Our Economy, Our Future

A Fair and Inclusive Society: Living Wages & Sustainable Growth

Small businesses are the backbone of our tourist economy and what makes Southwest Florida such a unique place to live. As a long time, small scale farmer, I have spent many years helping to lift up and educate entrepreneurs in successful sales of their product to market. 

When we are unable to work - for example, when the Covid-19 pandemic caused mass layoffs in SWFL - we need access to a functioning unemployment system to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. I pledge to work with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help our unemployment system run smoothly. I will work towards a future of overall economic prosperity, where we create opportunities for all members of society to earn living wages.

Health Care is a Human Right

We all deserve affordable health insurance and an American standard of care.

I support expanding access to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. The consequences of being uninsured are significant. Uninsured patients often do not receive proper medical care, and are up to four times more likely than insured patients to require hospitalizations and emergency care. 

Healthcare sustains us and should be affordable and accessible for everyone — where they need it, when they need it, no exceptions and no interruptions. I am determined to introduce and support legislative proposals that preserve and expand access and affordability within our healthcare system.

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I support a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions.

Think Green, Vote Blue

Environmental rights are human rights!

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We must take swift steps towards combating climate change, building a clean energy economy, and securing environmental justice for our community. 

I am a lifelong environmental educator. As the former Resource Naturalist at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers, and the Executive Director of Shell Factory Nature Park in North Fort Myers, I rescued illegally owned native and exotic wildlife from neglectful and abusive situations to rehabilitate them “Animal Ambassadors”. I also built numerous educational exhibits that you can still see today! More recently, I volunteer as the Executive Director of an adventure-based science and arts camp for underprivileged youth, where we focus on water quality and conservation along the Caloosahatchee and its watershed. I am also the Secretary of the Hendry Democratic Environmental Caucus, and a Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger and Non-tidal Caloosahatchee Zone Leader with the Calusa Waterkeepers.

The protection of the Caloosahatchee River & Estuary, Lake Okeechobee, Nicodemus Slough, Charlotte Harbor, Estero Bay, the near-shore waters of Lee County, and their watersheds, is crucial. I am determined to discover and help implement new strategies for reducing nutrient flow into Florida waters and to hold polluters accountable.

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Voting Rights

As a community leader, I have been working to inspire and engage citizens to register and vote, and have continued to combat the many barriers that alienate or discourage voters.

I strongly encourage voting by mail - especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic. I strongly support automatic voter registration. I support 2018's Amendment 4, giving returning citizens their legal right to vote and oppose any form of a "Poll Tax."