Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a 150-word bio and respond to our questions within 700 words. We did not receive responses from Keith Laufenberg (DEM), District 53 candidate, by press time.
Jeff Holcomb (REP)
BIO:
Representative Jeff Holcomb was born in Maryland and moved to Spring Hill in 2002. Prior to moving to Florida, Rep. Holcomb earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He has also earned a master’s degree in Intelligence Studies from American Military University. He has been married for 25 years and has 2 daughters in college.
In 2014 he was elected to the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners. He served as Chairman in 2019 and Second Vice Chairman in 2015. During his time in office, he was a champion for business expansion, property rights and capitalism, while keeping tax levels flat. He was also an outspoken advocate for First Responders and supported their fair wages and benefits.
In 2006 Jeff joined the Navy Reserves as a Seamen and quickly rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He has served as an Intelligence Officer for over 18 years and has gone on orders in support of USCENTCOM, USAFRICOM and a deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. On deployment, he served in the Master Air Attack Plan team in the Combat Plans Division of the Air Operations Center in the Middle East. He has been decorated with the following awards: Joint Service Achievement Award, Navy Commendation medal and a Navy Achievement medal.
In 2022, Jeff ran for State Representative and won the seat by 30 points. He recently completed his first session where he served on an Appropriations subcommittee for State Administration, Regularly Reform and Economic Development subcommittee, Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts subcommittee, Ethics, Elections & Open Government subcommittee, State Affairs committee, and Ways and Means Committee.
What are the critical statewide issues and/or projects that you will focus on if elected?
I expect this next upcoming session will be looking at supporting hard hit areas of Florida from recent hurricanes. I believe we will also look at the structure of car insurance and the bill recently passed dealing with condominiums. The Condo bill was created due to the collapse of the surfside building.
What are the critical local issues and/or projects you will support if elected?
The widening on Countyline Road is a major issue I have been working on since my time as a County Commissioner. I have had many conversations with Hernando, Pasco and FDOT representatives. Despite the high cost of the project which has skyrocketed since the end of covid. We have a plan in place, but funding is still in question. The cost of the project is well over a hundred million dollars. This road is one of the worst in the region for accidents and it also would help with evacuations from hurricanes like we have just had.
What is your motivation for running for office/ seeking re-election?
My motivation for running is although Florida is the best run state in America, there is more to do. We need to ensure the governmental structure is the best in America. I believe there are improvements to be made in the tax structure. I think the state would benefit greatly from the elimination of the property tax in favor of the sales tax. When we remove the property tax property owners will truly own their own property.
What significant achievement would you say is a highlight of your professional or political career?
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS – I have been married for over 25 years and have 2 brilliant daughters who both graduated from Springstead High School International Bachelorette Program.
POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENTS – I completely believe that the 2023 session was the greatest session ever had by a state in America. We created school choice, a bill that is copied by other states. We changed the death penalty in Florida, we lowered the number needed for a death penalty sentence from 12 to 8. We passed Permitless Carry, no longer require a permit to carry a gun. We banned the tracking of guns and ammunition by credit card entities. We banned ESG (Environmental Social Governance), restricts government funds from being used in a non-fiduciary manner. We passed the strongest illegal immigration bill to combat the incompetence of Washington controlling the border. We passed a bill banning gender transiting surgery for children and bathrooms must be used based on sex assigned at birth. We passed a bill allowing death sentence for convicted sex criminals. We also passed 1.8 billion in tax cutes with 148 sales tax holidays, with permanent tax cuts for baby products, hygiene products, and pet products. We actually more bills then I have mentioned above.
What besides your experience makes you especially suited for this office?
I am best suited for the position due to my 2 years’ experience as a State Representative and my 8 years in local government as a County Commissioner. Part of my time in Tallahassee is spent educating other Representatives and Senators about local government. Not all local governments are being run the same and it is important to understand how bills effect local and city governments. We have all heard of bills that get passed only to find out that they have unintended consequences regarding local government.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities of this office?
The Florida House is the lower chamber of the FL Legislature. The primary responsibility is to create laws and pass a state budget. As a Representative, I file bills, file repeal laws, and file appropriations requests. The amount of bills we can file is set by the Speaker of the House, that number currently stands at seven, while Senators are allowed an unlimited amount of bill filings. For appropriations I usually get requests from Hernando and Pasco governments, along with requests from other local entities.
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