State House of Representatives District 59
Michael Floyd, Ross Spano, Betty Jo Tompkins and Joe Wicker
Four Republican candidates — including a lawyer, Iraq Army veteran, director of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and retired police officer — battle to take on Democrat Gail Gottlieb and write-in candidate Timothy Edward McCorkle in the fall. — Caitlin Johnston, Times staff writer
| Michael Floyd , 68Retired police captain | Ross Spano, 45Lawyer | Betty Jo Tompkins, 65President of Strategies Plus | Joe Wicker, 34Business manager | |
| Party | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican |
| Experience | Following 25 years as a detective for the Tampa Police Department, Floyd has served as an administrative police captain for the Plant City Police Department for the past two years. He also spent three years as a police officer at the University of Tampa, 12 years as the chief of police for the Seminole Police Department and one year as a law enforcement liaison for the Florida Department of Transportation. | Spano has practiced law for 14 years, during which time he started his own law firm that grew to 14 employees. He is a board member of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce 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. | A consultant in land use, zoning and agriculture, Tompkins spent more than 16 years as executive director of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. She has served as executive director of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and 25 years on the Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Board. She is in her second term as supervisor of the Hillsborough County Soil and Water Conservation District. | Wicker works as business manager for a division of International Paper Co. following his time in the U.S. Army, during which he deployed twice to Iraq. Prior to his time in the Army, he worked in the financial services industry. He served as a committee chairman in the MiraBay community of the Harbor Bay Development District and remains active with the Wounded Warrior Project. |
| Education | Bachelor's in criminal justice from Saint Leo University | Bachelor's in history from the University of South Florida; law degree from Florida State University | Bachelor's in public relations from the University of Florida | Bachelor of arts from Oglethorpe University |
| What else can the Legislature do to grow Florida's economy and create more jobs? | Florida ranks in the top 10 entrepreneurial states, according to Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity. Need to create an environment that's affordable and friendly. We need to network more and bring business and people together. | Reduce corporate tax rates, give small businesses a real property tax credit, repeal the intangible personal property tax and shorten the regulatory approval process for qualified businesses wanting to expand into Florida. | It is possible to make the development and permitting process easier, so that we can be viewed as a state that "welcomes business." Further, incentives to bring in business or expand established businesses can be an effective tool. | Florida needs to increase emphasis on international trade. ... Incentives are great, especially when they are targeted, but we need to finally eliminate the corporate tax in Florida allowing Florida business owners to keep more of their hard-earned money. |
| Should the state be spending more on education? | Not only Florida, but the whole country is falling behind on education. This is not acceptable. More attention should be focused on where is the money going. I would love to do an audit and assessment then get a clear look at the money situation. | The state should be spending an adequate amount necessary to ensure students are graduating ready for a competitive global job market. | We need to realize that students simply aren't the same and the development of successful life skills is essential. I do support increasing school funding as much as possible as funds become available. | Reforming Florida's public schools will require investment, but we can do it by reprioritizing spending, not raising taxes. And, we can find savings in shrinking school district overhead and administration. |
| Should "stand your ground" be changed? Repealed? | I think "stand your ground" is overemphasized. ... On all "stand your ground" incidents, a thorough investigation should be conducted, a debriefing should take place and a decision made based on all the facts and evidence. | I do not believe that "stand your ground" should be changed or repealed. | "Stand your ground" should be reviewed, but not just on the basis of a reaction to the Trayvon Martin case. | No. |
| What would be your top priority in the Legislature? | Public safety with special emphasis on attention to the needs of youth and senior citizens, education and creating jobs. Network with federal, state and local agencies and companies. Develop economic task force and workshop committees to develop a vision, plan and a solution. | 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. | Overhauling the entire statewide social services system to reduce fraud and abuse that costs Floridians billions annually ... reduce burdensome regulations, fees and taxes that stifle economic growth ... enhancing our education systems at all levels. | Get government out of the way of the individual entrepreneur and established businesses. Creating incentives and a positive climate for business owners to want to come to Florida and help diversify Florida's economy and create jobs. |
| Assets | Home, vehicle | Whole life insurance policy, IRA, business ownership interest | Two homes, two cabins, commercial land | Home, 401(k), IRA, stocks, 4.5 acres land, checking, savings |
| Liabilities | Mortgage, auto loan | Student loans, medical bills, auto loan, miscellaneous obligations | Credit cards | Mortgage, student loan, auto loan |
| Income | $64,800 | $152,193.40 | $31,830 | $109,166 |
| Personal | Married to Linda Diane Floyd; five children | Married to Amie; four children | Widow; one son (deceased) | Married to Amy Elam |
| Website | votemikefloyd.com | rossspano.com | bjtompkins.com | joewicker.com |
| mfloyd01@tampabay.rr.com | rspano@csolaw.com | bjt6890@yahoo.com | Joe@JoeWicker.com |
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