Florida House District 17

Republican Jessica Baker won the most votes in the August primary race for Florida House District 17, which covers the portion of Mandarin that is east of Old St. Augustine Road and Hood Landing Road, as well as a large portion of the Southside south of Beach Boulevard. She’ll face Democrat Michael Anderson, who had no primary challenger, in November.

News4Jax sent questionnaires to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.

Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.

Michael Anderson

Occupation: Substitute Teacher

Age: 32

Your family: Single/ No Children

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a Minor in Religious Studies. Unf

Political experience:

• I have worked out in the field for elections the past 4 years. I have also been in the political side of advocacy and pushing bills that I believe will help us all in Jacksonville.

We asked our most-loyal viewers (News4Jax Insiders) what three issues they would most like candidates to address:

Viewers’ No. 1 issue: The economy

• I believe every family in my district has the right to a state budget plan that is spent wisely for all Floridians whatever your race, ethnicity, economic situation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, background belief age or condition of ableness whether single or partnered. Your Voice Matters!”

Viewers’ No. 2 issue: Voter rights/election integrity

• I believe every family in my district has the right to access the ballot and to their elected leaders whatever your race, ethnicity, economic situation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, background or belief, age or condition of ableness, whether single or partnered. Your Voice Matters!

Viewers’ No. 3 issue: Gun rights/gun safety

• As a Gun Sense Candidate, I believe we need responsible gun ownership, we need background checks, and just plain common sense gun legislation. I am tired of driving by another shooting or going to another funeral or remembrance rally. We also need victim services reform to help support families during this time.

News4Jax asked each candidate three additional questions to help voters determine which most agrees with their views:

What do you see as the top three issues facing the state and nation over the next two years?

Do you believe Joe Biden is the legitimately elected president of the United States?

• Yes.

In light of the Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, would you propose or support additional laws either banning abortion entirely or guaranteeing reproductive rights?

• My stance is I believe in body autonomy and everyone in my district has the right to safe and affordable Healthcare including reproductive, mental, physical care.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

• As a young person born and raised in Jacksonville, I have a unique perspective on those issues which face our city. I tend to believe that being an elected representative for the district means just that: representation for everyone, regardless of one’s race, ethnicity, economic situation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, background or belief, age or condition of ableness, single or partnered. Everyone matters and their stories should be heard. As someone born with a disability and stutter, I know how it feels to think your voice doesn’t matter and your story is unimportant. My voice matters. Your voice matters. With your help, I will take the concerns of the District 17 residents to Tallahassee and effect a change across our State to create equity, inclusion, and justice.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

• I would hope to be remembered as a young person who had the courage to run a grass-roots campaign in order to bring a new perspective and voice to our Government. Also, it is important to me that people knew I stood strong and fought for an issue because it was the right thing to do, even if it was not always the most popular plan.

Campaign website: Anderson4FLHouse17.com

Campaign’s social media site(s): Search MMA4FL17 on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok.

Jessica Baker

Occupation: Assistant State Attorney

Age: 34

Your family: Husband, 2 kids

Education: Juris Doctor

Political experience: Member of the Jacksonville Charter Revision Commission

We asked our most-loyal viewers (News4Jax Insiders) what three issues they would most like candidates to address:

Viewers’ No. 1 issue: The economy

• We need to get a handle on inflation and the increase in cost of living. Government has had a large hand in creating these problems through reckless spending and debt creation so we need to get government out of the way. Stop printing money and deficit spending. Lower the tax burden on working families an job creators. These are just a few good first steps.

Viewers’ No. 2 issue: Voter rights/election integrity

• We need to ensure that we have free and fair elections. We must ensure that we have strong voter ID laws and that we have clean voter roles. Even one illegal vote being cast in our elections threatens the integrity of elections and undermines confidence in our democracy.

Viewers’ No. 3 issue: Gun rights/gun safety

• I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. We need to address the root causes of gun violence in our society which are gang and mental health related. More regulations on law abiding citizens won’t stop criminals and the insane from doing bad things.

News4Jax asked each candidate three additional questions to help voters determine which most agrees with their views:

What do you see as the top three issues facing the state and nation over the next two years?

• We need to address inflation and the cost of living which includes affordable housing, cost of insurance and energy prices. We must also address healthcare access/affordability and the need for more medical professionals in our state. I also see continuing to improve our public education system so that there are more options for students and parents are empowered to make the best decisions for their child.

Do you believe Joe Biden is the legitimately elected president of the United States?

• Joe Biden is putting the American Dream in peril for all Americans and I am committed to seeing him voted out in 2024

In light of the Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, would you propose or support additional laws either banning abortion entirely or guaranteeing reproductive rights?

• I support Gov. DeSantis’s new 15 week law. I am pro-life and the mother of a very premature baby that spent months in the NICU so I believe life is sacred and should be protected.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

• I have broad experience as a mother, prosecutor, former mayoral administration staff member and military wife to put to work for the people of Jacksonville. I understand the legislative process and how to get things done for the people without having to compromise our values. I know how to build teams and bring people together to accomplish big goals.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

• I hope to be known as a someone who brought people together to accomplish meaningful change in people’s lives. I am running to be a voice of common sense at time when that seems to be forgotten in the political arena. I believe that our best days are ahead of us but we must return to working together and being willing to put our differences aside from time to time when it comes to doing the most good for the most people.

Campaign website: ElectJessicaBaker.com

Campaign’s social media site(s): none