House District 51 offers a former pro bowler vs. a former insurance industry manager.
By ANNE LINDBERG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 31, 2002
A former pro bowler and a two-term incumbent are squaring off in the race for state House District 51.
Democrat Richard Langton, who bowled professionally for three years, is making his first run for public office against Republican Rep. Leslie Waters because he believes Florida is headed in the wrong direction.
"We have not addressed the issues that need our focused attention; issues such as education reform, economic development and community investment," Langton said. "I am running because it is time for a new generation of Floridians to take our place in the leadership of our state."
Langton says he favors hiring more police and firefighters as well as community-based safety programs. He opposes tax increases but would like to review the current tax system.
Although he says he is against privatization of mental health and Medicaid, Langton favors turning over the child protective duties of the state Department of Children and Families to a private company.
"I feel a private company could be more accountable and create a better work environment, and this would increase the services to the community," he said.
Like others who have opposed Waters, Langton criticizes her for her ties to the insurance industry and says she's unwilling to accept new ideas. That has caused insurance rates to skyrocket, he said, and resulted in bad votes concerning education issues.
Waters, however, defended her 29 years in the insurance industry as being a plus for District 51 residents.
"I know insurance," Waters said. It's important for state representatives to have expertise in different areas. And while she worked for the industry, Waters said her goal now is to represent consumers.
"I am into consumer-friendly legislation," she said.
If re-elected, Waters said she will continue to vote for increased education funding and target money to classrooms and higher salaries for top-rated teachers.
One of her biggest strengths, she said, is her openness and willingness to listen to residents.
"I've been successful in my grass roots political efforts to get to know the people of House District 51," she said.
That includes holding open meetings at shopping centers, knocking on 45,000 doors since she was first elected four years ago, sending out questionnaires and mailings, and answering calls and e-mails, she said.
State House District 51 includes portions of Seminole, Pinellas Park, Largo, South Pasadena and the west Lealman area. State representatives serve two-year terms and receive $29,328 a year.
LESLIE WATERS, 55, is retired from management with Allstate Insurance. During her career there, she worked in Allstate's human resources and community relations departments. She has been a chairwoman of a March of Dimes region and team captain for Paint St. Pete Proud. She is a board member of Junior Achievement of the Suncoast and Urban League of Pinellas County. She has served on the board of Brookwood, a young women's residence, Northside Hospital and Heart Institute, Florida Cancer Control and Research and Partners for Highway Safety. She has represented District 51 since 1998. In the Legislature, she has served as the chairwoman of the Insurance Committee. She is married. ASSETS: home, rental property, cars, savings, money markets, profit-sharing, stocks, mutual funds, inheritance interest LIABILITIES: credit card SOURCE OF INCOME: salary, dividends, capital gains, stock option earnings WEB SITE: waterswave.com
RICHARD LANGTON, 27, is a production associate with Langton Surveying, which is owned by his father. He is also a substitute teacher in the Pinellas County school system. He is a former professional bowler and served as an aide to Bill McBride . He is a graduate of the University of Tampa, where he was a member of the Honors Association. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He is a former member of the Save the Manatee Club and has worked in the WEDU Telethon. He was named in Who's Who Among Students in Junior Colleges. He is single. ASSETS: Jeep LIABILITIES: credit card SOURCE OF INCOME: salary