District 19 Congressional Candidates to Debate in Cape Coral on 5/21/12

May 20th 2012 The Florida Patriot

Tommorrow night in Cape Coral Florida 9 candidates all competiting for 1 US House of Representatives seat in Congress will debate at the First Baptist Church at 4117 Coronado Parkway Cape Coral. Doors open to the public at 530pm and the event will start at 630pm. The format will allow each candidate to give an opening followed by a moderator who will ask the 9 candidates position on a number of topics from raising taxes to illegal immigration with the candidates all having yes or no paddles to hold up at the same time and then a period of time to explain their position. Two local news stations NBC-2 and Wink TV will be covering the event starting at 4pm and the event is expected to draw a crowd of over 500 with the attendees participating in a straw poll for their favorite candidate.

The contest for this highly contested seat has two elected officials Rep Paige Kreegel who has been a State of Florida House of Representative first elected in 2004, who is currently serving his final term in office. Rep Kreegel is a family doctor, farmer and rancher. Rep Gary Aubuchon is the second State of Florida House of Representative first elected in 2006. Rep Aubuchon is also a local home builder in the area when not busy with his legislative duties. Chauncey Goss who now resides in Sanibel after working in Washington DC and for other politicians. Joe Davidow who is an attorney in Naples. Byron Donalds who works in computer software for financial institutions. Trey Radel an ex local radio personality. Finally a retired businessman who owns restaurants in Manhattan and now resides in Naples Brian Owens rounds out the Republican field. There is one Democrat in the field Jim Roach who competed against Congressman Connie Mack in 2010 unsucessfully. Jim Roach is a retired engineer. There is a new entry as an NPA to this race in Brandon Smith who will be debating tommorrow night.

The Republican primary is to be held August 14th with the winner of this large field facing Democrat Jim Roach and NPA Brandon Smith. Doors open to the public at 530pm with the event starting at 630pm.

Tagged Cape Coral, Congress, District 19, Paige Kreegel, Rep Kreegel