Seeta Durjan Begui
Seeta Durjan Begui (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 52. Begui lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Begui 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 52
Incumbent Thad Altman defeated Seeta Durjan Begui in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 52 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Thad Altman (R) | 63.7 | 57,867 |
 | Seeta Durjan Begui (D)  | 36.3 | 32,975 | |
| Total votes: 90,842 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = 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 52
Seeta Durjan Begui advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 52 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Seeta Durjan Begui |
| ||||
| = 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 52
Incumbent Thad Altman defeated Matt Nye in the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 52 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Thad Altman | 55.8 | 13,339 |
 | Matt Nye | 44.2 | 10,551 | |
| Total votes: 23,890 | |||
| = 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
Seeta Durjan Begui completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Begui's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Affordable Health Care, Protecting the Environment, and Education.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Planned Parenthood, Saving the Lagoon and our Estuaries, and Sensible Gun Control.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My mother was the smartest person I have ever known. She had wisdom way past her education, and compassion and respect for all humans. She taught me so many things about household budgets (when you don't even have the change to call it a budget), respect for the environment and your community, and how to be a responsible human that contributes what you can to change things for the better.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I was part of a book club for many years; I have so many to choose from. I love biographies, and books that entertain and educate about other cultures and adventures. My book and movie choices, more speak about me as a person rather than to define my politics.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Most important characteristics of a person holding office would be activism for your constituents, honesty and communication (transparency), and be open to all sides and conversations about the issues at hand, to provide options to quicker resolutions.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Trust, respect and communication are the attributes and skills that I have earned, and will continue to grow, as I serve the citizens of District 52.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The Core responsibility is to the citizens. It is an honor and a privilege to be on the ballot - I don't take that responsibility lightly.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That we can find resolutions without discontent, or name calling, or hatefulness.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I always worked around the home and in our father's store in Trinidad. When I came to the U.S at 18 I worked as a housekeeper.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I love all holidays because of the food. Our family is multi cultural, we celebrate everything! I am known for my curry chicken and rice.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I was part of a book club for many years; I have so many to choose from. I love biographies, and books that entertain and educate about other cultures and adventures. I just love learning about people and places.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing is my kitchen. Its where we share family time, relax around the table and chat about our day.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Anything calypso or Bollywood movie theme song will always get stuck in my head.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
My best struggle was being one of 18 children. You learn recycling, and respect for things and people, and sharing - Quickly. I consider the experiences I had as a child, young adult, and young mother a bit of a struggle, but I made it through it. My life now is always challenging, but no longer a struggle. I have a great job as a Nurse that I love. I have a wonderful husband, a great family, and great friends. I GET to campaign for a District Seat as a Woman, Legal immigrant, wife, mother, grandmother and hope to change some lives for the better.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The only significant difference between the House and Senate are Term limits and the number of seats.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I don't believe that it should be required that candidates have prior experience in politics; however, they should have to prove some activism activities on a consistent basis in some local, visible organization.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Our entire state is affected by the Indian River Lagoon pollution - so, for me, the environment has got to take one of the top 3. Affordable health care for all citizens, it should be a right and not a privilege. Safe public education; where our children can concentrate on school and not "shooter" drills or bullying; and, our teachers are respected and compensated for the jobs they do.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The ideal relationship between the Governor and Legislature is accountability. Do what you say you are going to do, do your homework, and follow up.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Relationships are important with everyone. I think you can glean so much information by listening to other perspectives of issues. I truly love meeting people and hearing their ideas of what they would want changed.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Between traditional legislative process to a commission redistricting plans, I could argue either one. I haven't been a part of either of these processes before; my gut is to always go to a carefully chosen commission - less people to debate makes the process faster.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I am already active in my community for Saving the Lagoon - so an environmental committee would suit me. I also gravitate toward Health Care reform, Immigration reform, and Public Education.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I would love to keep making a difference. If that means running for another office, I will.
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 work in a rehab hospital. I see seniors who have had full lives and now are at the end of their life just enjoying every bit they can of the things that matter. They have history and magical moments that changed their families lives or their communities lives. When my patients are talking to me now about local politics and my candidacy, they encourage me to listen, to question authority or "the way we've always done it", and to "be myself". When I talk to people, more and more, I want to represent District 52. I want to prove that you can "do" politics without hate (for all those that have name-called me; I have to say I had to look up what they meant). I want to prove that you can educate yourself about things and change your perspective (people impress me all the time). I want to prove that with a good education our communities and our families thrive. Lets all take care of the Lagoon! Pick up trash. Be aware. Lastly, I want to make sure that every family has access to health care where they don't have to choose between the power bill and a co-payment. Those are the stories I've heard. #ThatiswhyIchoosetorun #Someonehastohelp #Itmightaswellbeme
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
