Florida House of Representatives: 2024 Primary

Jonsson: My priorities are to reign in rising costs impacting Florida’s residents and businesses, uphold the rule of law and support law enforcement, and improve our education system to empower parents and invest in workforce education.

McArthur: I. Cost of Insurance
II. Workforce Education
III. Conservation and quality of water, and conservation of land

McDonough: Fixing Florida’s Insurance Crisis, State Immigration Reform & Border Security with Full Support of our Law Enforcement, and Parents Rights in Education. I am deeply committed to addressing these pressing issues with practical solutions that uphold our conservative Christian values. Illegal immigration and insufficient border security significantly impact our community, straining public resources, increasing crime rates, and creating challenges for local businesses and workers.

Wilkinson: 1) Stop Sprawl/regulation interference
2) Affordability- 490K mostly young fled FL 2022. Cut taxes/auto insurance etc
3) Legal Reform. Every major issue will be impacted. We need to axe 2 laws for every new one. End Lawfare and what Gov Chiles called “Lawyer Relief Bills” drawing his vetoes.
And, Sen. Martin Chair of FL Sen. Criminal Justice Committee said of the Leo Schofield conviction, “Everything about this case turns my stomach” creating “a whole lot of doubt about Justice here.” (Bone Valley)

Jonsson: My family raised me with the principle that in everything you do in life, you must leave it better than you found it. I am running because I believe it is our duty to provide a safe and prosperous world for our next generation. It is also important that House District 49 has a Representative who understands what makes our community special as well as the challenges it faces. I believe I am the best person to represent and fight for the families and businesses of House District 49.

McArthur: To ensure our communities are safe and to make sure we have resources that are needed to maintain safety and the rule of law in our communities. Safeguard parental choice and expand workforce education. Conserve Florida’s Heartland and its resources. Strengthen our economy and lower costs and reduce any taxes, inflation, or regulation that will negatively impact businesses and families. I want to protect against any entity or persons who wish to destroy or remove our Constitutional rights.

McDonough: With a proven track record of advocacy for youth, teachers, law enforcement, and veterans, Shawn proudly brings his heartfelt commitment to serving into the political arena. He has previously served as chairman of Heartland for Children. As a dedicated conservationist and highly involved member of Ducks Unlimited, Shawn has been an outspoken positive role model for our youth. Shawn is a proud Polk County resident who cherishes our way of life and is dedicated to protecting and sustaining that.

Wilkinson: A traumatic series of events beginning in 1989 was a catalyst to run for School Board in 1994 and now for the State House.“Bone Valley” the #1 crime podcast worldwide is about a murderous, drug fueled Lakeland gang. Catching my 12 year old step daughter in its vicious web, it hooked her with Meth on the Southwest Middle campus. One died in Melanie’s arms in a drug shootout. Another, who invaded and robbed us, murdered. Bone Valley points to misdeeds in our Justice complex we must rectify.

Jonsson: Yes, and we must do more to increase resources that help women carry their baby to birth.

McArthur: Yes.

McDonough: As a Christian, I firmly believe in the sanctity of life and the importance of protecting the unborn. Therefore, I oppose Amendment 4, which seeks to provide a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability, estimated to be around 24 weeks, or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. I’m supporting the current status of a 6-week limit.

Wilkinson: f you want to save lives, its bad. I support Options for Women. They say Sonograms prevent abortions by 50%. Because many don’t know they’re pregnant at 6 wks and can’t sonogram, they’ll be under great pressure to hurry for abortion pills via Telehealth before the 10th wk cutoff unlike they would’ve at 15 weeks (& longer carried likelier kept). Polls show Amendment passing. It wouldn’t if still 15 wks. Sadly, stats already show Fla is #2 to Calif. in abortions.

Jonsson: First off, I oppose any legislation that would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. We must fully support our law enforcement heroes and provide them with the resources needed to protect the public, while toughening penalties for violent offenders and gang members to keep them off our streets.

McArthur: 60% of gun violence is suicide. If the legislature does anything it needs to look at the root causes to these acts.

McDonough: I am a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. We must protect these rights. As a lifetime avid hunter and conservationist, I firmly believe in preserving our traditions, supporting wildlife management, boosting our economy, and upholding individual rights. I deeply support law enforcement and will work to ensure our communities are safe. We need to provide the resources, funding, and training necessary to ensure public safety.

Wilkinson: Further restrict Violent Video games.
Red Flag Laws must meet testable criteria like positive tests for hard drugs. No “he said, she said.”
With so many fatherless sons, violent video games and drugs I wouldn’t lower the age to purchase AR-15’s to 18. There’s no constitutional issue with it staying 21. Heck, Founder’s said you had to be a male landowner to vote! Some tell me it should be a parent’s decision and there should be no age limit whatsoever.
Monitor students w serious mental issues.

Jonsson: I am pleased the legislature has recognized the importance of alleviating insurance costs & taken steps to address the issue, but there is more to be done – especially to ensure rate reductions & promised savings are passed down to homeowners. We should create an Insurance Fraud Task Force to root out any corruption in the system & protect ratepayers by ensuring costs are reduced & that people receive the coverage they purchased without having to fight tooth & nail or wait months or years.

McArthur: I have mediated hundreds of property insurance claims in the past few years and understand how complex Florida’s insurance crisis is. Florida has long been known for its judicial hell hole. Currently, the legislature has only checked one side of the issue but there needs to be accountability on both sides. We should be cautious not to unintentionally embolden one side over the other. One thing we need to do is limit third parties’ abilities to inflate the cost of damages.

McDonough: As a REALTOR, I propose addressing Florida’s property insurance by implementing comprehensive regulatory reform to reduce frivolous litigation streamlining the claims process. Creating incentives like tax breaks for insurers can attract more competition and potentially lower premiums. Investing in disaster preparedness and strengthening building codes will also help reduce risks and premiums. Resulting in stabilizing the insurance market and make coverage more affordable for all Floridians.

Wilkinson: Misdirected! Costs should be halved by a cross between Mutual Insurance (profits to policy holders) founded in US by Ben Franklin, Publix employees as stockholder ‘s and Little House on the Prairie barnraising. Last year’s emphasis was gutting Citizens in favor of ‘privates’ (but really no such thing as privates whenever govt is involved). Gadsden County needs to raise rates 5% to be actuarily sound but legislature says they should be 183% higher. Make Citizens more, not less, competitive.