House District 91: Gossett-Seidman and Thomson vie for seat vacated by Emily Slosberg
Peggy Gossett-Seidman and Andy Thomson will face each other in November for a chance to represent southern Palm Beach County in the Florida House for the seat that has been occupied for 12 years by Emily Slosberg-King, who isn't seeking re-election.
Republican candidate Gossett-Seidman, 69, has served on the Highland Beach Town Commission since 2018. She has lived in the area for the past 31 years and works in public relations.
Thomson, who calls himself a moderate Democrat, was elected to the Boca Raton City Council during a special election in 2018. He was re-elected without opposition in March 2020. Born in Boca Raton, Thomson, 40, currently serves as a business attorney with local firm Baritz & Colman LPP.
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Redistricting turned House District 91 a lighter shade of blue. Now, the district will comprise Boca Raton, Highland Beach and parts of Western Boca.
Members of the Florida House of Representatives serve two-year terms. They are limited to four 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.
The candidates below are listed in alphabetical order, using the names that will appear on the ballot.
Florida District 91 candidate: Peggy Gossett-Seidman (Republican)
Age and residence: Gossett-Seidman, 69, lives in Highland Beach.
Platform: Gossett-Seidman's top campaign priorities include inflation, low taxes, traffic, flooding and infrastructure improvements, clean water and waterways and public security and safety.
"I have strong background and experience in research and asking the right questions as a previous journalist to improve the community of Boca Raton and the beaches," she said. "As commissioner in [a] small to midsize municipality, I work hands-on along with my fellow commissioners to research and take action to advance town issues. We do not have the luxury of large staff and so each of us serves based upon our experience to advocate and secure improvements to the town."
Professional history: In the past 10 years, Gossett-Seidman has served as commissioner for the town of Highland Beach, office manager for Dr. Barry Seidman and as a media and writing consultant.
Education: Gossett-Seidman holds a bachelor of arts with honors from Michigan State University, where she studied English, creative writing and journalism.
Social media presence: Gossett-Seidman is active on her campaign's Facebook page and Instagram page.
Criminal history: None.
Endorsements: Gossett-Seidman has received support from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, House Speaker-elect Paul Renner, Florida representatives Chip LaMarca, Mike Caruso, Rick Roth and Randy Fine, Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig, Royal Palm Beach Councilman Jeff Hmara, Lake Park Commissioner John Linden, Riviera Beach Councilwoman Julie Botel, Highland Beach Mayor Doug Hillman, Highland Beach Vice Mayor Natasha Moore, Highland Beach comissioners John Shoemaker and Evalyn David. She also has received support from state organizations Forward Florida Action, FECA, Florida Family Action and FICPA, among others.
Finances: Gossett-Seidman's major financial supporters are friends, family and the Republican Party. She has raised around $341,900, and spent around $206,700.
ISSUES
Abortion: Gossett-Seidman opposes a ban on all abortions, with no exceptions, as well as a ban on abortion once a heartbeat is detected.
"As a current elected official twice sworn-in to uphold all laws, I support the current state law pertaining to [abortion]."
Parental rights in education: "I support the current laws on the books after having researched the process and materials," she said.
Gun rights: Gossett-Seidman does not support open carry.
"I support, as a sworn-in elected official, current Florida State Statutes," she said. "I will thoroughly review any possible future legislation pertaining to these issue as they cross my desk."
Home rule: "I am a strong advocate for home rule, especially as a five-year member of League of Cities, except where state control is necessary to divide continuity," she said.
Recreational marijuana: Gossett-Seidman opposes any legislation that would legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use.
Immigration: "I support immigration, though it should be legal whereby they receive tax IDs and pay taxes," she said. "We need to increase our workforce."
Voting: "With Wendy Sartory Link as SOE (Supervisor of Elections), and as I worked — as did her father — for The Post, I feel her changes to the election process are solid," she said. "I heard her speak to these changes last year for an hour in a special presentation."
Florida District 91 candidate: Andy Thomson (Democrat)
Age and residence: Thomson, 40, lives in Boca Raton.
Platform: Thomson's top campaign priorities are lowering costs for families, increasing housing affordability, protecting women’s rights, implementing common sense gun legislation, strengthening the economy and keeping a tireless focus on public safety.
At the local level, he will focus on increasing housing affordability, stabilizing and lowering property insurance premiums, improving and upgrading infrastructure, including more effective traffic and mobility solutions and responsibly funding public education with a focus on students and classroom needs.
"The representative for the newly drawn District 91 will represent the entire city of Boca Raton, Highland Beach and parts of West Boca," he said. "I have served the entire City of Boca Raton on our city council since 2018 and, before that, previously lived in West Boca. As a result, I know our area far more comprehensively than my opponent and have a proven record of delivering results that respond to the needs of families, seniors, and the small businesses that sustain our local economy."
Professional history: In the past 10 years, Thomson has served as a council member for the city of Boca Raton, senior counsel at Boca Raton firm Baritz & Colman LLP and attorney at Proskauer Rose LLP.
Education: Thomson holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
Social media presence: Thomson is active on Twitter.
Criminal history: None.
Endorsements: Thomson has received support from state senators Tina Polsky, Lori Berman, Shevrin Jones and Bobby Powell, state representatives Emily Slosberg-King, Joe Casello and Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Education Association, among various other organizations, elected officials and businesses.
Finances: Thomson has received broad support from local residents, community leaders, family members, friends, business groups and community organizations. He anticipates spending around $500,000.
ISSUES
Abortion: "I oppose a ban on all abortions that contains no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking," he said.
Parental rights in education: "I support the repeal of this law," he said of a bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis that prohibits school districts from encouraging discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3, or in a way that is age or developmentally inappropriate. "Government shouldn't target one group like that. The better solution would be to eliminate all discussions regarding sex for the youngest students (i.e., grade 3 and below)."
Disney: "I support repealing that law," he said about DeSantis signing a bill this year to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to effectively self-govern its properties in Florida through the Reedy Creek Improvement District. "It punished a private business over political speech."
Gun rights: "I do not support open carry, which would create a Wild West environment in Florida and make our community more dangerous," he said. "Instead, I support stronger red flag laws, expanding background checks, and age restrictions on semi-automatic weapons."
Recreational marijuana: "There is a push to get an amendment to the Florida Constitution permitting recreational marijuana on the ballot in 2024," he said. "I support the voters having a say on that issue then."
Immigration: "I do not support the Governor's actions there," he said of DeSantis recently ordering nearly 50 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to be flown to Martha’s Vineyard. "Using vulnerable women and children as political props is disgraceful, and the use of public funds to create political theatre is not what the taxpayers expect their money is being spent on."
Voting: "I oppose those restrictions on voting," he said of new laws signed by DeSantis to make it tougher to vote by mail, limit the use of ballot drop boxes and create an Election Crimes and Security investigative force to pursue allegations of wrongdoing. "Our elections are already secure. We should not be spending time in the legislature attempting to restrict access to voting. Instead, we should be making voting more accessible and increasing funding for voter education initiatives."
Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on Twitter at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gossett-Seidman, Thomson square off for House District 91
