“A Lifelong Local”: Yonce Highlights District Ties in Challenge to Randy Fine
Community members gathered at Petey’s Beer and Wine Garden in Palatka on Saturday to hear from Eric Yonce, a Democrat who is running to unseat Randy Fine in Florida’s 6th congressional district.
The event opened with a short introduction and soft questions like Yonce’s favorite action movie (Saving Private Ryan), his favorite band (Pearl Jam), and Hillary or Bernie (Bernie!) before transitioning into more serious questions from attendees.
When asked about this stance on Florida police cooperating with ICE, Yonce reminded that Florida law requires law enforcement to cooperate with ICE operations under threat of job loss for failing to comply. Yonce also condemning the violence perpetrated by ICE operations.
In her questions, Palatka Mayor Robbie Correa stressed the importance of fighting for federal funds allocated for the district that it is yet to receive. A fight Yonce promised to take up if elected to Congress.
For a more complete list of questions and answers, click here.
Perhaps the most important question asked was why voters should choose Yonce over other candidates. Yonce acknowledged that voters would likely hear similar answers from the other democrat candidates. Yonce emphasized his lifelong ties to Florida’s 6th district- having been raised in Ocala and now living in Ormond Beach. Yonce also referenced district 6’s history of being used as a political stepping stone for representatives living outside of the district to launch their political careers without truly serving or protecting district 6’s interests. Yonce stated that as a life long local, he understood the culture and history of his district and would fight to preserve such as the district continues to grow.
Yonce concluded by encouraging residents to stay engaged and participate in the upcoming election. Voters in Florida’s 6th Congressional District will ultimately determine whether his emphasis on local roots and federal advocacy is enough to shift representation in Washington.
