House District 8 forum: Curt Bender and Gallop Franklin engage in sharp yet civil debate

Thirty-two-year-old Curt Bender and 34-year-old Gallop Franklin provided a possible millennial vision for House District 8 at a candidates’ forum organized by the Tallahassee Democrat, League of Women Voters and WFSU Public Media.

Bender is the Republican, and Franklin the Democratic candidate in the race.

The two seek to join a legislative chamber where the average age is 47 – Generation X, a latchkey generation known more for detachment than for engaging in groups like government.

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Bender, a florist turned attorney, and Franklin, a professor turned pharmacist, both agree government is a force that should be harnessed to benefit the lives of people.

“Government should serve a purpose," said Franklin.

Franklin said government should focus on safety, public health and the regulation of economic markets when they “go out of whack,” citing tax policies and other measures as tools to fight inflation.

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Bender said government can empower individuals to tackle broader issues collectively.

“The purpose of government is to leverage economy of scale, to make a broader impact on things that the individual can’t affect,” said Bender.

District 8 dynamics: A surprise seat

House District 8 takes in all of Gadsden County, the state's only minority-majority county, and Tallahassee's south and west sides. It is home to the poorest zip code in Florida, on Tallahassee’s south side.

The district’s poverty rate is 58%, higher than the rest of the state. The per capita income is 35% lower and median household income is 26% less, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Three-term incumbent Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, worked to steer millions of dollars for infrastructure projects for Gadsden, and to support Florida A&M University the district’s economic keystone.

Alexander declined to seek reelection after becoming embroiled in a sexting scandal, which was investigated by the Tallahassee Democrat.

An investigative report:

• 'Recklessness': Rep. Ramon Alexander apologizes amid sexting, harassment allegations

• What we know about Rep. Alexander's sexual harassment allegations, his connection to FAMU

• Rep. Ramon Alexander, a top Florida Democrat, will not seek re-election after sexting allegations

Bender and Gallop pledged to continue to seek state money to benefit the district, with Gallop prioritizing education and Bender pushing renewable energy initiatives.

Both endorse expansion of Medicaid, increased pay and benefits for state workers, a $15-per-hour-minimum wage, and home rule over state preemption of local regulations and mandates.

But in a feisty yet civil exchange – given the current political climate –the two disagreed at length on abortion rights, education policy, access to the ballot box and gun rights.

The discussion can be viewed on tallahassee.com and the Tallahassee Democrat's YouTube page.

More: Watch replay: Q&A with candidates for Florida House, District 8

Here are some highlights:

Voting Rights

Q: Are changes needed in Florida law to improve voter access to the ballot? 

Franklin: Absolutely, we should continue to expand access to the ballot box. Abraham Lincoln said it best. Our government should be by the people, of the people and for the people.”

Bender: I think we're good and we're heading in a good direction.

Education

Q: Repeal or Support Parental Rights in Education Act (aka, Don’t Say Gay)? 

Bender: I think the parental rights bill absolutely should not be repealed because it did some very good things. It did a lot more good than, than I think the media and other folks portray.

For example, one of the problems with education is that there's not a holistic approach and support from parents. The new bill mandates that school districts must come up with a plan and they must publish a policy and how to get parents involved in the student's homework.

Prior to this bill if the teacher suspected a child being subjected to abuse by another state employee, they didn't have to report it. Now they do. I think there's a lot of good.

Franklin: I would vote to repeal the 'don't say gay' bill. I know quite a few teachers and every teacher I know is in it for the right reasons, which is to ensure that each student be the best version of themselves.

Teachers are oftentimes the first place a child can come and have a conversation about a challenge they might be having.

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Yes, I don't encourage teachers maybe putting their own personal views into a child but being there to have the conversation help direct them to child psychologist, school psychologist and school counselors to make sure professionals can help guide the child in a great way I think is a positive.

Gun Rights

Q: Would you support a Constitutional Carry initiative to allow the open display of firearms in public? 

Franklin: No, I don't support constitutional carry to openly carry guns. I do think people should have to go through a process like we have for a concealed permit license and ensure that we have different psychological tests and background checks. That makes sure that the person carrying the gun are good people. I think good people should have guns in their hands.

Bender: Absolutely. I support constitutional carry. The state of Georgia has constitutional carry and if you go to Georgia, you don't see people walking around with guns out in the open.

From my research, the reason that constitutional carry isn't permitted is because of a court decision where it's like we don't want blacks walking around with guns out in the open. I know there’s an issue with Stand Your Ground (self-defense law). That law can be used by any person of any color to protect themselves.  I don't see an issue with constitutional carry. It is your right.

Abortion Rights

What should Florida's response be to the U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade? 

Bender: The United States Supreme Court came to a decision. I think we should incorporate the decision.

Franklin: We need not continue to try to go towards a full ban of abortion.

Back story: Florida House passes ban on abortions after 15 weeks

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: House District 8 debate: Curt Bender, Gallop Franklin on the issues