Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Yes, Tom Brady DID get a vote

"If you were throwing a dream dinner party and could invite one prominent local or state figure to attend as a guest, who would it be – and why?"

That's what we asked you for our first Online Question of the Week – and, boy, did the dream invites come flying in!

Even our Opinion team got involved in one form or another.

Letters Editor Julie Blomquist said she would invite Tom Brady – the highly telegenic, legendary quarterback who won a Super Bowl for the Tampa Bay Bucs and is now building a Miami mansion – to her dream dinner party.

"I'm so shallow," Blomquist joked.

More: Herald-Tribune: How to send a letter to the editor

Opinion Editor Roger Brown said his dream dinner guest would be celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who has a home in Lake Worth Beach. "I'm sure I could talk him into making some cool cocktails once he arrived," Brown said.

Meanwhile, Opinion columnist Carrie Seidman was nominated by a few readers as the guest they would invite to their dream party.

"Carrie is erudite, humble and caring" and seeks to "bring people together," wrote one reader.

Now here are some of your dream dinner guests:

Mickey Mouse

I would invite His Excellency Mickey Mouse.

Surely you are wondering "Why Mickey?"

At this very moment he is once again preparing to toss his beanie into the ring as the most popular write-in candidate ever for president.

And recently a major newspaper ran this headline: "The Mouse Brought in the Big Guns" – a reference to Disney's effective efforts to overturn draconian legislation that Gov. Ron DeSantis had signed into law.

– Grace Ann Mosher

Casey DeSantis

I would invite Casey DeSantis, Florida's first lady.

Her testimonial commercial about her husband that was broadcast during his re-election campaign brought tears to my eyes almost every time I watched it.

More: First lady Casey DeSantis has been a great ambassador for Florida

It showed her true love and devotion for her husband, something my wife and I share for each other – and something that is often missing from most modern-day relationships.

She would be a great dinner guest.

– Joe Myers

Congressman Greg Steube

I would invite Rep. Greg Steube and serve him an entire humble pie.

A slice would be insufficient.

– Carolyn Fitzpatrick

Local housing advocate Jon Thaxton

Jon Thaxton would be my hands-down choice. I've always been drawn to intelligent, honest and hardworking people who are doggedly focused on making a positive difference in our lives.

Oh, one other thing:

If you asked politely, Jon would probably bring his custom made super-hot gas grill and prepare the most delicious dish of jambalaya or jumbo this side of New Orleans for you and your other guests.

He'd be the perfect guest.

– Rob Patten

Journalist Carl Hiassen

My chosen dinner guest would be Carl Hiassen.

The reason is that for decades he has nailed the seemingly endemic corruption, rapacious developers, paid-off politicians and disrespect for nature that pervades Florida.

And somehow, he has done it with a great deal of humor – though I sense that it is the kind of humor that is the “laughing to keep from crying” type.

– Peter Burkard

Andrew Gillum

I would invite Andrew Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor and Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate who nearly defeated Ron DeSantis in Florida's 2018 governor's race.

I would like to hear from his own lips exactly what happened that caused him to lose the election at the last minute.

– James Keeney

TV personality Linda Carson

I would invite Linda Carson, the co-host of ABC 7's "Suncoast View" show.

Linda is funny, well-informed and a great conversationalist – and she loves food!!

What more could one ask for in a dinner party guest?

– Michael Damian Bell 

Congressman Vern Buchanan

If I were throwing a dream dinner party, I would like to dine with Congressman Vern Buchanan.

I really want to know why Manatee County's 25-year master plan – which included a bridge to Longboat Key from the area of 75th St. W at 53^rd and El Conquistador Parkway, landing near Cannon's Marine – has been deep-sixed.

– Christa  Graham

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood

It would be Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

He is the one public official who always puts community first. He respects his job and the people he serves.

We need more people like him in our state and country positions.

– John McDonald

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor

My choice would be someone my husband and I have discussed for many years.

It would be current Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

Why would we invite Mayor Castor?

To convince her to run for governor of Florida in 2026.

She exemplifies everything you hope for in a leader: courage, strength and wisdom.

She listens, and she hears her constituents.

More: 10 ways DeSantis is making LGBTQ, Black and immigrant communities feel welcome in Florida

Our state will need a great leader in 2026 to get us out of the mess we are currently experiencing. and we believe Jane would tackle it head on. She would be a great candidate.

– Donna and Ty Krebser

Local TV weatherman John Scalzi

I would choose John Scalzi.

He is a refreshing morning voice doing the weather on ABC 7.

He seems like a positive person, and he appears to have a good sense of humor.

He does not overreact during hurricane or storm warnings – he just gives the facts and explains how to prepare.

He would be a welcome, fun guest at any dinner party.

– Brenda Fisher

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Here's who Herald-Tribune readers would invite to a dream dinner party