Florida House 44: Where candidates stand on issues

State Rep. Geraldine Thompson has a challenger in the Democratic primary on Aug. 18, the winner of which will go on to face one of two Republicans locked in their own primary for the west Orange County seat.

Thompson represents District 44, which includes Winter Garden, Windermere and Oakland.

Who they are

The Republicans are:

■ Frank Edel Blanco, 37, of Ocoee, a practicing defense attorney.

■ Bruno Portigliatti, 32, of Doctor Phillips, president of Florida Christian University and CEO of Excellence Senior Living.

The Democrats are:

■ Andy Farrell, 49, of Hunter’s Creek, a technological entrepreneur and software company starter.

■ Thompson, 71, of the Windermere area, who has previously served three terms in the state House and two terms in the state

Senate representing County. western

Orange

Where they stand

Blanco said one of his most important issues is criminal justice reform. As a defense attorney, he feels that the system “over-penalizes people who may be either first time offenders or non-violent offenders.”

By instituting more programs aimed at the rehabilitation of nonviolent criminals, rather than incarceration, Blanco said he hopes

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Get all you need to know about the upcoming primary at OrlandoSentinel.com/2020 to create a more equitable system.

“If [offenders] spend 10-20 years in prison, they’re likely not only to not be able to contribute to society when they get out, but they are more likely to re-offend,” he said.

Portigliatti said his number one objective is helping those who have lost their jobs or seen their businesses close due to the coronavirus pandemic. To support these families and companies, Portigliatti said he favors “reducing any and all unnecessary and burdensome regulation, ensuring we have the lowest tax clime, placing a greater emphasis on career education.”

Among the

Democratic candi

dates, Farrell said he has four big issues: safety from the pandemic, economic stability, defeating systemic racism and the environment.

And even though the environment is not discussed as much as the other three currently, Farrell said he is passionate about making changes that would help save the planet.

“I do not think that our government, regardless of the party, regardless of the type of government organization, takes enough action to protect our environment,” Farrell said. “We need to do a lot more than just lowering the amount of pollution going into the air.”

As a former educator in Orange County, Thompson has long been an advocate of traditional public schools. But due to COVID-19, her most immediate issue is to revamp the unemployment assistance system.

Thompson said it is unrealistic for people to find reemployment in 12 weeks, especially during a pandemic.

The incumbent representative also said it frustrates her that the unemployment system was designed to fail, when people have found themselves out of work because of the pandemic and through no fault of their own.

Where they differ

While Blanco and Portigliatti are from the same side of the aisle, Blanco believes he has a stronger stance on the second amendment. The two men also disagree on criminal justice reform.

“I don’t think he’s willing to go to the level that I am,” Blanco said of Portigliatti. “I definitely think that as far as a conservative choice, I think I’m a better choice than Bruno.‘’

Portigliatti’s life objective is to fulfill his “Godgiven potential and to leave a legacy of integrity,” which he said separates him from his Republican and Democratic opponents.

Portigliatti said he is running because he sees a true need in the community that he feels he can meet through his service, knowledge and experience, rather than from a place of ego or power.

According to Farrell, a key part of his campaign is that he will not attack his fellow candidates, whether that’s during a debate or in an advertisement. He said he is not a politician and will not be taking money from any special interest groups.

“When you become a representative of a district of the state or an entire country, you’re supposed to represent everyone,” Farrell said. “I think that’s not really going on a lot with politicians at every level of government.”

Due to her years of previous service, Thompson said she knows and cares about people who have been marginalized and said this was a critical thing for her.

“We need a person in office who’s able to bridge that divide in our society and brings people together, and in the face of protests and unrest, that’s going to be very important,” Thompson said.