Meet Florida House District 30 candidate Bob Cortes

Republican Bob Cortes and Democrat Joy Goff-Marcil each are looking for your vote to send them to Tallahassee as the new representative of Florida House District 30. 

Cortes, 55, is a former Longwood city commissioner and mayor and has served as the District 30 state representative since November 2014. Goff-Marcil, 50, has served on the Maitland City Council for five years as both councilwoman and vice mayor.

Goff-Marcil won the Aug. 28 Democratic primary for District 30 against Clark Anderson and Brendan Ramírez, while Cortes ran unopposed in the 2018 Republican primary. The two will face one another during the Nov. 6 general election.

The early-voting period in Orange County runs through Sunday, Nov. 4. For more information about early voting, visit the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website at ocfelections.com.

Answers have been edited for space but not content. For complete, unedited answers, visit OrangeObserver.com.

1. Why are you running for House District 30?

To continue the good work we started when I was elected in 2014. House District 30 is a very diverse district and needs someone with my background that understands the many issues we face — issues like jobs and economic development and growth. As a small-business owner, I truly understand how government can help our business community thrive. Education is equally important (because) we need an educated workforce to move into the jobs being created. 

2. Describe three reasons why constituents should vote for you.

Experience, knowledge, diversity. I have worked for two terms in the Florida House and have been very successful in not only passing legislation but also preventing bad laws from happening. The relationships I have made with members of the legislative and executive branch of both parties helps me be able to communicate and pass common-sense legislation.

3. If elected, what will your priorities be in office?

Education; jobs and economic development; affordable and workforce housing; and health care.

4. What is your stance on the Home Rule, and how should state and local governments function together?

I am a product of local government. I served as commissioner and mayor for the city of Longwood. We will continue to protect Home Rule authority while addressing the needs of ever-changing technology. We need to work closely with the Florida League of Cities and Counties to pass legislation that takes care of the issues without placing undue burdens or unfunded mandates on local government.

5. What are the biggest problems facing Florida public education, and how would you address them?

The biggest problem is a growing population with not enough facilities to house all the new students coming into urban areas. Continue to allow parents more involvement in the education of their children. Promoting school-choice options and having the local school boards work on more solutions for teachers and parents in their own districts. Continue to fund bonuses for teachers and make sure we continue to fund supplies for each teacher and classrooms. Promote via local control teacher pay increases through the school boards.

6. What is the solution to our health care problem?

Continue to look for ways to lower health care cost by providing options for patients. Not all treatments must be done in a hospital; we can promote ambulatory services that would reduce cost. Lower prescription cost and also look to provide coverage for those not quite yet in their retirement age but are over 50 that have worked most of their life and can’t afford insurance.

7. What are the keys to boosting Florida’s economy?

Continue to maintain our tax structure low. (More than) 1,000 new residents are moving to Florida daily. These folks will contribute to our economy (because) they will bring tax dollars into our local economy. We help promote job creation for all Floridians, which would bring more tax dollars for education and other needed services. (Because) the state does receive its core funding from sales tax and fees (such as) driver’s licenses and registrations, a growing population would bring more funding. We saw this increase when those fleeing the island from Maria last year.