Herald endorsement: Our pick in Florida House District 109 primary | Opinion
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Miami Herald Editorial Board’s 2024 Election Endorsements
In advance of the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 20, 2024, the Editorial Board interviewed and researched candidates to better understand their views on various issues and how their policies will affect their constituents. The goal is to give voters a better idea of who’s the best candidate for each race.
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The Democratic primary for Florida House District 109 is a bit of a rematch. State Rep. Ashley Gantt faces the former lawmaker she unseated last election: James Bush III. A third candidate has also jumped in: Roy Hardemon, another former House representative who lost a different seat in 2018.
As a freshman state representative, Gantt is still learning the ropes in Tallahassee, especially how to work with Republicans who have a supermajority in the Legislature. Still figuring out how the balance between sticking to her progressive principles and being effective, Gantt understands the needs of her constituents and should be reelected to another two-year term.
There are no Republicans, independents, write-ins or third-party candidates running for this seat, so the primary will decide who wins and is open to all qualified voters in the district that covers parts of North Miami-Dade, Opa-locka, Miami Lakes, Liberty City and downtown Miami.
Gantt, 39, is a former school teacher and a lawyer who started her legal career as an assistant public defender in Broward. Two of her bills have become law. One of them — approved unanimously in 2023 — required state courthouses to have lactation spaces for women who are breastfeeding. She co-sponsored legislation to provide $817,000 to Leonard Cure, a Broward County man who was wrongfully convicted and spent 16 years in prison before his 2020 exoneration.
Gantt said she’s secured about $800,000 in state funding for District 109, including for drainage in the city of Miami and New Horizons Community Mental Health Center. She said that, as a freshman Democrat from a Black-majority district, she faces special challenges in securing state dollars. If reelected, she said she will leverage the relationships she said she’s been building with Republican leaders, including incoming House Speaker Danny Perez of Miami, to bring home the proverbial bacon.
“I think I have developed relationships that foster respect among colleagues, with Republicans in leadership particularly,” Gantt said. “So the next time around, I’ve already spoken to them about some of the bills that I’ve sponsored.”
Bush, 69, was in the state House on and off starting in 1992. He lost the District 109 seat to Gantt in 2022. He was the only Democrat to vote for the Florida parental rights law known as “Don’t say gay” and the state’s 15-week abortion ban that had no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking. He was no longer in office when lawmakers passed a six-week ban, which Gantt fiercely opposed. Bush did not attend an interview with the Miami Herald Editorial Board.
Hardemon, 61, served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2018, when he was ousted by Democratic Rep. Dotie Joseph. He said among the main issues facing District 109 is gentrification of historically Black neighborhoods and the need to secure more state funding. As the father of 12 daughters, he said women should have the right to an abortion. Hardemon has a lengthy arrest record for trespassing and disorderly conduct and more serious felony charges, some of which have been dropped or pleaded down.
In the end, the incumbent is still a powerful voice for her constituents. The Herald endorses ASHLEY GANTT in House District 109.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the political endorsements?
In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process look like?
The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.
Is the Editorial Board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.
This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 1:00 AM.
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