Surprising Facts….

Election day is fast approaching and if you are like me, you are flummoxed by the hefty number of ballet choices – Judges, District Court of Appeals, State House, County Commissioners and more. 

It’s not surprising that research shows that more than 30% of voters often don’t even bother filling out their entire ballot when they vote – either early, in person on election day or by mail. Is it apathy or a lack of information about some of the less covered and more obscure races and candidates? Most likely a little bit of both.

Political science professors have called this the SAT effect — when you don’t know, leave it blank.
 
On www.vox.xom, an important finding hit home: 
Elected officials matter all the way down the ballot. 
 
They make decisions that affect our lives every day — from monitoring water quality to levying taxes and deciding how that money will be used in choosing the leadership of our schools. If these officials make poor policy decisions, the consequence can be costly.
 
I laughed out loud at this statement: A lot of people simply take a guess on candidate choice based on candidate name, position on the ballet, ethnicity, and gender. I confess to being guilty on this count.
 
On one particular race, though, I can confidently take the guess work out of it. 
 
My son, HARRY COHEN, is running for re-election for Hillsborough County Commissioner District 1.
 
HARRY has racked up a slew of endorsements, beginning with the Tampa Bay Times:

Cohen, a 52-year-old Tampa attorney, was first elected to the county commission in 2020 after serving eight years on the Tampa City Council. In both posts, he has been a strong advocate for smart growth, transportation improvements and investing in the core infrastructure that makes communities tick…

He understands that managing growth is key to protecting Hillsborough’s competitiveness and quality of life. Cohen supports resiliency efforts to better protect people and property from coastal flooding. While he supports some tax incentives to business, Cohen says they must be limited in scope and targeted to “concrete” goals.

Cohen …brings an unusual combination of competence, creativity and level headedness to county government. He is widely respected for his collegial approach to problem solving and the responsiveness he provides his constituents.
For Hillsborough County Commission District 1, the Tampa Bay Times recommends Harry Cohen
 
Harry has also been endorsed by: 
Greater Tampa Realtors 
Teamsters Local 79 
SEIU Florida 
the Tampa Police Benevolent Association
Equality Florida
Moms Demand Action
AFL-CIO’s West Central Florida Labor Council
and Hillsborough County Firefighters Local 2294
La Gaceta
Florida Sentinel 
 
HARRY ran against Jane Castor for mayor in 2019. At one of the candidate debates, Jane was asked if she were not running, who on the stage of the seven other candidates would she vote for? Her answer: HARRY COHEN.
 
Jane is still a fan of Harry’s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz91Gqn3D7I
 
Harry currently serves and serves honorably and well on the following boards:
Transportation Planning Organization – Chair
Port Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Water
Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
Value Adjustment Board
David A. Straz Jr. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
Tampa Museum of Art
.
HARRY brings great continuity and good judgement. 
Electing HARRY will ensure that our government will work properly for the benefit of our community.
 
I admit I’m just wild about HARRY COHEN. 
And I admit I feel strongly that my son HARRY COHEN is the guy for the job. I hope you will support him on November 8^th.
www.ElectHarryCohen.com
 
Harry’s contact info:
https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/government/board-of-county-commissioners/harry-cohen
 
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
 
Iris Ruth Pastor