Due to term limits, incumbent State Sen. Travis Hutson isn’t seeking re-election in District 7, which covers St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and northern Volusia counties.
Tom Leek won a three-way Republican primary, a contest that drew attention and high-profile endorsements, while blanketing voters with commercials and mailers. He will now face Democrat George “T” Hill II in the general election in November.
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News4Jax sent a questionnaire 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 presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
Tom Leek
Occupation: Chief Legal Officer/Executive Vice President, Foundation Risk Partners, Corp.
Age: 55
Family: Wife, Michelle, two daughters
Education: University of Central Florida, BA; Stetson University College of Law, JD.
Political experience: Florida House of Representatives, District 25 (2016 to present)
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The economy, as it relates to families making ends meet and allowing businesses to thrive in recruiting and retaining a talented workforce. We must protect our borders from illegal immigration and ban sanctuary cities so citizens will be confident to live, work, play, raise a family, and retire here in the Sunshine State. My wife and I raised our family on the water and environmental issues are going to remain a priority, particularly with hurricane season upon us and how vulnerable we are from a beach nourishment standpoint. My conservative legislative record in working with Governor DeSantis, with law enforcement and first responders, and with local businesses in keeping taxes low, providing economic incentives to support our entrepreneurial spirit, and ensuring Senate District 7 and our state remain the freest in the nation, is what continues to be my focus.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
As a conservative member of the Florida House, I have served as a committee chairman and on the leadership team of the last three Speakers in the Florida House. I served with House Speaker Paul Renner as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and previously chaired the Public Ethics and Integrity Committee, the Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee and the Redistricting Committee. This experience allows me to effectively and immediately serve the constituents of Senate District 7 on day one.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
As a member of the Florida Senate, I hope to continue my service to the people of Florida by building upon my current accomplishments, by establishing Florida as the most law enforcement-friendly state in the union by strengthening their ability to recruit, retain and reward our police officers by working on many of the conservative advances of the past few years in school choice, economic development and important social issues that strengthen the family.
Campaign website: www.VoteTomLeek.com
Campaign social media: Facebook |X | Instagram
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
George “T” Hill II
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Age: 70
Family: (no response)
Education: I turned down a scholarship to Harvard, Army, and others, only to drop out from the two colleges I attended. I’m self-educated, just like I’m a self-made millionaire and entrepreneur.
Political experience: I’m not a politician, which is to say my integrity isn’t for sale to the highest bidder.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1) Corruption: I do not take money from anybody so although I can be wrong, I cannot be bought. The non-financial concept of quid pro quo as an accepted part of the corruption landscape is a central aspect of the reform I see as essential for eliminating the fossil fuel industry’s control over legislation.
2) Climate change: I plan to mitigate the local effects of climate change and address the causes of the climate crisis, by organizing and advocating for a coalition of the willing to create change, and strengthen the ability of local government to enact regulations to protect the environment, including local native habitats that state and federal governments are not protecting currently.
3) Water quality: I aim to drastically improve Florida’s water quality, by mandating the immediate resolution of the EPA’s proposed rule to update Florida’s 30-years out-of-date Water Quality Standard.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I’m the candidate for all of the people who gave up voting because of the corruption in the United States; I’m their candidate. Any politician who takes money from an opaque entity is answerable to the dark money they’ve accepted, rather than to the American people, which is why I accept zero political contributions from organizations or citizens.
I will help voters by telling them the truth, rather than what dark money wants them to know.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered for righting the wrongs of the Taliban of Tallahassee.
Campaign website: www.GeorgeTHill4FLSenate.com
Campaign social media: (none provided)