Candidate Charles S. McKenzie, Jr
March 20, Thursday
The African American Voters Research and Education Committee (AAVREC) will hold its District 55 Candidate Forum
Enoch Davis Center, 1111 - 18th Ave So in St. Pete. 6:30P.
House District #55 candidates will take questions from the audience.
The public is invited. FMI: 727- 327-4034.
Ø West Central Florida Federation of Labor,
Ø Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association (PCTA),
Ø Former Sarasota Mayors:
o Jerome Dupree
o Fredd Atkins
o Carolyn Mason
Ø Pinellas Educational Support Personnel Association (PESPA),
Ø Sarasota County Commissioner Paul Mercier
Ø Pinellas Progressive Democrats of America;
Ø St. Petersburg Democrats Inc.,
Ø Pastors Bradley and S.D. Pollard
Ø St. Petersburg Councilman Newt Newton
Congresswoman Carrie MeekThe Bradenton Herald endorsed him, saying
"During the debate, McKenzie spotlighted his coalition-building skills when working on political solutions and his decade-long service as the state coordinator for Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition. During 25 years in education, he has lived and worked throughout District 55.
One of his key goals is boosting education, with an emphasis on curriculum and standards over state testing. He called the grading of schools ludicrous and demeaning. McKenzie also thinks the state is building too many prisons, and that money should be put into education in order to keep people out of prison.
His strengths, he said, come from his 25 years of public service, his teaching and ministry, advocating for the needy, and his passion and selflessness."
Saint Petersburg Times staff writer Cristina Silva has written
several articles about this race. Here are some informative articles you may want to
view for more information:
"Candidate Hopes Underdog Status Propels Him to the House"
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02
"District 55 Foes Dredge Up Dirt"
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03
"House Candidates Trade Shots Before Getting Civil"
http://www.tampabay.com/news
If you have digital cable from Brighthouse, you can watch a forum
with the three candidates for House District 55 for FREE "on demand". Turn your
cable box to Channel 342; when the menu loads, use the right arrow key to move to the
choice labeled "Politics." A new menu will appear on the left with "Tiger Bay" as a
choice. Use the "up" arrow to highlight and select it. Next press the "B" button to
start the debate. The debate will begin playing very shortly.
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A firefighters union activist writes about the public safety issues at stake in this election
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Here is a letter from Rev. Charles McKenzie:
Charles McKenzie
Democrat
Candidate for Florida State House of Representatives, District 55
March 4, 2008
Dear Friend,
My name is Charles McKenzie and I am a candidate in the Special Election for State Representative in your district -- District 55. I believe in the power of education and faith to transform lives. My own life is a witness and commitment to that idea. I have served the public school system, the church and my state of Florida. With your help and support, I will continue to serve, as your State Representative.
I am a history teacher at Meadowlawn Middle School in St Petersburg and have been teaching elsewhere for over 20 years in Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough public schools. I graduated from Bethune-Cookman College in 1982. My whole life has been dedicated to community service for our youth, our seniors, for working families, and those in need.
Along with my educational service, I have a long record of community service, which includes
- Pastor of a United Methodist Church,
- Founding Pastor of the Westcoast Center for Human Development,
- Elected Member of the Pinellas Democratic Party Executive Committee
- State of Florida Coordinator of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow-Push Coalition for the last 10 years.
- Elected to the Statewide Board of the Ex-Felon Voting Rights Restoration Committee.
With you, I am deeply concerned about these critical issues facing us
- Public Safety and Youth Development Programs
- The Insurance Crisis
- Creating Excellence in our Schools
- Increasing Access to Health Care
- Protection of the Florida Environment
I want to hear your ideas and welcome a call from you to talk about the public policy issues that are on your mind. I ask for your vote on March 25 in the Special Election primary.
With my best regards,
Charles McKenzie, Democrat
Candidate for State Representative District 55
1 comment:
Interested indeed.
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