Local News
Pigman faces Drake for Grimsley's seat
Highlands Today
Published: October 26, 2012
CART PIGMAN, RepublicanPublished: October 26, 2012
Age: 53
Education: BS in chemistry, 1980, Edgecliff College of Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. MD, 1983, at the College of Medicine of The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Residency in Emergency Medicine, 1989-1992, Georgetown University and George Washington University, Washington D.C.
Profession: Emergency medicine physician
Political experience: I have not held a political office.
Q: Why are you running and why are you the best candidate?
A: I am driven by a desire to serve my community. I am blessed with good health and a career that provides the flexibility to contribute a part of my professional career in service to my community. I plan to carry on the same careful and considered representation that we have had for the preceding eight years. I look forward to working with other legislators to build coalitions so our small voice in the Heartland is heard.
Q: One of the biggest complaints from the public is partisanship. What can you do to break through that? In Florida, Republicans have a super majority in the House and Senate, how can Democrats have a say in the process and how can Republicans allow that to happen?
A: Civility is a critical feature of democratic discourse. All individuals who have been elected to public office, regardless of their political party affiliation, have earned my highest respect and admiration. I will always be professional and humble.
Q: Slashing the state budget has been necessary but local governments complain that the Legislature is really mostly cost-shifting onto local communities. Do you agree with that criticism or do you believe these costs should be shouldered by communities?
A: I agree that the state must be vigilant to avoid shifting costs to the counties or municipalities. The state must also avoid invoking mandates that are unfunded.
Q: How do you make sure constituents, not just special interests, are being heard and represented? Attending only partisan events certainly doesn't lend itself to finding out what all constituents want and need. How do you make sure everyone is being heard?
A: I believe that being active and involved in as many community functions as is possible is not only necessary to remain informed but is also an enjoyable benefit of elected office. I will maintain an open-door policy.
Q: What would be your first action in the upcoming Florida Legislature? What bill would you most support or want to introduce immediately?
A: I will support legislation which promotes job creation, ensures that education remains strong, promotes agriculture and keeps Florida fiscally prudent.
Q: How would you rate our governor's performance on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest? And why?
A: I am very satisfied with our governor. I respect his leadership and pragmatism.
CRYSTAL DRAKE, Democrat
Age: 53
Education: Bachelor's Secondary Social Science Education/pursuing Masters in Public Administration
Profession: School teacher
Political experience: none
Q: Why are you running and why are you the best candidate?
A: I'm running because I'm very concerned about the future of Florida and want to help solve some of our issues. I am the best candidate because I will be more concerned with doing what's best for the next generation instead of worrying about the next election when making my decisions. I have four grandchildren who will inherit my decisions and that means I am personally vested in Florida's future.
Q: One of the biggest complaints from the public is partisanship. What can you do to break through that? In Florida, Republicans have a super majority in the House and Senate, how can Democrats have a say in the process and how can Republicans allow that to happen?
A: Partisanship is part of my platform. I am fed up with it, as are many Floridians. I believe I will be able to work across the aisle with Republicans because I am not bound to the state Democratic Party. They have not participated in my campaign and therefore, I will be able to listen to the voice of my local constituents and vote in their best interests regardless of which political party is pushing the legislation. Once elected, a representative must represent members of both parties and should put partisanship aside. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case.
Q: Slashing the state budget has been necessary but local governments complain that the Legislature is really mostly cost-shifting onto local communities. Do you agree with that criticism or do you believe these costs should be shouldered by communities?
A: I believe that state mandates should be state-funded.
Q: How do you make sure constituents, not just special interests, are being heard and represented? Attending only partisan events certainly doesn't lend itself to finding out what all constituents want and need. How do you make sure everyone is being heard?
A: By keeping my funding from special interests to a small portion of my campaigning efforts, I will be more able to focus my efforts on behalf of my constituents. The large majority of my funding has come from within the district from individuals and businesses, with only two small PAC contributions so far. I have attended many non-partisan events within our district and have supporters from both political parties, many of whom are Republicans, who will most definitely be called upon for advice and input should I be elected.
Q: What would be your first action in the upcoming Florida Legislature? What bill would you most support or want to introduce immediately?
A: I would like to help sponsor a bill to stop the move to common core standards and to stop making any changes to the FCAT for a specific amount of time until we could come up with a better way of helping students achieve adequate yearly progress. I would also increase funding to schools, especially in the area of career academies.
Q: How would you rate our governor's performance on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest? And why?
A: I agree with some of the governor's actions, such as taking a fiscal business approach in trying to balance our budget. However, his communication skills are a hindrance to his performance and his ability to lead. I would rate him at a 5.