My name is Nathan Kuipers. I’ve been a Kossack since 2004, and in July, 2023, I filed to run for Florida’s House of Representatives. Please consider donating and learning more about my campaign at www.nathanforfl65.com.
Previous Entries:
After 18 Years as a Kossack, I'm Running for Office in Florida.
Crashing Gates From a Tampa Gay Bar
Changing Course in Florida
My Reddit AMA Today
Running Out of the Closet in Tampa, Florida
I hope the chant comes across in the title.
In the past weeks, the Biden administration and Florida Democrats have backed their optimism with efforts and dollars. I want to amplify the excitement happening in our state right now. It’s the most motivated that I’ve seen the Florida Democratic Party since 2012.
I moved to Tampa in 2005 at 17 years old, attending the University of Tampa on scholarship for music education. Since then, I’ve had a front-row seat to observe Florida’s electoral changes in my work as an educator, learning consultant, and voter outreach organizer.
Just over a month ago, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Amendments 3 and 4, directly addressing marijuana access and abortion access, will appear on the ballot in 2024. These rulings created a sea change for November’s elections. Florida has a history with constitutional referendums that is worth revisiting.
In 2018, Florida restored almost a million and a half voters’ rights via a publicly-approved constitutional amendment. Florida’s Republican establishment found this unacceptable, and moved to ensure that the state received compensation before restoring rights. Formerly incarcerated citizens live with severe economic consequences, and numerous studies show the rewards of integration far exceed the rewards of collecting state fees.
Our state establishment visibly puts its thumb on the scale to frustrate the most vulnerable. This is not unique to Florida. All across the country, gerrymandering, court packing, and more enable conservative legal outcomes. This can only be stopped with public intervention.
The response in Florida among Democrats, youth, leftists, and others has been increased efforts. The 2022 election in Florida had the largest margins of victory for any party, Republican or Democrat, in recent Florida history. Republicans crushed Democrats across the sunshine state. We cannot grow tired: giving up on our beliefs because of the difficulty assures defeat.
As a medical marijuana patient, I’m excited by recreational marijuana legislation. Amendment 3 offers several critical improvements. Under current Florida law, possession of more than 20 grams and up to 25 pounds of cannabis is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000. The possession of distillates and other forms of THC extracts carry harsh felony penalties.
Florida’s stretched police resources should be committed to greater concerns than marijuana possession. Florida’s rapidly expanding population has more pressing legal issues than harassing marijuana users without credentials. This referendum will activate and bring out our base.
Similarly, Amendment 4 offers a resolution to Florida Republicans’ abandoning their constituents. The Republican Party in Florida bet the farm on the DeSantis Presidential campaign over and over and over. They even increased Governor DeSantis’ pay after the loss. They passed his restrictive abortion bans because they felt Fox News airtime is better for their careers than serving their constituents.
Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody brought the amendment efforts before the Florida Supreme Court, expecting a partisan smack-down. Florida Democrats were pleasantly surprised when our Justices ruled against the Attorney General.
The efforts of Florida Republicans to ignore the will of their constituents has taken its toll. Year after year, Florida’s legislature has flouted its people’s wishes. We are reaching a breaking point in a state that is decided by the smallest margins.
Our campaign in Florida’s 65th District seeks to empower the ground game of the I-4 corridor. These are the trench lines for saving American democracy. Please support our efforts to strengthen the Democratic Party and redefine how Floridians are represented.
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