Ken Organes
Ken Organes (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 16. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Organes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 16
Incumbent Jason Fischer defeated Ken Organes in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 16 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jason Fischer (R) | 58.5 | 46,331 |
 | Ken Organes (D)  | 41.5 | 32,812 | |
| Total votes: 79,143 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 16
Ken Organes advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 16 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Ken Organes |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 16
Incumbent Jason Fischer advanced from the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 16 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jason Fischer |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ken Organes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Organes' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My number one priority is to work for safe, well funded public schools. I want students to have a safe learning environment and for parents to feel that their children are secure. Teachers should be able to earn a fair living without working multiple jobs. I am for a clean sustainable environment for the benefit of future generations and to support and encourage tourism in Florida. I am for fairness and equity for all, regardless of race, religion, sexual preference or ethnicity. I am in support of a state-wide human rights ordinance in the state of Florida.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am passionate about returning a voice in government back to the people of Florida. The current legislature is listening to the special interest groups only. This is obvious in the legislation that is being passed. It doesn't need to be the way. Floridians shouldn't come in second to the special interest groups any longer.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty and listening to one's constituents.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have nothing to gain from public office and I am not beholden to any special interest group. I came out of retirement because I feel it is my civic duty to properly represent the citizens of Florida.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave behind a Florida with clean air and water free from pollutants, algae and red tide. I envision clean, good paying industry with a minimal footprint on the environment. I want to see a Florida government that listens and responds to the concerns of average Floridians and not the special interest groups.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
My Florida political hero is Lawton Chiles.
Both sitting legislators 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?
I was out canvassing recently in a modest neighborhood. In encountered an elderly man walking home with a small bundle. He was walking because he didn't have a car. We began talking about the upcoming election and he began to cry about the current situation in our country and our state. He kept repeating, "This isn't the America I grew up with." I offered him water and he eventually composed himself. I told him things will get better and that they are already getting better. That the fact he has a choice of Florida House candidates for the first time in twelve years means that things are improving. I left him sad but a little more hopeful. Never had I felt so sure that I'm doing the right thing in running to support the people of Florida.
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.
See also
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Florida House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Florida House of Representatives
External links
Footnotes
