FloridaEdMom

Scott (@SangerEatbabies) and I do not follow each other, but I have seen him in my feed throughout this election cycle. I have visited his page, and I see the part of Florida he identifies with. While we may stand on opposite sides of the political spectrum, I recognize that we share something important. We both appear to live in unincorporated areas of Florida. Places without city councils, city commissions, or municipal governments. Our first line of defense against development that threatens the communities we have chosen to call home is our county government, followed by the state. And there is a reason we chose to live in these communities. We appreciate the rural character of Florida. The natural beauty. The undeveloped land. The small businesses. The quiet roads. The wildlife. The parts of this state that have not been swallowed up by concrete, corporate development, and endless construction. We want to preserve those things for generations to come. What some of you fail to understand is that protecting our communities is not a partisan issue. When government opens the door for developers, data centers, and powerful corporate interests to encroach on the places we call home, you should expect resistance. And that resistance will not always come from one political party. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can disagree on just about everything happening in Washington or Tallahassee and still stand shoulder to shoulder when someone threatens the land, resources, and communities we love. This is a people-over-party moment. We are not interested in watching Big Tech and wealthy developers use their political influence to transform rural Florida into something its residents never asked for. And that brings me to @ByronDonalds. Byron has benefited from significant financial support from wealthy corporate interests. Floridians have every right to question what those donors expect in return. What happens when the interests of those financing his political ambitions collide with the interests of the people who actually live here? Whose side will he be on? Perhaps some of you have become so comfortable with corporate influence in politics that you no longer recognize the problem. But many Floridians have not. Some of us still shop at mom-and-pop stores. We still appreciate driving down roads lined with trees instead of warehouses. We still value undeveloped land, clean water, wildlife, and beaches that have not been commercialized beyond recognition. We do not see those things as wasted economic opportunities. We see them as Florida. And we are not willing to sacrifice them simply because someone with a large checkbook sees an opportunity to make another million dollars. That is why you should not be surprised when voters who have historically supported Republicans begin questioning whether Byron Donalds represents their interests. You may see this election through the lens of red versus blue. We see it through the lens of protecting our homes, our communities, our natural resources, and the Florida we want our children and grandchildren to inherit. Our votes will be intentional. Our opposition will be intentional. And our willingness to stand alongside people we disagree with politically will be intentional. Because at the end of the day, Byron Donalds does not get to define what Florida should become. The people who live here deserve that voice. And if protecting Florida means Democrats and Republicans standing together against corporate interests, then perhaps that is exactly what needs to happen. You’re seeing communities over corporations. People over party. Perhaps it’s time you wake up.