SOUTHWEST, Fla — In addition to the Presidential race, there are several major local races looking for votes. If you're wondering who's who, here's a brief recap on the local candidates and their agendas.
Byron Donalds is running for the 19th Congressional District seat. He says Congress needs a proven conservative to represent Southwest Florida.
"The other thing, I think, is that our member of Congress has to be able to be a leader in the political culture war that faces America," Donalds says.
"It’s something that requires strong conservatives who are not afraid to speak out and speak up about what conservative principles are. And how it actually fixes a lot of the issues in our country."
Democratic congressional candidate Dr. Cindy Banyai says she plans on bringing her working-class experience to Washington.
"What we’re going to have to do is have a really strong fiscal stimulus plan. I have a lot of other priorities," Dr. Banyai says.
"I usually talk about healthcare and water, our environment, shoring up our community. But honestly, this is going to have to be the priority."
In Lee County, the runoff for Fort Myers Mayor is between current councilman Kevin Anderson and local activist Jacquelyn Mcmiller.
When asked their first line of duty if elected to the Mayor's office, Anderson says, "I would push for a top to bottom, bottom to top audit of the city. A hard look at everything that’s been going on in the city. To make sure we are in line."
McMiller says, "We need law enforcement that is going to make us feel safe. So that’s the city's priority. At least, that should be the city's priority. And, that’s what I’m going to work on."
There are three council seats to fill in Fort Myers.
Johnny Streets is running for re-election as Councilman in Ward 2. In a Youtube video, he says integrity, transparency, safety, and access are his calling cards.
His opponent, Anthony Thomas, says on his Facebook page, he's running on term limits, economic development, improving Ward 2 infrastructure, and criminal justice reform.
In Ward 4, Connie Bennet-Martin says on her website, "We need a leader to address the disrepair in our neighborhood parks, the fishing pier falling apart, inadequate street lighting, and missing or broken sidewalks that put our families at risk."
Former Councilman Liston "Lin" Bochette is also running for Ward 4. On his website, his focus includes "Improving transportation systems and utility infrastructure, enhancing property values and green space, ensuring public safety and strengthening public development."
In Ward 6, Darla Betzer Bonksays on her home page, "I will inspire transparency in government and strategic growth throughout our community."
Also, in Ward 6, Margy Metzler says public office wasn't on her agenda when she moved to Fort Myers, just a "New pathway for what I do best, which is taking care of people."
In the race for Lee County Sheriff, four candidates are running.
Democrat Robert Neeld previously told FOX 4 if elected sheriff, he would work on rebuilding the system, including "demilitarizing the department, de-escalate the violence and aggressiveness in which law enforcement is sometimes associated with, and update the department for the jobs that have been thrust upon it."
Michael "Coach" Ray Qualls on his website says his mission is, "For law enforcement to lift people up, so they can be the best they can be." He also says he can save Lee County 20 million dollars by lowering the crime rate.
Former LCSO Commander and Major Carmen McKinney says it is honor, integrity, and a sense of duty to run.
In his candidate statement, he says, "Over the past year, I have become extremely alarmed at the conduct of the top leadership at the Lee County Sheriff's Office."
McKinney is referring to interim Sheriff Carmine Marceno, who was appointed by then governor Rick Scott when Mike Scott stepped down.
In a FOX 4 investigation, questions were raised into Marceno's employment history in order for him to take the Florida law enforcement exam.
But the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said they didn't have enough to justify further investigation.
Marceno easily won the Republican primary in August.
Election Day is November 3.
