SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — With early voting already underway, voters in the Tampa Bay area are casting their ballots in multiple races, including the District 17 Congressional race.
That covers all of Sarasota and Charlotte counties and part of Lee County. Voters in those areas will see two candidates for U.S. representative pop up on the ballot — Republican incumbent Greg Steube and Democratic nominee Manny Lopez.
Here's everything to know about the candidates, including their backgrounds and the issues that are at the forefront of their campaigns.
Greg Steube (R)
Steube has been serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 17th congressional district since 2019. He currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, alongside the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, according to his campaign website.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Steube graduated from the University of Florida with both undergraduate and law degrees. While in law school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Right now, Steube lives in Sarasota with his wife Jennifer, his son Ethan and their four rescue dogs.
What issues is he focused on?
Amendments 3 and 4 are the two hot-button issues in Florida during this year's election. On his website, Steube stated that he is a "staunch defender of the right to life" and believes that taxpayer dollars should not be used to support abortion in any circumstances.
When concerning marijuana legalization, Steube reportedly sponsored a measure that pushed for transferring marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substance Act.
Alongside those two topics, Steube says he is focused on the following issues as part of his campaign:
- Agriculture and supporting policies that help create fair trade markets for American farmers
- Big Tech
- Border and immigration
- Disaster Relief
- Managing education at the state level
- Increasing domestic energy production
- Environment and water quality
- Second Amendment
Manny Lopez (D)
Lopez was born in Key West and describes himself as a third-generation "conch" of Cuban descent on his campaign website.
Lopez was previously part of the U.S. Army as an E-5 Sergeant and was a fireman for Key West and the Boca Chica Naval Air Station. He has had various executive experience, including being part of the Executive Board of Central Texas Economic Development District and a school board member.
Lopez has been in Sarasota County for 20 years along with his wife.
What issues is he focused on?
According to his campaign website, Lopez believes marijuana should be legal and regulated the same as alcohol. He is also focused on reforming policies so that those who are incarcerated under marijuana-related charges can be freed with restored rights.
In regards to abortion rights, Lopez said he believes decisions on a woman's body should not be made by politicians, but rather by the woman, her family and her doctors.
The following issues are also at the forefront of Lopez's campaign, as stated on his website:
- Rebuilding the Middle Class and closing the wealth gap
- Climate change and environment
- LGBTQ+ rights
- Reproductive and human rights
- Medicare & Social Security
- Gun safety
- Reforming immigration laws
- International affairs
