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We are just over five weeks away from the November midterms and we're ramping up our Election Spotlight series.
We start with the race for the open seat on the Palm Beach County Commission in District 6. Melissa McKinlay is termed out and she's endorsing the Democrat candidate in this race.
But first, Sara Baxter hopes to become just the second Republican on the Board and has big concerns about spending.
"I would say most budgetary issues need to come down to what's best for all of the citizens, regardless of party affiliation. And that's what having a different perspective brings."
Baxter is a small business owner and those COVID closures are also a big part of her campaign platform.
"Currently we don't have anyone up there that has that small business perspective...who has started it from the ground up and gone through the process over the last eleven years and seen what that looks like. And so when they're up there making these decisions for small businesses, you know, it's very obvious that they don't quite understand all that entails."
Democrat candidate Michelle Oyola McGovern worked for former U.S. Senator and current NASA Administrator Bill Nelson for 18 years. I asked McGovern to name some priorities should she get elected.
"I think top on everyone's mind is the economy and affordability and access to housing and that seems to be some of the top issues that I hear about along the campaign trail."
She lists "fiscal responsibility and keeping taxes low" among her priorities and had this to say when asked about her opponent, Republican Sara Baxter's, claims that the county's budget is too high.
"I advocated for and I''m glad that the County Commission passed the lowering of the millage rate but look, Palm Beach County happens to be one of the counties that is sought after the most all over the country. We're seeing incredible growth here and we're also seeing an incredible increase in home values and that certainly adds to the budget."
But Baxter claims that despite a drop in the millage rate, the 2023 fiscal year's budget amounts to a 13 percent tax increase.
Election Day is November 8 and Early Voting starts on October 24th.