PUBLISHED SEPT. 22, 2016
Sun City Center Chamber invites residents to hobnob with the candidates
By LOIS KINDLE
LARRY BRIGANT PHOTO
Fifteen candidates appearing on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election will either appear or send a representative to the Sun City Area Chamber’s Political Hobnob Nov. 26. A large crowd turned out for the chamber’s Eggs & Issues event in August.
The general election is getting close, and the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce wants the community to meet the candidates who will affect them locally.
Toward that end, it will host an event called Political Hobnob from 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 26, in the chamber banquet room. Fifteen candidates appearing on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election will either appear at the event or send a representative.
All have actually paid for a table, where they will meet and greet residents, glad hand and pass out campaign literature.
“We’re hosting Political Hobnob following the pre-primary Eggs & Issues event we held in August, when folks had the opportunity to meet the primary candidates,” said chamber CEO Dana Dittmar. “We had a large turnout then, and now we want those same residents to come in and ask the actual candidates about the issues that are important to them.”
Dittmar is urging everyone in the community to stop in during the event.
“This year in particular we’re having a very important election,” she said. “Too often we get caught up in the presidential candidates and forget it’s actually the local candidates who have the most impact on our day-to-day lives.
“This event is an opportunity for residents to get to know who our local officials might be and their plans for office should they get elected.”
Dittmar said Political Hobnob is part of the chamber’s governance mission of ensuring residents have the chance to have their voices heard.
The following candidates or someone representing them are scheduled to appear:
U.S. Senate
Patrick Murphy (D)
Marco Rubio (R), (representative)
U.S. Representative
Vern Buchanan (R)
Jan Schneider (D)
State Attorney
Mark Ober (R)
Andrew Warren (D)
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Eric Seidel (R)
Property Appraiser
Bob Henriquez (D)
Todd Jones (R)
County Commission Dist. 6
Pat Kemp (D)
Tim Schock (R)
Circuit Court Group 24
Gary Dolgin
Melissa Polo
School Board Dist. 7
Lynn Gray
Catherine “Cathy” James
Admission to Political Hobnob is free, and refreshments will be served.
For further information, call 813-634-5111.
