the critically needed experience and leadership skills to serve you well as your next county commissioner.  Since 2002, I have represented a good portion of County Commission District 2 in the State House of Representatives.  I have dedicated my life to public service, and I want to continue my public service at the local level.  Through the years, I have kept in touch with my district and my constituency.  For example, I do annual ride-a-longs with EMS, Sherriff Deputies, Highway Patrol, and other emergency personnel.  During past hurricanes, including Hurricane Ivan, I have volunteered at the Escambia County Emergency Management Center.  I care about my constituents, and I promise you hard work and honesty.

Experience – State Level: I have a strong 11-year record in the Florida House of Representatives.  My public service in the House began in 1998 as a Legislative Assistant to Jeff Miller, then serving in the Florida House.  After Jeff Miller was elected to the U.S. Congress, I served as Legislative Assistant to Jerry Maygarden, the House Majority Leader at the time.  In 2002, I was elected to the House of Representatives and subsequently re-elected.  My leadership skills and experience have been broadened and honed through service on several different councils and committees during the past 8 years.  I have risen to a position of greater responsibility and leadership by serving on two Councils during my last 2-year term in the House.  Councils are the highest level in the House structure and have several committee groups within them.  There are numerous committees, but only 5 policy councils.  This accomplishment sets me apart from my peers in the House.

Experience – Local Level:  For 6 years (1992-1998), I served as Deputy Tax Collector at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office.  From 1987 to 1992, I worked my way through college by serving in many capacities on and off campus, including a 13-month internship with the City of Pensacola.  While attending UWF, I was a Business Basics Consultant and earned the Junior Achievement Distinguished Service Award for teaching more business classes than anyone while attending UWF.

Conservative Values:

• I am a true blue conservative who believes our strength is in our families.
• I believe in being guided by a strong and enduring sense of right and wrong and personal convictions about justice and honor.  Thus I believe that life begins at conception and I am against abortion.  I am against marriage between people of the same sex.
• I believe our U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence define us as a Nation and are relevant to the present day.
• I believe in limited government that represents the people and that maintains and protects a wide realm of liberty.
• I believe in transparency in government and oppose the creation of more bureaucracy.
• I believe in private property rights and in creating opportunities and empowering people, not government.
• I believe in free markets and in the spirit of entrepreneurship.  I believe we should be able to pursue happiness unencumbered by over-taxation, over-regulation, or by debilitating government handouts.
• I believe that the Second Amendment of our Constitution is a cornerstone of our democracy and that the right to bear arms is a constitutionally-protected right.  I have been a member of the NRA for over 25 years and have been an A+ rated member in the Florida Legislature.

Education and Personal Information:
My family and I have lived in Escambia County since 1978.  I graduated from Tate High School, Pensacola Junior College, and from the University of West Florida where I earned a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Economics.  
I worked my way through college and participated in many leadership roles as a student.  I knew the importance of preparing myself for leadership and participated in several professional development programs including Leadership Pensacola, Toastmasters, and Junior Achievement.  I have worked hard at equipping myself with education, leadership skills, and a broad range of experiences to be an effective public servant at any level.  My resume is available on my campaign website listed below.

Thank you!  I appreciate your taking the time to read my brief letter of introduction.  You may read more about me on my legislative and campaign websites.   I greatly appreciate your consideration and your vote.
Please do not hesitate to contact me.  I pride myself in serving you and being available to you!

Thank you again for your time.    I look forward to earning your vote in this important election.