David Silverberg

David Silverberg earned a high school diploma from Long Branch High School.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

David Silverberg is a veteran journalist who has spent his career standing for decency, dignity, and democracy. A permanent Florida resident since 2013, he is deeply familiar with the communities of Southwest Florida—from Naples and Marco Island to Immokalee, LaBelle, and Clewiston.

Beginning in 2018, David began blogging as The Paradise Progressive, giving Southwest Floridians the political news, analysis, and commentary that local media wouldn't touch. His blog has become an essential source of information for all politically-interested Southwest Floridians, regardless of party.

Before moving to Florida, David served as founding Editor of Homeland Security Today—the leading publication providing insight to homeland security decision-makers in Washington, D.C. He also worked as managing editor of The Hill newspaper and wrote for Defense News as well as many other publications as a freelancer. He served as communications director for the 2018 congressional campaign of David Holden in District 19. He is the author of Congress for Dummies (2002) and Masters of Disaster: The Political and Leadership Lessons of America's Greatest Disasters (2010).

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Restore decency, dignity and democracy to Southwest Florida and the nation.

End the insults, disparagement and hatred, prejudice and rage that have come to characterize our public life.

End Alligator Alcatraz. This concentration camp is in the 28th District and doesn't belong there - or anywhere else. It was built without the consultation or consent of residents and it's costing the state of Florida a million dollars a day. Alligator Alcatraz is a moral stain, a financial drain and it cannot remain. I will do all I can to see that it's closed and the site restored to Everglades wetlands.We need to make Florida affordable again. The costs of all goods and services are rising beyond the ability of Floridians to keep up and much of this is due to misguided policies set in Tallahassee. We need to end profiteering, price gouging, and scams. We need to squarely face the fact of climate change in Florida so that we can build resilient communities that in turn will help bring down risk and insurance rates.We need to keep our local governments strong. The state government in Tallahassee has been steadily eroding the authority and autonomy of town, city and county governments in large part to override local land use restrictions and citizen input. This is leading to over-development, environmental degradation and sometimes human suffering, like denying workers heat breaks. Local governments are the foundation of democracy and citizen participation. I intend to support them any way I can and protect their rightful authorities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Democracy, constitutionality, the rule of law, climate change, environmental protection, water purity, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, freedom from fear, tolerance, public education, free expression, press freedom, human dignity.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My personal heroes are Thomas Paine, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt. Paine was an original thinker and an effective writer, who never lost hope in even the darkest moments. Churchill stayed true to his principles under enormous duress, saw the situation clearly and rose to the moment when the time came. Franklin Roosevelt turned personal tragedy into a deep empathy and did so with grace and political effectiveness.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, honesty, responsibility, humility

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To fully represent all the people of the district while remaining to true to personal principle and pursuing the common good.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A truly democratic America and a Southwest Florida that's fully aware of the value of democracy and its fragility.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Busboy at a beach resort in Elberon, NJ. I held it one summer.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Respectful but independent, with the legislature performing its role as a check, a balance and providing robust oversight.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Climate change! Climate change! Climate change! If we don't face the climate challenge there won't be a Florida. We also must maintain the purity of our waters, both in the Gulf of Mexico and inland. Without pure waters here human life cannot exist in our regional environment.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The first that springs to mind was the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963.