Stephanie Lyn Leonard

Stephanie Lyn Leonard's career experience includes working as a healthcare professional. She earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1985 and a graduate degree from Rollins College in 1992.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a healthcare professional and have run a small corporation. I grew up in the county that I am running in and I am passionate about the needs of our voters.

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?

I will tackle the affordability and cost of living crisis that is affecting all of us in Florida. I have solutions for lowering the costs of insurance, rent, electricity, and healthcare.I will work to improve water quality in the bay and the gulf and keep our environment safe from the destruction of irresponsible overdevelopment.I will work on improving transparency and correcting our broken political system by modifying our donation systems so the voters are being served - not corporations.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Creating legislation that centers on voter focused goals - not special interests - I will fix rules that affect insurance premiums, provide rules around what you can build around wetlands, and modify electric company rate policies.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Democratic environmental caucus of Florida

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in Florida almost my entire life! I currently work as a nurse anthesthetist in a local hospital. My background is in healthcare and the automobile business. I have my nursing degree from Florida State University, my M.B.A. From Rollins College Winter Park, Florida, and my Master’s in Anesthesia from a private college in Naples, Florida. I have lived in south and central Florida as well as north Florida where I grew up. I have watched Florida rapidly change as the population has grown and this is the reason I am running for office. Our resources have been destroyed by radical extremist republicans that have stripped the land, filled in the wetlands, and caused an insurance crisis. The extremist republicans have been in charge of our state for over 30 years and have turned a blind eye to the people that cannot afford to live in their home state anymore. Everything under their watch has become unaffordable. The corrupt republicans take money from companies such as insurance companies, developers, and pharmaceutical companies and they allow these companies to charge whatever they want. Some of these politicians work in the very industry that gives them donations - a true conflict of interest! I truly believe that I stand for the citizens of our beautiful state and I know that I can change what has been destroyed!

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?

Florida has become unaffordable! We can’t afford homeowners or health insurance. We can’t afford prescription drugs. We can’t afford to buy a home. Affordability and economic strength is my number one priority! Insurance regulation is a must to stop this crisis!Florida has been destroyed by out of control development! The EPA is nearly non existent and the water is being fouled by companies without penalties. I would strengthen and demand that development is not allowed unless water mitigation and wetlands protection is put in place. Building may not start until firm plans are in place to protect the environment. Zoning and planning rules must be changed to stop population density from destroying our water and infrastructure. The higher the density, the more destruction that has to be repaired by the taxpayers. The developers need to pay for the infrastructure necessary to support their project.Women’s reproductive health must be restored! All Floridians should vote yes on Amendment 4 to restore the laws as they were before. Women are getting hurt and injured by the reckless change in the law put in place by the radical extremist republicans. A woman has to make her own choices between her family and her doctor and the government should not be telling her what to do!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Environmental policy is my passion because without our natural resources, our economy will die. Greed will kill Florida’s waters because of the runoff that flows because of irresponsible development that is not a natural phenomena. There are companies throughout Florida that siphon millions of gallons of water for use and then discharge millions of gallons of contaminated water into the rivers that run out to the Gulf. I want to save Florida’s natural resources for future generations!

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

Women leaders such as Kamala Harris, and Gretchen Whitmer, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. I would follow each because they are all different. Kamala has made her way up by perseverance as an attorney to prosecute criminals as a minority woman. Gretchen Whitmer has the resolute speaking abilities in her job as Governor that I admire and wish I had the same. Alexandria has the toughest exterior I have ever witnessed in a young woman and absolutely no fear!

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

Honesty and use a consciousness of responsibility to the people’s lives that you could affect with any decision you make in the legislative process. A dedicated work ethic to get projects done in a timely manner. The job calls for a person to do their best to stand up to promises that they make so those that back you have faith and hope their problems will be solved.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Strength in making decisions that are for the good of the people.

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

Vote for legislation that serves the majority of Floridians - not just a few. Always keep taxpayers in mind. You should have empathy and understanding with each decision that you make knowing it can affect another person’s life.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A democratic woman advancing into office in a red state leading the way for others to do the same

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

September 11 2001 attacks. 39 years old

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

I worked in a local restaurant as a hostess 3 summers when home from college until I graduated from college. At that point I started working as a registered nurse in Orlando at the age of 22.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Bugs bunny

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Public speaking

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

Restoring affordability! Maintaining and saving the environment. Woman’s reproductive rights

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily because fresh perspectives bring better and newer ideas

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes - building relationships in any situation can help forward legislators to accept and help move ideas forward

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Recently, a woman appeared at a health clinic seeking an abortion. She was 6 weeks and a few days pregnant. The physician refused fearing reprising for breaking the new law passed this year that is a 6 week ban on abortion. She was turned away and devastated because she had no financial way of taking care of a child and herself.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

A bill to regulate insurance companies and allow Floridians to afford homeowner’s insurance.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Democratic Environmental Caucus

What committees interest you?

Insurance regulation, environmental protection, and developer control/regulation

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Anyone that serves office should have to be transparent and accountable to the taxpayers.