Florida District 89: Incumbent Silvers faces 22-year-old political newcomer for reconfigured seat
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Before he ran for state office for the first time, David Silvers was told he would be continually frustrated serving in Tallahassee as a Democrat.
Silvers didn't see much evidence until recently.
"My first four years in the legislature, it didn’t seem like that," said Silvers, first elected to the State House in 2016. "The last two have been so partisan.”
Despite that, Silvers is vying to return for a fourth consecutive term, this time as a representative for the re-configured District 89, which includes parts of West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.
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Silvers, 43, will face Daniel Zapata, the 22-year-old Republican candidate and a political newcomer.
Zapata, the son of Cuban immigrants who works at a private school in West Palm Beach, said Hispanics have been "underrepresented at all levels" and wants to change that. No member of Palm Beach County's delegation to the State House or Senate is Hispanic.
Mike Caruso had represented District 89 in the Florida House since 2018. But redistricting shrank District 89 and moved it west, away from the coastal Palm Beach County strip Caruso had represented.
Silvers and Zapata each advanced to the general election without facing a challenger in the primaries.
Members of the House can serve no more than four consecutive terms.
The Palm Beach Post performed a criminal background check on every candidate. The Post is reporting any criminal charges filed and the outcome of the cases since January 2012, even when they did not result in a conviction.
Florida District 89 candidate: David Silvers (Democrat)
Age and residence: 43, lives in West Palm Beach.
Platform: Silvers' priorities are tackling rising costs, creating jobs, finding solutions to our housing crisis, championing mental health reform and improving public education. "We have accomplished a lot in the past six years, but there is still more work to be done," Silvers said. "I remain committed to policy, not politics, and vow to remain at the forefront of the fight for smart policies that improve our community."
Professional history: Silvers is a small business owner and president of a local publishing company.
Political background: After losing in 2014 to Bill Hager in the District 89 general election, Silvers defeated two Democrats in the 2016 primary and was elected automatically when no Republican or third-party candidates entered the race. In 2018, Silvers won 84.59% of the vote to defeat Green Party candidate Samson LeBeau Kpadenou.
Education: Silvers holds a Juris Doctor and MBA from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida.
Criminal history: None.
Endorsements: Silvers has received support from Fraternal Order of Police, AFL-CIO Florida, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Bizpac of Palm Beach County and Planned Parenthood.
ISSUES
Parental rights in education
"I believe that our youth’s success and our state’s future are tied together. It is important to fight for our children and make sure that they are set up to succeed in our ever-changing economy. I do not think that our children and schools should be used to serve a political purpose."
Home rule
"I have supported home rule since first elected in 2016 and will continue to do so in the legislature. The state government should keep their hands out of local issues, letting local officials handle them."
Elections
"I have a unique perspective on 'election integrity.' As a State Representative I serve on the Public Integrity & Elections Committee. I believe that the state should help facilitate and encourage increased voter participation. I would support a national holiday for voting; far too often people can’t find time to vote due to work commitments. Perhaps if we had a national holiday for voting, there would be greater participation. No one should have to worry about missing work in order to exercise their right to vote."
Gun rights
"I do not support 'open carry' in Florida. Yes, I support stronger 'Red flag' laws and stronger background checks. I voted in favor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Bill, the first piece of firearm legislation passed in Florida in over 20 years."
Florida District 89 candidate: Daniel Zapata (Republican)
Age and residence: 22, lives in West Palm Beach.
Platform: Zapata said he has three priorities: education, the working class and small business. In terms of district priorities, Zapata said he would propose a bill to freeze and lower property taxes throughout the state immediately.
Professional history: Zapata is an assistant student activities director at Atlantic Christian Academy in West Palm Beach, according to the school's website.
Political background: None.
Education: Zapata earned a bachelor's degree from Palm Beach State College.
Criminal history: None.
Endorsements: Zapata has support from the Christian Family Coalition, a Florida-based advocate for religious liberties, and Guardians of American History, which claims on its website that it "will use all means necessary to prevent the malevolent eradication of American history and culture."
ISSUES
Parental rights in education
"I support both (parental rights and anti-woke) of these laws."
Home rule
"I am a firm believer in home rule. I believe the government closest to its citizens should have the most impact on them, but when you have politicians in power whose only motive is to advance their interests, the higher government should step in."
Elections
"I believe the laws implemented over the last two years have strengthened our voting process. I would not propose any new legislation in this area."
Gun rights
"I believe that the law we have on the books goes too far in the ability of the state to remove someone's weapons. If someone is found to have been falsely accused, they should have the ability to regain their guns."
Jorge Milian is a journalist covering Boynton Beach and Lake Worth Beach at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jmilian@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at Caneswatch. Help support our work, subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida District 89: David Silvers, Daniel Zapata: Meet the candidates
