Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Alan Cohn
Alan Cohn (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 15th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Cohn is a former television reporter and creator of AMC Productions.[1]
Biography
Cohn received his bachelor's degree from Hofstra University in 1985. His professional career includes woking as an investigative reporter. He was awarded the Peabody Award, the National Headliner Award, the Society of Professional Journalists Award, and the Florida Associated Press Award for Investigative Reporting and Best in Show.[2]
Elections
2022
See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 15
Laurel Lee defeated Alan Cohn in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurel Lee (R) | 58.5 | 145,219 |
 | Alan Cohn (D) | 41.5 | 102,835 | |
| Total votes: 248,054 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Bertges (No Party Affiliation)
- Josue Vazquez (No Party Affiliation)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Alan Cohn defeated Gavin Brown, Eddie Geller, Cesar Ramirez, and William VanHorn in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alan Cohn | 33.1 | 14,928 |
 | Gavin Brown | 22.3 | 10,034 | |
 | Eddie Geller | 21.9 | 9,859 | |
 | Cesar Ramirez | 17.3 | 7,817 | |
 | William VanHorn | 5.4 | 2,435 | |
| Total votes: 45,073 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jesse Philippe (D)
- Lily Ramcharran (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Laurel Lee defeated Kelli Stargel, Jackie Toledo, Demetries Grimes, and Kevin McGovern in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laurel Lee | 41.5 | 22,481 |
 | Kelli Stargel | 27.8 | 15,072 | |
 | Jackie Toledo | 11.6 | 6,307 | |
 | Demetries Grimes | 10.4 | 5,629 | |
 | Kevin McGovern | 8.7 | 4,713 | |
| Total votes: 54,202 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dennis A. Ross (R)
- Jay Collins (R)
2020
See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2020
Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Republican primary)
Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 15
Scott Franklin defeated Alan Cohn in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Scott Franklin (R) | 55.4 | 216,374 |
| Alan Cohn (D) | 44.6 | 174,297 | |
| Total votes: 390,671 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kevin Michael Levertt (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Alan Cohn defeated Adam Hattersley, Jesse Philippe, and Kel Britvec in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alan Cohn | 41.0 | 21,079 |
 | Adam Hattersley | 33.0 | 16,978 | |
 | Jesse Philippe | 26.0 | 13,384 | |
 | Kel Britvec (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Total votes: 51,441 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrew Learned (D)
- Loretta Lax Miller (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Scott Franklin defeated incumbent Ross Spano in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Scott Franklin | 51.2 | 30,736 |
 | Ross Spano | 48.8 | 29,265 | |
| Total votes: 60,001 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
Cohn ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. House to represent Florida's 15th District.[1] Cohn ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the primary. He was defeated by incumbent Dennis Ross (R) in the general election on November 4, 2014.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Dennis Ross Incumbent |
60.3% | 128,750 | |
| Democratic | Alan Cohn | 39.7% | 84,832 | |
| Total Votes | 213,582 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Alan Cohn did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Cohn's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Lowering Taxes I will fight to lower the tax burden Floridians are facing from Washington by identifying corruption and curbing wasteful spending. I will work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to lower our taxes and reverse inflation. It is critical that Floridians experience real wage growth and are able to provide for themselves and their families, and I’ll never stop working to find solutions.
We must address the ever increasing cost of prescription drugs, specifically for our seniors. There is no reason that a person should have to refuse life saving medication due to prohibitively high costs. I’ll support legislation to let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices, using the purchasing power of the federal government to deliver real savings to Florida seniors.
It is our responsibility to make investments in education that will best help prepare our children for success in this 21st Century economy, and our duty to prepare the next generation to lead our great country. To do that we are calling for investments in STEM education programs and increasing access to vocational schools, so that students have more options rather than racking up loan debt and paying the high cost of tuition.
I’ll always support the brave first responders that keep our community and families safe. We must invest in our Florida First Responders ensuring that they have the equipment needed to safely do their jobs. Police Departments are constantly asked to do more with less, and I intend to advocate on their behalf for additional resources through police hiring grants, encourage the use of transferred equipment no longer used by the Federal Government, and work across the aisle to ensure we never defund the police.
I will always have the back of those who put their lives on the line to defend America, our values and our beliefs. I’ll make sure that veterans have access to both physical and mental health care when they return from combat. If you’re willing to send these young men to war we must always remember that it is our responsibility to take care of them when they come home. Our soldiers are our heroes and we must continue to treat him as such.
Investment in infrastructure is an economic driver that will create good paying jobs, decrease our commuting time, and improve our quality of life. I will fight to ensure Tampa is not forgotten during the development of the high speed rail line that connects Orlando to Miami. Connecting Tampa to Orlando on this same line would help alleviate the problems associated with driving on the I-4 corridor, giving residents a new option and taking cars off the road.
We must address this issue of inflation so that we can grow our economy, improve wages, and provide safe and secure working environments. To help battle inflation, I will advocate for investing resources into our supply chain and appoint a person whose sole responsibility is to oversee and implement changes that benefit American consumers. We need an economy with more jobs, more good paying jobs, and less expensive items. The price gouging and the companies that are taking a vantage advantage of our consumers should be held accountable for their actions.
It’s critical in this country that we maintain the right to equal protection under the law, granted to us in the United States Constitution. That means I’ll be an advocate for ensuring a woman’s health care is decided between her and her doctor, that the government won’t tell you who you should love, or who you can marry. America was built on the dream that regardless of your race, sexual identity, gender, and age there will be the opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I applaud the decision to protect same-sex marriage in the House of Representatives, and I would support legislation that codifies a woman’s right to choose into federal law.
We are living in a time where there is so much divisiveness in our government, in our communities, and certainly in Congress. I will do my part to bring the American people back together by working across the aisle. I will meet with anybody who can help improve the lives of residents in Florida. It is critical that we support candidates and elected officials who put the needs and wants of their districts over retweets and Facebook likes. I’ll always work for the families of the 15th district and not for some national political party or some national ideology.[4] |
” |
| —Alan Cohn's campaign website (2022)[5] | ||
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Alan Cohn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cohn's responses.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I've made my living investigating corrupt politicians from Washington, to right here at home. I've won one of the nation's highest honors, the George Foster Peabody Award, for uncovering that defective parts were being installed on Blackhawk helicopters flown by our troops. I've helped a lost and forgotten Vietnam veteran get the VA benefits he was wrongly denied for decades. Now I'm running for Congress to hold the powerful accountable. I'm running because while our current Congressman is mired in a federal investigation into illegal loans to his campaign, 60-percent of our friends and neighbors still don't earn what they did before the economic collapse. 40-percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck their While our Congressman is battling investigations, I'm running to focus like a laser beam on the issues that affect us. I also want to make sure women have every right to make their own healthcare decisions and earn what men earn. I want everyone to earn enough money so everyone can make the right choices for their family.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
JFK since I was in elementary school because of his ability to inspire us to greatness as a nation. My wife Patricia, for her passion. for our family and making our state and nation a better place. My daughter Ann for her beauty and how she. cares about people. My son Aaron. No one works harder to be the best they can be. He's the finest man I know.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The West Wing
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Character
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
For over 30-years, Alan has been speaking truth to power. Whether its taking on corporations making defective equipment for the military, exposing criminals, and corrupt politicians, crusading for consumer rights, and standing up for veterans, Alan Cohn earned the reputation as one of the most respected and investigative reporters in the nation.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To passionately advocate for your constituents
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The landing on the moon. 6-years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Desk Assistant at CBS News 5. years.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Profiles in Courage
What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?
The people's house where, if we start sending the right people, can once again become an instrument to make the lives of Americans better.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
No. I've made my living investigating corrupt politicians from Washington, to right here at home. I've won one of the nation's highest honors, the George Foster Peabody Award, for uncovering that defective parts were being installed on Blackhawk helicopters flown by our troops. I've helped a lost and forgotten Vietnam veteran get the VA benefits he was wrongly denied for decades. Now I'm running for Congress to hold the powerful accountable.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
The pressure on middle and working class Americans to make ends meet in an economy where they make less money than they used while the cost of living increases.
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Intelligence , Armed Services, Ways and Means
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I believe one . should have the ability to gain experience to become as effective as possible
Both sitting representatives 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?
https://youtu.be/uST5X5cLuXc
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2014
Cohn's campaign website listed the following issues:[6]
| “ |
|
” |
| —Alan Cohn's campaign website, http://cohnforcongress2014.com/platform/ | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Florida District 15 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedrun - ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection form on September 30, 2019
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Election 2014," November 4, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Cohn for Congress, “Issues,” accessed August 22, 2022
- ↑ Campaign website, "Platform," accessed October 30, 2014
