Sarasota Election: Detert, Hutchinson Vie For District 3 Seat

SARASOTA, FL — In the 2020 election, Sarasota-area voters will choose the winner of the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners District 3 race. Republican incumbent Nancy Detert and Democratic challenger Cory Hutchinson are vying for the seat.

How to vote

As the Nov. 3 election approaches, Sarasota-area voters can submit their ballots at early voting locations, at drop-off boxes and by mail. They can also vote at their local voting precinct on Election Day.

If voting in person, either early or on Nov. 3, voters must bring a current and valid ID with their name, photo and signature. Find a full list of acceptable IDs here.

Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned using the U.S. Postal Service. The return postage for a vote-by-mail ballot is two Forever stamps or $.70. They must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day. Additionally, they can be dropped off at any early voting location. Find a list of early voting locations here. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot has passed.

If you choose to vote in person on Nov. 3, you can look up your voting precinct online here. For your vote to count, you must vote in the precinct in which you reside. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Meet the candidates

Sarasota Patch recently sent out questionnaires to learn more about who these candidates are and where they stand on local issues. Below are the responses submitted.

Cory Hutchinson, 24, lives in North Port with his fiancé Courtney Lape. He’s worked as a college and career advisor at Laurel Nokomis School for the past four years. He holds a master of business administration degree from Western Governors University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Arizona State University.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Hutchinson: We have to fix our infrastructure. We have seen millions of gallons worth of sewage spills, and we must address this. We need to work with federal and state leaders to obtain grants and funding to begin repairing and rebuilding failing infrastructure. This is not just an environmental issue, but an economic one as well. If we have any red tide or other algae outbreaks, after the economic downturn from COVID, many businesses will be in danger.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Hutchinson: I am not a career politician. I am focused solely on our county and the needs of the residents, not of special interests. I have the drive and passion to get the job done, and I have been a resident of this county me entire life.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Hutchinson: My opponent was the driving force behind the gerrymandering of our County Commission Districts. She also was a driving force behind doubling the amount of signatures required to place a citizen-initiative on the ballot, requiring now 30,000 signatures just to place something on the ballot. She has also consistently been rude and dismissive toward her constituents, especially when they disagree with her positions during public comment. That type of elected official is not good for our community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Hutchinson: I will protect our environment, and support our small businesses, especially during this pandemic. We need to ensure CARES Act funding is distributed and done so with urgency. I will also work to ensure our first responders have access to needed mental health care, and resources for their departments. We must also have smart growth plans, revitalizing our 2050 plan, to focus on balancing growth and preservation. Urban sprawl is unsustainable, and we must charge impact fees at 100%. If we don't, taxpayers will be subsidizing growth, and that's wrong.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Hutchinson: I am the chairperson of the North Port Charter Review Board, and the Board president of Holly's Hope of North Port, a local mental health non-profit, focused on providing our community better mental health resources. We have a specific focus on students and veterans and will also be working to improve resources for first responders. I have been able to develop relationships with many community members across our County.

Why should voters trust you?

Hutchinson: I am an open book. I don't hide from the tough issues, and I make it a point to be transparent with anything I do, even if I make a mistake. It is my belief that voters should know how I vote, and why I vote, on topics the way I do.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Hutchinson: If we are able to revitalize our 2050 plan, and obtain a better balance between growth and preservation, I would consider that a success.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Hutchinson: We have to be fiscally responsible, and not waste our tax dollars. We must also ensure that when we do spend money, it goes to help our residents. I don't support corporate welfare or wasting tax dollars on special projects that provide little community benefit.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

No response

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

No response

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

No response

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

Hutchinson: I will serve my full term, dedicated fully to the office I serve.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Hutchinson: It's very simple, but "Do What's Right."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Hutchinson: I will not be bought, and I will not be bossed. I will work fully for the citizens of our county, not for special interests.

Learn more about Hutchinson on his campaign website.

Nancy Detert did not submit her questionnaire to Sarasota Patch. She is seeking re-election to the District 3 seat. She was first elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 2016.

She also served in the Florida House of Representative from 1998 to 2006 and the Florida Senate from 2008 to 2016. She sat on the Sarasota County School Board from 1988 to 1992.

Originally from Chicago, she currently lives in Venice. She also enjoyed a lengthy career as a mortgage broker.

According to her Ballotpedia profile, Detert has said she would support oil drilling within 10 miles of Florida’s coast as long as tax money raised from these projects is used to subsidize the installation of solar panels. She’s also expressed support of an overhaul of Florida’s laws regarding background checks for those working with children and the elderly.

In an interview with the Venice Gondolier, she said that if she’s re-elected, she’ll focus her efforts on affordable housing. She also stated that she’s unhappy with Sarasota County’s voter-approved switch to single-member districts, a move she thinks will actually harm voters.

Detert's campaign Facebook page can be found here.