Congressional District 15: Democrat Alan Cohn faces Republican Laurel Lee for open seat

Voters in the western half of Polk County have a choice to make in the critical mid-term elections: who can best represent Congressional District 15.

Democrat Alan Cohn, an investigative TV journalist, will face off against former Secretary of State Laurel Lee, a Republican, for a spot on Florida's Congressional delegation.

Cohn and Lee each claimed their party's nomination after defeating four challengers a piece in the August primaries. Cohn received 33.1% and Lee received 41.5% of primary votes.

Also: Scotty Moore challenges Darren Soto in U.S. House-9 race

And: John Flynn, Ruth Moracen Knight vie for county judge position

Redistricting carried out under Gov. Ron DeSantis has offered both candidates the rare opportunity to vie for an open seat in a district race considered one of the two most competitive in Florida. The 164,973 registered Republicans held a slight edge over the 163,294 registered Democrats in July but more than 135,000 non-party affiliated voters could swing either way, according to the latest report from Florida Department of State.

The district's new boundaries stretch from South Florida Avenue in Lakeland west to the Suncoast Parkway near Lutz, from north of Zephyrhills south to State Road 60. It includes portions of Kathleen, southwest Lakeland, Dover, Lutz, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa and Zephyrhills.

Previously: Alan Cohn wins Democratic primary for Florida House District 15

Candidate backgrounds

Cohn, 59, is a resident of New Tampa in Hillsborough County. He and his wife Patricia have with two grown children - a daughter and son. In raising his children, Cohn said he’s traveled for sports from Lakeland and Plant City to Wesley Chapel.

Cohn has worked for ABC Action News in Tampa and is known for discovering a former Hillsborough commissioner who took money to buy a vacation home in Arkansas. He’s also won a Peabody Award for uncovering defective parts were being installed in Black Hawk helicopters.

"People in Polk have seen me for many years taking on both sides, uncovering political corruption and businesses who are taking advantage of consumers. We’re tired, we’re cynical of the government and skeptical," he said. "People have seen me for years uncover problems - not just uncover but find solutions and that’s what I want to do in Congress."

Lee is Gov. Ron DeSantis' former secretary of state, now looking to focus her attention on a larger scale. She lives in New Tampa with her husband, Tom, a former state senator. The couple have three children.

Lee was appointed secretary of state by DeSantis in January 2019, serving for a little more than three years. Before that, she was appointed as a circuit court judge by then-Gov. Rick Scott in 2013. She was re-elected to the position in 2014.

Previously, she served as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Middle District of Florida. She investigated and litigated a wide range of criminal offenses including white-collar and violent crimes, and cases involving sexual exploitation of children.

Lee and her campaign did not respond to multiple requests for an interview with The Ledger. Her stance on the key issues is pulled from primary interviews, her campaign website and Bay News 9 debate answers, which can be watched here. 

Inflation, economic issues

Lee blasted President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party in Thursday's debate for causing what she referred to as historic record-setting levels of inflation and skyrocketing pricing for basic consumer goods including gas and food. She blamed Democrats' frivolous spending with COVID relief. Her campaign platform also includes reviving the Keystone Pipeline.

Republican primary results: Laurel Lee beats Kelli Stargelto become Republican nominee for Florida's CD 15

Both candidates have put forth the idea of requiring a balanced federal budget by reigning in spending. However, their proposed solutions differ.

Cohn said he is a middle-class working American who understands the pressures families are facing from increasing costs in all categories: housing, food and gas prices. He said the issue traces back to a problem exposed by the COVID pandemic.

"If anything, what COVID exposed was our weakness in terms of a supply chain," he said. "We have to do something about that."

Cohn said he will support federal measures like the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to boost American semiconductor research and development to be used in technological devices, such as cars, computers and cell phones.

"These are good jobs, high-paying jobs and makes sue we're not relying on China’s production for computer chips," he said. "That's what I want to see. That's what I’m all about. It should not be a partisan issue but an American issue."

Roe v. Wade, civil rights

With the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, women's rights and access to abortions has become a decisive issue with both parties proposing legislation to further address the issue likely to be determined by the next Congress.

"I believe every woman should make their own health care decisions, Lee believes big governments should be in the room. That is the election," Cohn said. "My 26-year-old daughter has fewer right as an American than Laurel Lee did when she was 26."

Cohn said he feels the Supreme Court made a mistake by overturning the Roe and Dobbins decisions. He opposes Florida's 15-week ban, particularly taking issue with the state's law failing to make exceptions for rape or incest.

Previously: Laurel Lee beats Kelli Stargel, 3 others to become Republican nominee for Florida's new CD 15

Lee has previously told The Ledger she supports the decision of the Supreme Court in that the women's rights issue should be handled at the state level. Her campaign website states she is both pro-life and pro-family.

"When I get to Congress, I will continue to support this should be a state’s issue and not a federal government issue," she previously told The Ledger.

Cohn said he sees as a "salvo" or opening attack on human rights, with gay marriage next on the Republican agenda.

Lee said in Thursday night's debate she considers gay marriage to be a settled issue and it would be "unnecessary" to codify it into federal law. During her campaign, Lee has state her position as a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and willingness to protect the Constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Climate change

Hurricane Ian's impacts on Polk are still fresh in the mind of voters, bringing climate change and its impacts to the forefront.

Both candidates agree protecting the environment is critical to Florida's economic success, given its tourism and agricultural industries.

Cohn went on the attack in Thursday night's debate asking Lee if she thought climate change was real.

Lee did not answer or defend his question, rather addressing the need for Florida to focus on building its resiliency against future storms. She said she supports sustainable rebuilding and regrowth, while protecting what green space is left.

Florida's future lies in solar power, according to Cohn, who believes the federal government can help drive the growth of renewable, sustainable energy sources with policy and funding. Cohn said the Interstate 4 corridor used to be a hub for solar panel manufacturing until the tax breaks were stripped away.

"It takes the fundamental steps to curb climate change and create high-paying jobs here at home," he said.

Appointed: Samuel Simmons named interim Lakeland commissioner for Northwest District

Campaign finance

As of Friday, Lee reported having more than $1.8 million in contributions with approximately $362,000 in cash on hand. Her expenditures show more than $350,000 on media advertisements in the month leading up to the primary. Donors include Publix Supermarkets, Inc. PAC and Hoyt Barnett, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Jeffrey Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture.

Lee's endorsements include Congressmen Gus Bilirakis (R-Gainesville) and Scott Franklin (R-Lakeland), Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.

By comparison, Cohn has reported raising more than $82,712 as of October, with approximately $220,500 cash on hand. He's received contributions from several union political action committees including UA Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, Communication Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Operating Engineers.

Cohn has endorsements that include former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and Americas Food and Retail Union.

Early walk-in voting goes from Oct. 24 through Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29, ahead of the general election Nov. 8. More information is available on Polk County Supervisor of Election's website at www.polkelections.com.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Democrat Alan Cohn faces Republican Laurel Lee for congressional district 15 seat