Scott Randolph for Florida State Representative District 36

Background:

I am a non-profit environmental attorney who also has been advocating in the state legislature for four years on environmental, public health, constitutional and voters' rights issues. Last year, I helped pass legislation that will increase water quality funding from $5 million per year to more than $500 million over the next ten years. I also helped stop legislation that would have restricted voter access to the ballot and pay polluters not polluting. I also won a landmark case to require the state to regulate factory farms in Florida, and I have successfully battled a large insurance company to recover 100% of the retirement funds of more than 100 workers who lost their retirement after the company's president mismanaged their retirement savings.

I am married to Susannah Lindberg, who grew up in Orlando and has been a long-time organizer in many areas of the state. She ran door-to-door canvasses for seven years during and after college.

Goals:

Central Florida is a nationally recognized swing area in a battleground state, and we need local leaders who understand and are dedicated to a larger goal of achieving progressive policies while building the Democratic base. Central Florida is key to winning statewide races for Democrats in 2006 and it will be key to winning back the White House in 2008.

I am running for State Representative because I believe that Florida needs new and effective leaders who understand that the future of Florida depends on how we invest in our communities, our children and our environment today. I decided to run because the "Democrat" representing Orlando consistently voted against Democratic principles and values. She twice voted with Governor Bush to intrude in the Terri Schiavo case, raised phone rates, twice voted to kill minimum wage increases; sponsored a "family values" license plate and is anti-privacy.

We work very hard to get Democrats elected and we must still hold them accountable.

Then she switched to the Republican Party in January! After our campaign raised more money than she did--with an average contribution of $85 compared to her $500 corporate checks--she showed her vote was for sale.

My goal in office is to bring fair fiscal policy to Florida and to stop the Republicans reckless financial system that cheats our children out of a quality education, cheats workers out of a fair wage and cheats our communities out of sustainable economic development while benefiting only a few well-connected industries.

Issues:

1. I will fight to fully fund a quality education system that is fair to all students without vouchers. I will fight to fully implement the class-size amendment approved by the voters so that all students receive a quality education regardless of what school they attend.

2. Republican policies are bad for business. I will fight to ensure that businesses that care about their workers and care about their communities can thrive in Florida. We will not subsidize corporate profits by putting workers on Medicaid and we will help small businesses achieve success by allowing them to obtain affordable healthcare for their employees.

3. I will fight to ensure that Florida's environment is protected for future generations and to protect Florida's economy, which depends so heavily on our pristine beaches and beautiful wild lands. We will provide agriculture and cities with the tools and finances to attain growth management and a clean environment, while holding them accountable to ensure that economic development benefits the whole community in a sustainable manner.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots support has been critical to my campaign, and the support will be critical to showing that elected officials can raise enough money through small contributions to be accountable to voters, not big special interests. I first entered this race against a two-time incumbent Democrat who voted almost exclusively with Republicans on issues like Terri Schiavo, privatizing Medicaid, workers' rights and the environment. After our grassroots campaign out-fundraised her in three months, she officially switched to the Republican party. Our average contribution is less than $100, yet we have raised more than the incumbent. DFA's grassroots support will show once again that by taking the time to engage voters, we can win seats against big-special interests.

DFA Values:

I believe in the right to privacy, and if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns that right at the federal level, I will fight to keep it in Florida's constitution. I believe the government should treat state revenues with respect and efficiency. Even though