Anderson, Yantz running in Democratic primary for Florida House District 33 seat
No Democrat has held what now is the Florida House District 33 seat since the late Harry C. Goode Jr. finished his term in 1992. Even the six-term Melbourne mayor switched to the Republican Party in 1998 before returning to city government.
Now, two Democrats ― Vernon Mitchell Anderson Jr. and Anthony Yantz ― are battling for the Florida House District 33 seat, and hope to break that 32-year losing streak for Democrats on Nov. 5.
First, they must face each other in the Aug. 20 primary to see who will go up against the winner of a GOP primary between four Republican candidates trying for the seat, currently held by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach. The Republican candidates are Mike Limongello, Logan Luse, Monique Miller and Erika Orriss.
Fine, who is term-limited out, is running for the Florida Senate District 19 seat. Sen. Debbie Mayfield holds that seat, but can't run for it again because of term limits, so she's running for the House District 32 seat, and faces former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon in an Aug. 20 Republican primary.
The Florida House of Representatives District 33 seat has a two-year term, with a salary of $29,697 a year.
Anderson, 56, of West Melbourne, is a defense contractor who served 22 years in the Air Force. He also has served on the West Melbourne Planning and Zoning Board.
He faces, Yantz, a 37-year-old Realtor from Palm Bay, in the Aug. 20 primary.
What they say are the biggest issues
The candidates are not widely known in the community. So how can voters tell them apart? To find out, FLORIDA TODAY asked who they are, what they think are the key issues and what they'd do to address them.
Here's how each responded:
Anderson: "My No. 1 priority is saving our democracy," Anderson said. "Action I would take would be to legislate the challenges of voting out the process, as well as creating processes to assist with affordable housing.
"I would also focus on human rights, specifically a woman's right to choose. Next, I would work hard to repeal the abortion restrictions."
Yantz: He listed these as top issues: "I want to tackle the insurance crisis. I want to tackle the affordability of homes and rentals. I want to continue to expand on the environmental efforts locally. I want to help gain more funding for local municipalities to improve our roadways, police, fire, EMS training and times."
"All of these will take a culmination of efforts, including getting local residents to take action with me to get funding for these necessary projects," Yantz said. "It will take a concerted effort on behalf of other local officials to take part in the efforts to make meaningful change for our communities."
District 33 Republican candidates: Four Republicans seek to fill Randy Fine's District 33 seat in Florida House
Campaign financing
Anderson: Campaign contributions raised (through July 19): $11,283.22 in monetary contributions, $3,158 in in-kind contributions, $9,387 spent and $90 in other expenditures.
Yantz: Campaign contributions raised (through July 19): $6,575 in monetary contributions, $6,157 spent.
Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903 or [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter at @JWayEnviro.
More on the candidates
Vern Anderson
Where do you live? West Melbourne
Age: 56
Occupation: Defense contractor
Education: Master's degree in aeronautical science and management; bachelor's degrees in aeronautics; associate in applied science safety program management; associate in applied science instructor of technology and military science; associate in applied science aircraft systems maintenance technology
Political/government/civic experience: 22 years in U.S. Air Force; served on planning and zoning boards of West Melbourne; served on Aviation and Aeronautical Consortium Committees; international experience in Air Force security assistance training, logistics and acquisitions; served on the board of directors for the Community Revitalization Committee (formerly Space Coast Arts and Business Organization; serve on the Concerned Citizens Committee of South Melbourne, West Melbourne Recreational Advisory Committee; attends City Council meetings in Palm Bay, West Melbourne and Melbourne municipalities.
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-345-3846
Website or Facebook page: www.andersoncampaign2024.com and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559794439049
Anthony Yantz
Where do you live? Palm Bay
Age: 37
Occupation: Self-employed Realtor
Education: Some college
Political/government/civic experience: Outside running my last campaign, no experience. I’ve done lots of volunteer work over the years.
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-312-9189
Website or Facebook page: Standwithyantz.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @standwithyantz
Twitter: @yantzforflorida
TikTok: @Anthony Yantz & @genz4yantz
Threads: @AnthonyYantz
YouTube: @Standwithyantz
Reddit: U/standwithyantz
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Two Democrats face off in primary for Florida House District 33 seat
