Polsky can build ties needed for success

District 81 of the Florida House of Representatives encompasses the equestrian fields of Wellington, the golf courses of West Boca Raton and the fish camps of Lake Okeechobee. It’s suburban and agricultural, ethnically diverse, wealthy and poor. Successfully navigating the district’s many political currents is a challenge. Of the two candidates in the Democratic primary, Tina Polsky, 50, seems the most capable of handling the job.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters choose Polksy to succeed Joseph Abruzzo, who decided not to seek re-election. She is opposed by retired teacher Mindy Koch, 65, who ran unsuccessfully in 2016 for the District 29 Florida Senate seat.

Polsky has never held elective office or run for one. She has, however, been active as a volunteer in the campaigns of other Democrats and has a solid civic involvement resume. Among other things, she sits on the Anti-Defamation League’s Civil Rights Committee and is director of the Mitzvah Club, a woman’s organization that raises money for charities. Memberships in the Boca Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Boca have helped educate her on local issues.

She has a law degree from Columbia University and runs her own mediation firm, where she spends considerable time handling cases involving senior citizens. Understanding the challenges facing seniors is a plus in a state with a large population of retirees.

Polsky hopes to use her mediation skills to help bridge the political divide. Given today’s gulf between Democrats and Republicans, that’s a tall order. If any issue lends itself to bipartisanship, however, it’s one that directly affects District 81 and Lake Okeechobee — the noxious algae blooms that are choking the lake and surrounding bodies of water.

This is an environmental and public health issue, but also a business issue. Florida’s economy relies heavily on the tourist industry, and maintaining and enhancing our natural resources is vital to the state’s continued success. If Florida’s aquatic environment collapses, so will tourism, taking the housing, finance, manufacturing, and other industries down with it.

The algae bloom problem has a variety of causes, including leaking septic tanks, agricultural runoff and water flow problems in the Everglades. Polsky seems to understand this, and we would encourage her to put solving the problem at the top of her priority list.

Polsky has been an energetic candidate and her campaign has generated a lot of support among top elected officials and organizations, including the Classroom Teachers Association, the Florida Medical Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

Koch has been active in politics for years, including as president of the Democratic Club of Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Both Polsky and Koch would be reliable votes on key Democratic issues, including raising teachers salaries and passing strong gun control laws. Polsky’s strong support throughout the district, however, indicates she has the skills to develop the political relationships necessary to getting things done in Tallahassee.

Polsky and Koch are the only candidates seeking the District 81 seat, so all voters, regardless of whether they are Democrats, are eligible to vote in the election.

Both candidates live in West Boca Raton.

Polsky