Incumbent Frank Farkas, a member of the House GOP leadership, says he wants to continue changes in health care and education. His challengers propose going in other directions.
By CURTIS KRUEGER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 31, 2002
State Rep. Frank Farkas ran in a hotly contested Republican primary this year, in which his opponent vigorously criticized health insurance legislation that Farkas had sponsored.
Farkas ended up winning easily, but the battle in House District 52 is not over.
Now Farkas faces a challenge from Chris Eaton, a Democrat who says he has a better vision for improving education, health care and other issues in Florida.
Alison Lipscomb, a Libertarian who currently lives outside District 52, also is campaigning for the seat.
Farkas, a chiropractor, said that in his two terms as a legislator, he has worked to improve the state by supporting education reforms. For example, he supports standardized testing of schoolchildren, which he said provides bench marks for measuring educational gains. He's also proud of his antitax stance and for pushing a "three strikes and you're out" law.
"I think we've started some important changes in education, in health care, in public safety, and I want to continue . . . the improvements that we've begun," Farkas said.
He also said that his being a member of the House Republican leadership team will help him accomplish more for the district.
But Eaton said, "I know that what I'm offering the voters is a person who's willing to bring people together and be a part of the solution."
He said he means working in education for "lowering class size, raising teacher salaries, increasing our efforts and our energies in the area of prekindergarten readiness." He also would like to investigate a way of lowering prescription drug costs by combining consumers' buying power.
He pledged to have quarterly meetings of neighborhood association board members, to hear their concerns. Eaton founded a business called Bridge Builders, which links U.S. groups with people in Central and South America who need help with service projects. He said that shows he can bring people together to meet a common goal.
Lipscomb said he's frustrated that Democrats and Republicans keep pledging to work on the same old problems over and over again, without succeeding. He pledges to try new ideas.
"I'd seriously look at privatization of the school system," he said. He would like to consider having a nonprofit community "cooperative" created for that purpose.
He doesn't agree that Florida's school problems can be traced to funding. "That to me is just the most lame answer: Spend more; that will fix it."
State House District 52 includes parts of St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater. State representatives serve two-year terms and earn $29,328 annually.
FRANK FARKAS, 46, grew up in Wisconsin and moved to St. Petersburg with his family in 1972. He founded the Farkas Chiropractic Clinic and has been president of the Florida Chiropractors Association. After running unsuccessfully for a legislative seat in 1996, he was elected to the House in 1998 and is chairman of the House Committee on Health Regulation. Farkas graduated from St. Petersburg Catholic High School, St. Petersburg Junior College, Eckerd College and Palmer College of Chiropractic. He is married and has two children. ASSETS: chiropractic practice and office building, home, investments, life insurance LIABILITIES: mortgage on office, loan SOURCE OF INCOME: clinic E-MAIL: ffarkas1@tampabay.rr.com WEB SITE: www.franklyfarkas.com
CHRIS EATON, 44, moved to St. Petersburg with his family when he was in high school. He founded Bridge Builders, a company that links U.S. volunteers and groups with people in Central and South America who need help with service projects, and co-wrote the book Vacations With a Purpose; A Planning Handbook for Your Short-Term Missions Team. He is president of the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association and ran unsuccessfully for St. Petersburg City Council last year. Eaton graduated from Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg. He attended the University of Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida. He is single. ASSETS: two houses, investments LIABILITIES: home mortgage, equity loan, car loan SOURCE OF INCOME: business E-MAIL: listening@chriseatoncampaign.com WEB SITE: www.chriseatoncampaign.com
ALISON LIPSCOMB, 40, grew up in Pinellas County. He is a systems engineer for Home Shopping Network and works part time in guest services at the St. Pete Times Forum. He is active with the Four-H Club. Lipscomb graduated from Seminole High School and St. Petersburg Junior College, and is attending Phoenix University to receive a bachelor's degree in information technology. He is married and has three children. ASSETS: house, investments LIABILITIES: mortgage, charge card SOURCE OF INCOME: Home Shopping Network, St. Pete Times Forum E-MAIL: candidate@alisonlipscomb.com WEB SITE: www.alisonlipscomb.com