In Osceola County state House districts: Barrio and Hawkins
Two crowded primary races are on the ballot for voters to select state House candidates in districts that cover broad areas of Osceola County and a slice of Polk.
A total of 10 candidates are in these two races, none of which has an incumbent House member. These endorsements are based partly on interviews, as well as our review of the candidates’ positions on issues, their backgrounds and their qualifications.
Alex Barrio in District 43
Incumbent Democrat John Cortes is leaving the seat in the heavily Hispanic, heavily Democratic district to run for Osceola County clerk of courts. The district is so lopsided that it couldn’t attract a single Republican, which means the winner of this primary wins the race.
Six Democrats filed to run. Unfortunately, just two of them participated in the Sentinel’s video interview.
The upside is that the best candidate in race was one of those.
Alex Barrio is an experienced hand in politics. He worked for now U.S. Rep. Darren Soto when Soto was in the Florida Legislature, and Barrio’s political savvy was on full display when asked how he would try to influence bills and policy if forced to legislate as part of the minority party.
Barrio’s quick on his feet and knowledgeable. He would be an able and formidable representative in this district, which includes Kissimmee, Buenaventura Lakes and Poinciana.
We were impressed, too, with Tamika Lyles, an engaging high school teacher who’s been active in Democratic politics. Lyles is a good candidate but, compared with Barrio, she would have a steeper learning curve in Tallahassee. Democrats need a representative who can start making a difference right away. That’s Barrio.
The other candidates in the race are Kristen Arrington, Carlos Irizarry Sr., Andrew Jeng and Ricardo Rangel, who served one term in the Legislature and was there long enough to vote in favor of a Republican-led effort that banned local governments from requiring companies to provide sick leave. No, thanks.
Barrio is prepped and ready to serve a constituency that deserves effective representation.
Fred Hawkins in District 42
In this Republican primary, four candidates are hoping to become their party’s choice to run against Democrat Barbara Ann Cady this fall.
This seat is being vacated by Mike La Rosa, who is leaving office because of term limits. La Rosa was always a reliable vote for his party’s establishment and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, doing as he was told and never making trouble.
We’re banking on Fred Hawkins, an experienced public servant, having the mettle to be a more disruptive force. Hawkins has a terrific resume. He’s been an Osceola County commissioner since 2008. His portfolio is packed with government and cultural credentials. He heads the nonprofit Osceola Education Foundation. His priorities are solid, with an emphasis on expanding health-care services.
We hope that Hawkins would push back against the party leadership that’s too focused on doing the bidding of the powerful and less so on helping the service class that gets left behind. We want Hawkins to make a mark there, especially for a district — eastern Osceola and Polk counties — where so many people are tethered to the service industry.
Hawkins is the standout among his opponents.
Dianna Liebnitzky has some interesting ideas but articulates them in ways that would baffle the average person. Clarity counts for a lot when you’re trying to convey ideas. Bienvenido “Benny” Valentin, a pastor and founder of Logos Christian University, has some mavericky qualities but he seems obsessed with cracking down on homeowners associations.
We’re not going to argue that HOAs can be abusive and overbearing but, when asked about his two key legislative priorities, it was the first thing out of Valentin’s mouth. Florida has a lot of problems, but obnoxious HOAs don’t crack the top 10.
We would like to have heard more from Gary Scott, an Army veteran, but he didn’t attend our interview. In an interview with Florida Politics website, however, Scott said named HOAs as a “disruptive” issue of interest. Not affordable housing. Not health care. HOAs. Priorities, folks.
Fred Hawkins is the best bet in District 42. Election endorsements are the opinion of the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, which consists of Opinion Editor Mike Lafferty, Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio, Jay Reddick, David Whitley and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Sentinel Columnist Scott Maxwell participates in interviews and deliberations. To watch the candidate interviews, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/ interviews.