Platforms similar in state House District 5 race

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Candidates Jan Hooks and Karen Schoen complain about Brad Drake being District 5’s candidate for special interests, but they share many of his views.

Dating back to March 1, 2011, Drake has assembled a campaign war chest of $334,223, more than twice as much as Hooks, who raised $134,535 almost exclusively from individual contributors. Drake’s largest contributor is the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), at $73,085. Take that out and Drake still has Hooks’ fundraising total beat by more than $100,000.

“Brad Drake was a wonderful representative for his constituents, and if the voters of District 5 choose him to succeed Representative Marti Coley, we are confident he’ll do a great job representing the district again,” RPOF Communication Director Susan Hepworth said.

Coley is not running again because she reached her term limit. When Drake was a member of the House, he was in District 7 before redistricting in 2012, which moved him into District 5. The district includes northern Bay County and all of Jackson, Holmes, Walton and Washington counties.

Hepworth added that it was Drake’s past experience as a two-term representative that led to the party’s contribution.

“Why do they not want me in Tallahassee?” Hooks said. “They want a puppet who will do what they are told. Mr. Drake is more likely to stand up for the party line.”

Hooks is running as a Republican, Drake’s only challenger in the primary Aug. 26. Libertarian Karen Schoen will face the winner in the general election Nov. 4. Early voting for the primary begins today.

Drake’s second biggest contributor is $5,000 from the Hospital Corporation of America. Various medical associations — including pharmacists, dental hygienists, orthopedists, health insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies — have contributed about $16,000 to Drake’s campaign.

Drake’s view on health care is a firm stance against the Affordable Care Act or expanding Medicaid in Florida. He generally supports private insurance as a way to encourage people to take better care of themselves because of the financial penalties.

“We need to set up a health care delivery system where patients are afforded benefits based on habits and behavior,” he said. “Without a personal stake in the game people will not make changes.”

Schoen was more blunt, but the intent was similar.

“Government does not belong in health care,” She said. “Health care is between you and your doctor.”

Hooks’ stance on health care is to eliminate the Affordable Care Act and not expand Medicaid. She said high premiums and deductibles are a concern and she has experience with an elderly mother and son with diabetes.

“We need to create more, better paying jobs so people can take care of themselves,” Hooks said.

Related, Drake has gotten about $16,000 from conservative and business groups. That sum varies from $1,000 from the billionaire Koch brothers and $1,000 from Veterans for Conservative Principles. Drake is a believer in deregulation to help businesses. He touts his experience reversing the effects of a bill regulating septic tanks.

Schoen also thinks there are too many regulations, on small businesses in particular. Hooks deviates a little by wanting to lower taxes for small businesses to encourage job growth.

Drake has received about $8,600 from various transportation interests, varying from $1,000 from the Anderson Columbia Company Inc., a road contractor, to $1,000 from City Cab of Orlando. Transportation is one of Drake’s specialties, having served as the chairman of the House Transportation and Highway Safety Committee. He wants to bring highway construction to his district without raising taxes.

Schoen and Hooks did not argue with wanting better roads. Schoen added that many cities are now designed to discourage driving.

“We need to be responsible and deliberate with how to plan and grow infrastructure in the area while still maintaining it’s natural character,” Hooks said.