Leon County Commission, District 2: A voter's guide to the 2022 primary election
Basic info
Type of race: Non-partisan
Who can vote: All registered voters residing in District 2
What's next: Any candidate who wins 50% plus one of the vote will be elected. If no one tops 50%, the race will proceed to a run-off election in November.
How much does this position pay: $83,945
Campaign coverage
Who's an R and who's a D? A partisan guide to Leon County nonpartisan races
Manny Joanos files for County Commission seat of the late Jimbo Jackson
Candidates
Sabrina M. Allen
Age: declined to give age
Profession: Fifth teacher
Qualifications: Graduated Florida State University with three degrees including a bachelor's and master's in English. Previously ran for superintendent of schools and received almost 25,000 votes.
Website: none
Q1: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: I am qualified to be a County Commissioner for District 2 because I have lived in our district for 38 years and in Tallahassee all my life. I love Tallahassee, but I don’t like the direction in which our city is headed. We are desperately in need of a change. “People not Politics” is my tagline. I will listen to the residents of District 2 and help get their needs met. I will always be honest with them, and I will do what is right. I will manage Leon County's money as judiciously as I manage my own.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: If I could accomplish one thing in office, it would be to work with the city to reduce crime, so that all residents in Leon County can enjoy a good quality of life. We deserve it!
Lynda Gayle Bell
Age: 65
Profession: Real estate professional
Qualifications: Vice mayor and mayor of Homestead; county commissioner, Miami-Dade; served on Florida Communities Trust; understanding of the budget process and daily county operations; business owner.
Website: Facebook.com/VoteLyndaBell
Q: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: I have served in many facets of government as both an elected official and a City Manager. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to serve my community from day 1. As Budget chairwoman our city and county won awards for budgeting. I’m a strong fiscal conservative who believes in a lower tax burden for our residents. I understand the plight of small business and their struggles. This economy is hurting the families of District 2, they need an advocate who will stand up and speak up on their behalf. I care deeply about my community.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: I will strive to improve the quality of lives of our residents I have lived here for many years and our district is in great need. Our roads are in poor shape, many are unpaved, our parks are lacking and there are slim activities for our children. Our businesses need support, I pledge to be a full time commissioner. This position demands full time attention and our residents deserve someone who will make them a top priority. As a strong supporter of law enforcement, I received the endorsement of the PBA and the Leon County Sheriff’s. Our residents deserve safety.
Christian Caban
Age: 30
Profession: Business owner
Qualifications: Small business owner, nonprofit board member, community volunteer and advocate.
Website: christiancaban.com
Column from the candidate: It’s time for District 2 to step out of the shadow | Christian Caban
Q: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: District 2 is unique in Leon County due to it essentially being five different sub-communities all with different problems and needs. I’m the ideal candidate for District 2 because I have accumulated valuable experience with running my own businesses. I have seen first-hand through my time as a nonprofit board member and community volunteer the needs of our community. I can apply this knowledge and offer practical solutions to improve District 2 and our county at large. I am eager to listen and learn from our community, tackle problems and offer efficient solutions.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: If I had to choose just one thing to accomplish in office it would be giving our youth equitable access to educational and workforce development tools so that our youth in District 2 can thrive as they mature into our community. This is a problem that is currently not addressed with the correct sense of urgency. Especially in District 2. Let’s give our youth the resources so they can be successful – Over time we will see this shape our community for generations to come.
Hannah Crow
Age: 29
Profession: Communications professional
Qualifications: I have deep roots in District 2. Before there was a race, I addressed our area’s needs. I’m a strong communicator with extensive board experience.
Website: votehannahcrow.com
Column from the candidate: I was an advocate for Fort Braden long before there was a race to run | Hannah Crow
Q: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: I believe my greatest strength and what makes me the ideal candidate to serve District 2 is my ability to ask tough questions, listen and passionately and effectively advocate for our residents. I have proven my ability to identify key stakeholders, address concerns, cultivate productive conversations that give a voice to our needs, connect resources and find resolutions. I have a strong relationship with our business community and Leon County administration through my current professional and advocacy work. I can achieve what I’ve done in my community in a district-wide capacity.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: This job, this responsibility, is all-encompassing. In fact, no one issue can be solved unless we learn how to be better together – even in the midst of our differences. That is what I want to accomplish while serving. I will accomplish moving our communities forward by being a voice that can bring extremes to consensus focusing on the greater good of the people. I will remain determined to find common ground, moving the district and the greater Leon County area forward by giving a sound, constructive voice to those who have felt unheard and underserved.
Will Crowley
Age: 31
Profession: Budget analyst at the FSU College of Medicine
Qualifications: Urban Planning and Public Administration graduate degrees. Previously served four years as Legislative Budget Analyst, House Appropriations; District 2 Representative, Leon County Democratic Party.
Website: willforleon.com
Column from the candidate: Voters, follow the money. Then decide if our ‘paradise’ is at risk | Opinion
Q: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: With my strong background in public policy and budget, I won’t need to rely on unelected staff to do my thinking for me. Yet my education and professional experience haven’t sanitized me or made me forget my humble roots. I waited tables for nearly a decade before my first state OPS position. I know what it’s like to rely on tips to pay rent and to have your home sold out from underneath you on short notice. I have the skillset and the perspective necessary to fight for the working people of District 2.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: My top goal is to restore public trust. Without it we cannot effectively address critical issues like affordable housing or gun violence. Local government is broken, and the neglect and irresponsible spending of our leadership has disillusioned many in my district. Instead of prioritizing developers and other special interests, I will work hand in hand with every neighborhood in southwest Tallahassee, Fort Braden and Woodville to develop our own strategic plan. Together we’ll identify our collective concerns, the strategies we will use to address them, and the metrics by which we will evaluate progress.
Max Epstein
Age: 34
Profession: Artist and DeVoe Moore Center researcher
Qualifications: Bachelor's in fine art and science; storm water expert with Tallahassee Sewage and Wakulla Basin Advocacy Group; successful $750,000 Frenchtown Cultural Art Center grant.
Website: maxforleon.com
Column from the candidate: Why the county commission needs a true environmentalist | Max Epstein
Q: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: I'm heavily involved in the city, county, CRA, and Blueprint, exposing transparency issues, and most recently hired by the DeVoe Moore Center to examine local government's planning and use of eminent domain to construct FAMU Way, and the initial results are shocking. I fight for our neighborhoods and historically Black communities — not special interests. By electing me, you will reduce government corruption, serve to attract business investment, protect our natural resources, and work to provide much-needed infrastructure for our district. It's time 32304, 32310 and other zipcodes have a strong voice.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: The County Commission recently approved my grant proposal for up to $3 million in innovative technology that immediately cleans up toxic algae and muck that is making people and pets sick with respiratory distress, cough, eczema, hospitalization, and neurological symptoms. My One Water Leon proposal upgrades existing stormwater facilities and places Blueprint's final wetland treatment facility on the west side of the lake to act as a "kidney," keeping the lake clean going forward. A huge win for Wakulla Springs with a goal of lowering the daily nitrogen load into Lake Munson...
Manny Joanos
Age: 65
Profession: Leon County School Board employee working for Lively
Qualifications: Former Leon County commissioner; owned and operated a local restaurant for 28 years and never missed a payroll; working with Leon County Schools.
Website: mannyjoanos.com
Q: What makes you the ideal candidate to tackle the problems of the moment?
A: I believe I bring the most competent skillset forward to help our community. My past experience in local government, my career as a local business man, and my experience working with youth at Lively and Godby High School are evidence of my passion and commitment to our community.
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be? (be specific)
A: I would like to help bring confidence and integrity back to our local government. We can achieve this by making decisions more transparent, and working with the local leadership within District 2 to find measurable ways to improve government services to our community.
Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Election 2022: Leon County Commission, District 2: A voter's guide
