News Articles
State Senate Race May Ride on Primary
Pensacola News Journal, August 2, 2010
Greg Evers and Mike Hill square off in the Republican primary for state Senate District 2 in a race of conservatives in a conservative district.
Primary voters in the heavily Republican district will choose between Evers, a Baker farmer who has served in the House since 2001, and Mike Hill, an Air Force Academy graduate and Pensacola insurance agent.
The district reaches across parts of seven counties, encompassing the northern portions from Escambia to Washington and Bay counties.
Evers has the advantages of incumbency: money and endorsements.
The two share many of the same stands on issues — pro-life, anti-tax — but Hill is also trying to tap into the electorate's displeasure with the status quo.
"Not an incumbent," Hill lists among his qualifications, along with his 10-year Air Force career, business experience and community involvement.
But Evers has raised more than five times as much money as Hill and early on got the key endorsement of the National Rifle Association.
Evers also has been endorsed by other state senators, including Durell Peaden, the term-limited Republican from Crestview this election will replace.
Evers has raised $340,311 through July 23, according to the latest records available, and had $216,781 on hand. Hill has raised $57,100 and had $19,823 on hand.
Hill said his campaign is built on economic development and limiting government. He said he'd phase out the corporate income tax rate over eight years and repeal the more than $2 billion in fee increases enacted last year by the Legislature.
Hill said he'd aim to "reduce the permitting process for businesses (and) form dynamic partnerships between higher education, high-tech companies and the military" to encourage job growth.
Evers, too, says he'd limit government and focus on jobs.
But he's also filed immigration legislation.
"We need to get control of illegal immigration," Evers said. He's filed legislation for consideration during special session that mirrors Arizona's now court-curtailed law. He says he'll file it again if elected.
A write-in candidate and an uncontested Florida Tea Party candidate also will appear on November's ballot. The Tea Party candidate, Christopher S. Crawford, is an Orlando resident who only raised the money — from the nascent party itself — to pay the $1,781.82 qualification fee to become a candidate.
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