Florida District 68 House Seat: Jim Boyd vs. Dave

MANATEE-- The race for Florida’s District 68 House seat is between Republican Jim Boyd and Dave ”Watchdog“ Miner, who is running without a party affiliation. Current Republican State Representative Bill Galvano is leaving office due to term limits. District 68 includes Manatee County and part of Hillsborough County.

Jim Boyd (R) Candidate for District 68

Jim Boyd grew up in Manatee County and graduated from Palmetto High School. He went to Manatee Community College and graduated from Florida State University. He has been in the insurance industry since 1978 and is president of The Boyd Group, a commercial real estate brokerage in Manatee County. Mr. Boyd’s uncle and grandfather both served in the Florida House of Representatives.

Mr. Boyd has served on the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, The Manatee Memorial Hospital Board of Governors and the Library Foundation. He has also been a volunteer firefighter/EMT and former fire commissioner for the North River Fire District. Between 1989 and 1993, Mr. Boyd was a Palmetto City Councilman, Vice-Mayor and Mayor.

Jim Boyd and his wife Sandy have been married for 25 years and have a son and daughter who both attend Florida State University.

Mr. Boyd’s campaign platform is ”to bring Tallahassee closer to home. Less government, less regulation and less spending.“ He advocates ”more personal freedom and economic growth.“

Dave ”Watchdog“ Miner was born in St. Petersburg, FL and grew up in Michigan. He graduated from Amherst College after serving in the Marine Corps and received his law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. Mr. Minor served as an assistant county attorney for Manatee County, Chairman of the Manatee County Cable Television Advisory Board and Manatee County Library Board.

Mr. Miner is a Vietnam veteran and is a lifelong member of the American Legion and is active in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans and Marine Corps League. He and his wife Marsha have two grown children.

Mr. Miner is an attorney and former prosecutor. He has been involved in Manatee County politics for many years, having worked to bring the first Child Abuse Prevention Programs to Manatee County. Mr. Miner was the Precinct 25 Republican Party Committeeman for several years until June of 2010 and considers himself a Republican although he is running without a party affiliation in this race.

Dave ”Watchdog“ Minor is running on the campaign message of ”Watchdog -- not lapdog“, calling himself a ”strong independent candidate who is not controlled by the special interests.“

On the issue of offshore drilling, both candidates have similar opinions in opposing the approval of licenses for drilling as close as three miles off Florida’s gulf coast. Mr. Miner believes voters should decide if the state constitution should have a provision barring close oil drilling. The candidates also support tax and financial incentives to encourage alternative energy resources.

Dave "Watchdog" Miner (I) Candidate for District 68

On the controversial Amendment 4 which would require a referenda for adoption and amendment of local government comprehensive land-use plans, Mr. Boyd is opposed, calling it ”a job killer“ and ”bad for the economy“. Mr. Miner doesn’t expect the amendment to pass but supports introducing legislation to have cities and counties adopt comprehensive land-use amendment procedures.

Mr. Boyd is against Amendments 5 and 6 on the drawing of legislative and congressional districts. He believes that legislatures should continue to handle the process. Mr. Miner says the amendments will be an improvement, but he would propose legislation to establish an independent redistricting commission.

On the projected state budget deficit for next year, both candidates want to cut spending. Mr. Boyd wants all government agencies to ”increase efficiencies“ and ”right-size government.“ Mr. Miner supports a wage freeze for state employees and requiring all agencies to place their check registers on their websites so the public can directly audit government expenditures.

The Bradenton Times invited both Jim Boyd and Dave ”Watchdog“ Miner for individual television interviews. Mr. Miner accepted our invitation and the interview will be posted in our voter’s guide.