State Senate District 17
John Korsak, John Legg, Rob Wallace
Incumbent Jim Norman dropped out of this race not long after Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, jumped in. Now it's Legg, former state Rep. Rob Wallace and political newcomer John Korsak vying for the Republican nomination in a district redrawn to pick up a bigger slice of Pasco County, Legg's home turf. — Jodie Tillman, Times staff writer| John Korsak, 40 Security consultant | John Legg, 37 Charter school founder | Rob Wallace, 60 Engineer | |
| Party | Republican | Republican | Republican |
| Experience | Korsak is a former U.S. Secret Service agent who now runs his own consulting firm. He volunteered at Bush-Cheney transition headquarters and for the McCain-Palin presidential campaign in 2008. He has won the endorsement of Liberty Takeover 2012, a conservative action group concerned about what it perceives as federal encroachment into state powers. | Legg was first elected to the House in 2004. Last year, he served as the House's speaker pro-tem, and he has been endorsed by a number of prominent Republicans, including former Gov. Jeb Bush, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate leadership. In the House, he represented west Pasco but is using his wife's Trinity home to run in Senate District 17. | Wallace, who owns an engineering firm, served in the House from 1994 to 2002 before stepping down due to term limits. He served last year on the board of directors for Citizens Insurance Corp. He was also appointed by then-Senate president Mike Haridopolos in 2011 to a government efficiency task force. |
| Education | Bachelor's degree in intelligence from American Military University, an online university. 2007 master's degree in public policy from George Mason University | Bachelor's degree in social work and master's degree in public administration from the University of South Florida | Bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of South Florida |
| Should the state be spending more on public education? | No. Schools need to first reduce their administrative and overhead costs, and put more financial focus on the educators and those being educated. | Yes, when state revenues increase. But no if the additional money is not available without raising taxes. "Fortunately this year, even in a tight budget year, we were able to increase funding for public education." | No. Per-student spending is basically where it should be given the economy. "We have been through the worst recession in this century and I think Florida has done as well as it could for education at all levels." |
| Should "stand your ground" be repealed? | No. | No. | No, but the Legislature may need to change the law to make the interpretation more clear. |
| How can the Legislature grow the economy and create jobs? | Reduce regulation from the Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection and streamline the business filing and fee system. | Continue streamlining the permitting process. Move toward an online "one-stop shop" for developers. Continue offering economic incentives for new businesses and expansions. | Dedicate 10 percent of new revenue to a "rainy day" fund; 10 percent of revenue to pay down bonds early; 10 percent to tax credits and incentives for new jobs. |
| How would you change the state's tax system? | Would eliminate all excise taxes and tax loopholes for specific products and industries. Only then should a tax on Internet sales be implemented, which could be up to 1 percent higher than the standard state sales tax. | Does not support any new taxes, including ones on Internet sales. Says a bigger priority should be stopping the practice of using one-time sources of revenue to cover shortfalls. | Says the current system is adequate, though the Legislature could repeal certain sales tax exemptions. Says he believes current law allows Internet purchases to be taxed. |
| What would be your top priority in the Legislature? | Develop and present legislation for a new tax policy. | Top issues are creating good jobs, making affordable property insurance available, and quality education. | Push legislation that would create a $1,000 state tax credit for small businesses, other than franchises, that create a full-time job paying at least $15 an hour. |
| What would your priorities be for transportation, including mass transit? | Opposes toll-financed projects as well as mass transit. Says "determining total cost of operation and capital improvements should determine our tax rate." | Toll-financed roads and investment in ports should be part of a long-term plan. Supports mass transit "when the density and economics for self-sufficiency can be demonstrated." | Supports investments in ports and airports, along with toll-financed roads. Doesn't see need at this point for intrastate mass transit. |
| Assets | Home, retirement and bank accounts | Port Richey house, retirement, checking | Two homes, commercial and residential rental properties, stocks, boat, car |
| Liabilities | Home mortgage, car loan, two lines of credit | Two mortgages on Port Richey home | Bank loans |
| Income | $120,000 | $29,697 state salary and $50,000 as Dayspring Academy administrator | $102,500 from Environmental Engineering Consulting, $21,000 in rental income |
| Personal | Married to Lisa, they have four children ages 4 to 10. Lived in district for four years. | Married to Suzanne, they have four children. Grew up in west Pasco. | Married to Ann, they have four children and a grandson. Lived in Forest Hills area since 1975. |
| Website | korsak4senate.com | electjohnlegg.com | robwallaceforsenate.com |
| john@korsak4senate.com | jlegg2012@gmail.com | rob@robwallaceforsenate.com |
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