Stephen Gorham for Florida State Senate District 10

Background:

Hello! My name is Stephen Gorham and I am running for Florida Senate District 10. My wife, Rebecca, and I currently live in Plant City along with our 3 year old daughter, Sky Trinity. As a long time resident of the South Lakeland/Plant City area, a recent war Veteran honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, and the current Director of Networks and Telecommunications at Hillsborough Community College I am very concerned about many issues and problems the local residents face. My diverse background and education allows me to be sympathetic and understand the needs of the residents of District 10. I come from a working class family that worked hard to earn a living. My father, a one-hundred percent disabled Vietnam Veteran, is a former U.S Postal worker, and my mother stayed at home to care for and raise four children.

Goals:

I am running because I believe Florida is a great state which deserves a brighter tomorrow. As a veteran, husband, and father I will fight to educate our children, strengthen our neighborhoods, and empower citizens by holding leaders accountable.

Issues:

I am committed to providing Florida's children and working families a quality public school system that we can be proud of, safe neighborhoods and communities that we can afford to live in, and creating jobs that pay a living wage to support our families with.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots has and will continue to play a huge role in our success. We are running in a conservative district in Eastern Hillsborough County Florida with many rural areas. This district, as many others in Florida, was Democratic up until about 12 years or so. We have been getting our Democratic message out using Grassroots techniques and strategies for the last 8 months. By utilizing the grassroots methodology of taking our message to the people one neighborhood and precinct at a time, winning over hearts and minds at door steps, and funding a campaign on small donor contributions we are giving back a voice to Democrats in Eastern Hillsborough County. As November grows closer we will need Grassroots more then ever to ensure that our message continues to get out and our donations continue to rise. I truly believe that on Election Day when folks are in the booth they will remember the campaign that sought them out personally not a TV commercial or paper ad.

DFA Values:

I truly believe that Ben Franklin knew what he was talking about when he said "Those that would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." I believe it is essential to protect the civil liberties that our forefathers and countless Veterans fought and in many cases died to keep. I believe that equal protection under the law should apply to everyone and not just groups that meet a certain criteria. I have always believed that taxes are an investment and we should expect a return that we can be proud of on that investment. It is the Government's duty to tax appropriately and fairly in order to promote a society of responsible corporate and private citizens working together for the common good.