This race pits lawyer against lawyer. Gail Gottlieb is licensed by the Maryland Bar Association and has spent 25 years in public policy and service positions. Ross Spano is a Florida lawyer with 14 years experience and his own law firm.
State House | District 59This race pits lawyer against lawyer. Gail Gottlieb is licensed by the Maryland Bar Association and has spent 25 years in public policy and service positions. Ross Spano is a Florida lawyer with 14 years experience and his own law firm. Shelley Rossetter, Times staff writer
About the job: District 59 covers Brandon, Riverview and Valrico. State representatives serve two-year terms and earn $29,697 a year.
| Gail Gottlieb, 52Caregiver | Ross Spano, 46Lawyer | |
| Democrat | Party | Republican |
| Raised in Brandon, Gottlieb has worked as an attorney for the Federal Education Association, was in the Peace Corps Small Business Development program and served as a program manager for the human rights organization Boat People SOS. She cares for her elderly, disabled mother, is a member of the Hillsborough County League of Women Voters and is the director of programs for the East Hillsborough County Democratic Club. | Experience | Spano has practiced law for 14 years, during which time he started his own firm that grew to 14 employees. He is a board member of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce and the Community Issues Council and an advisory board member for Camp Cristina YMCA. He has previously served as the president of Brandon Business Network International Chapter and was chairman of the 2012 Teacher of the Year celebration. |
| Bachelor's degree in psychology from Boston College; law degree from Washington College of Law at American University | Education | Bachelor's degree in history from the University of South Florida; law degree from Florida State University |
| I would close the corporate loopholes that allow corporations to artificially shift their profits to out-of-state subsidiaries and to incorporate offshore. I also support ensuring accountability through an oversight process to determine whether Florida's already generous corporate tax breaks and incentives have served their intended purpose in creating jobs. | What else can the Legislature do to grow Florida's economy and create more jobs? | Reduce corporate tax rates, give small businesses a real property tax credit, repeal the tangible personal property tax and shorten the regulatory approval process for qualified businesses wanting to expand into Florida. |
| Yes. Despite this year's $1 billion in additional funding for education, this comes on the heels of $1.5 billion in cuts since Gov. Rick Scott took office, and leaves state education spending 12 percent below 2007-08. | Should the state be spending more on education? | The state should be spending an adequate amount necessary to ensure students are graduating ready for a competitive global job market and place more emphasis on vocational training, apprenticeships and partnerships between business and education. |
| The law needs thorough re-evaluation, since it is too often used by aggressors who go looking for a fight, ties the hands of the police in conducting investigations and raises our society's tolerance for violence. | Should "stand your ground" be changed? Repealed? | I do not believe that "stand your ground" should be changed or repealed. |
| Good jobs and a vibrant, fair economy are my top priority. Although most growth stems from a dynamic private sector, government can help create the conditions for growth by taxing fairly and spending wisely. | What would be your top priority in the Legislature? | My top priority would be to create a business-friendly environment that would encourage businesses to relocate to the state and encourage existing businesses to expand their operations within the state. |
| Vehicles, IRA, checking, savings, investments | Assets | Whole life insurance policy, IRA, business ownership interest |
| None | Liabilities | Student loans, medical bills, auto loan, miscellaneous obligations |
| None | Income | $152,193.40 |
| Married to Andrew L. Yarrow; one stepson | Personal | Married to Amie; four children |
| gailgottlieb.com | Website | rossspano.com |
| votegail@gmail.com | rspano@csolaw.com |
Florida House District 59: Gail Gottlieb (D), Ross Spano (R)
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