To the Editor:
My name is Dana Cottrell, candidate for US Congress District 11.I am writing to inform your readers as to why I am the best choice to serve as their district representative.
Daniel Webster is running on a platform to “fix a broken system.” Yet, in 38 years of being a part of the system Webster himself says is broken, he has been unable to fix it. In the eight years he has been a Congressman, he has jumped districts three times, not seeking to represent those constituents, but to find a voting block where he feels he can win. Daniel Webster has been ineffective for the constituents of District 11 as his record will show.
District and Veterans’ Services
Webster continually informs voters that he has returned money from his office budget. This has negatively impacted constituent services.
• Returned office budget money stole staff jobs from our district.
• District staff would have provided outreach and community support.
Voters have urged Webster to be more accessible to the public and become a better representative by improving communication with voters, and to provide additional constituent services.
I intend to fully staff home offices and hire a staff member to specifically address and support our veterans. I will be accessible to the constituents, having pledged a minimum of four town hall meetings each year.
Understanding Needs of the Middle Class
• Daniel Webster’s income, rental income, and advisory fees totals over $200,000/yr.
• This earns him 400% more than the $46,000/yr. median District 11 Household
The middle class represents 62% of District 11. Having been a teacher for twenty-five years, I better understand and represent our needs.
Health Care
In January 2017, Americans were promised an affordable, comprehensive plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Two years later, health care has worsened. Webster’s votes against provisions such as coverage of preexisting conditions has undermined our district’s public health.
• 10% of the people in District 11 are without insurance. That is 74,000 constituents.
• In the past year, in Florida, the average rates of premium coverage silver plans increased 49%.
• Florida ranks last for percentage of adults with health insurance and 47th for percentage of children insured.
I support Medicare for all as a sustainable insurance program.
Income Disparity
Webster’s voting record illustrates a lack of balance favoring big business, corporate America, tax breaks to the wealthy, zero protections for workers, unions, or consumers, and no support to programs ending generational or institutionalized poverty. Congressional plans to offset budget deficits include cuts to Social Security and Medicare, which will negatively impact quality of life for our seniors.
• 24% of our district makes less than $25,000 annually.
• 19.7% of our children under 18 live below the poverty level.
• 7.2% of seniors in District 11 live below the poverty level.
I support initiatives that will decrease the number of Americans living in poverty. I will vote to sustain Social Security and Medicare with no cuts to programs, and increases based upon cost of living increases.
Equality
Daniel Webster has not supported the rights of the LBGTQ community, anti-discriminatory policies toward minorities, nor has he supported women’s rights. Webster has voted:
• To remove protections for Native Americans and LGBTQ individuals.
• Against prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• To cut all funding to Planned Parenthood.
• He sponsored a “Covenant Marriage” bill, seeking to severely limit a woman’s right to divorce.
I pledge to protect the rights for all citizens and I support the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Campaign Finance Impacting Voting Records
Webster’s FEC campaign finance file shows:
• Only 18% of all donations were from voters of District 11, representing only 12% of his total campaign contributions raised ($50,187).
• 38% of his overall campaign contributions ($119,000) were from PACs led by big sugar.
Webster’s record supports corporations over individuals, voting against environmental protections. Webster voted:
• To reduce funding for environmental protection programs
• To reduce funding for clean energy initiatives
• To increase logging of federal land and reduce regulatory oversight.
• To nullify the EPA rule establishing Clean Air Act standards for carbon dioxide emissions.
I seek to reform campaign finance and change Citizens United. My voting record will be based on constituent needs, not corporations and lobbyists. I have received no corporate donations.
Based on the above, I best represent the makeup of our district, in which I have lived and worked for thirty years.
Glaring differences exist between both the platforms and personalities of myself and Webster. I am open and approachable and will listen to all constituent ideas, concerns, and suggestions. The key to a working government is balance. We must be reasonable and compassionate, empathetic and accountable.
After visiting my website (https://danacottrellforcongress.com) to read through my resume, mission statement, and stance on the issues, I hope I have earned your vote on Nov. 6.
Dana Cottrell
