The Democrat primary for State House, District 81 is in our Election Spotlight. Representative Tina Polsky is vacating it for a state Senate run.
Michael Weinstein is a criminal trial attorney and the son of a former state Senator and judge.
"The priority has got to be COVID-19 in the very first Legislative session and I also think that the governor, if necessary, should call a special session to address it."
Weinstein wants to increase funding for public schools, which will remain closed to start the school year.
"When the health experts advise us that it's okay to safely reopen, then I will support that."
When we told Weinstein that CDC Director Robert Redfield said it's critical to get children in school...
"I don't think that a political appointee is someone that I'm going to trust 100 percent at this point in time. I would like to hear Dr. (Anthony) Fauci talk about it and I want to make sure that there is maybe a vaccine in place."
Weinstein faces former State Representative Kelly Skidmore, who served in the House from 2006 to 2010.
"There's no learning curve. I've been through the budget process of the Great Recession."
She also spoke of the importance of making COVID-19 the Legislature's priority, especially considering District 81 encompasses the Glades communities, hot spots for the virus.
"We need more testing. We need tracking and tracing. We are woefully, woefully behind on being able to track and trace."
Hear more from both candidates in the above audio players.
Early voting is now underway in Palm Beach County for the August 18 primary.
Photo: Getty Images