Newcomer Mary Louise Ambrose says she was motivated to run for office out of dissatisfaction with Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature, which she describes as moving to the political right at the expense of teachers, police and firefighters. She faces Indian Rocks Beach City Commissioner Joanne "Cookie" Kennedy, who sees her local roots and experience as key assets. The primary winner will face Republican Larry Ahern, who is moving into the district. — Andrew Meacham, Times staff writer
| Mary Louise Ambrose, 69 Business owner | | Joanne "Cookie" Kennedy, 52 Business owner |
| Democrat | Party | Democrat |
| She moved to Belleair Bluffs seven years ago from Moorestown, N.J. She is a lawyer who co-owns a property and casualty insurance company. She has owned several other small businesses, including a wedding photography service and a law practice. She is involved with the Belleair Bluffs Business Association, Faith and Action Standing Together (F.A.S.T.), and her Episcopal church. | Experience | Born in Largo, she has served as an Indian Rocks Beach commissioner from 1999 to 2002 and from 2008 to present, including as vice mayor in 2001 and 2010. Kennedy also has served on the Pinellas Planning Council, the Florida League of Cities, and as the planning and zoning chair for Indian Rocks Beach. She has owned a hair salon for 25 years and is proud of her local roots, which she believes are key to understanding issues. |
| She graduated from Rutgers University and its law school. | Education | She graduated from New London Academy of Design, attended Eckerd College. |
| Although she has municipal experience, I think my credentials are much better … I have a law degree, have owned multiple small businesses and am a trained mediator. Those things make me uniquely qualified. | Why should voters choose you over your opponent? | My family has very deep roots in the community. All the issues that are facing education today, I have lived either through myself, my father or my son. I understand how municipal government works and how to take it to the next level. |
| We have to do something about the FCAT. It takes a huge chunk out of a teacher's time and a pupil's time. They are learning to take the test, not the things they need to learn. Music and the arts are being shuttled to the back. | What are your priorities for improving education? | Create a new achievement test that is not used in an improper manner. There are placement and achievement tests used nationally that don't label the students and schools. Stop using the test as a way to measure achievement. |
| My top priority is jobs. I am not talking about $10-an-hour jobs, but good jobs with benefits … This will require the governor and the Legislature coming off their position of "cut corportate taxes" and begin working for small businesses. | What are your thoughts about creating more jobs? | Develop more job opportunities from the infrastructure we have in the state. Bring manufacturing plants from overseas back to Florida as well as seek new development — for instance, light and clean industry. |
| Citizens should be limited to a 10-percent raise in premiums per year. Citizens Insurance should be expanded rather than closed down. The rate structure is adequate. Incentives should be offered to private insurers. | How would you address rising property insurance rates? | I read as much as I could about it. In my opinion, we should try to see about getting back to a national insurance program. That would bring our rates down. What exactly would it take? Why don't we even try to investigate it? |
| Home, business co-owner, retirement plans, checking account. | Assets | Mixed-use home and rental property. |
| Mortgage, home equity loan, credit card. | Liabilities | Mortgage. |
| Insurance business, Social Security. | Income | Hair salon, rental apartment, commissioner's salary. |
| She is married to her business partner, Joe Barkley, has four children and three stepchildren. She likes the Rays and reads "a couple of books a week." | Personal | A teacher's daughter, she is divorced and has a 16-year-old son. She enjoys walks on the beach, analyzing movies and volunteering. |
| marylou4you.com | Website | N/A |
| marylou@joebarkleyagency.com | Email | cookieirb52@gmail.com |
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