Candidate Q&A: Carolina Amesty, Florida State Representative District 45 (REP)

Editor's note: Candidates responses have not been edited for grammar and are presented as received.

CAROLINA AMESTY
BIO
Age: 27 years old
City/town of residence: Windermere, FL
Family: Not married; engaged; no children
Education: Political science and international relations, University of Central Florida
Qualifications: Carolina serves as the Executive Vice President of Central Christian University. Carolina also serves as a board member for Chaplains of Florida, American Chaplains, and Central Christian Academy. She has been involved in several political campaigns on a local and national level. She is the current President of the Orlando Republican Women Federated, the oldest Republican women organization in Florida, founded in 1924 to empower women in political activism. On February 27, 2020, she was recognized in Washington, DC by the Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel as a Republican rising star. In addition, Carolina owns and manages local businesses in Florida, including a private K-12 academy and a fast-food restaurant. Her passion is to uplift and serve communities. She believes education is the fundamental element to a healthy society. She stands firm on the importance of political and economic freedom, limited government, separation of powers, federalism, and the rights of the people to secure prosperous communities. As an educator, business owner and women of faith she will work tirelessly to ensure a prosperous community for all.

In a crowded primary race, what are the key differences between you and your opponents?
The biggest differences between me and my opponents relate to experience and values. I’m a businesswoman, educator, and oversee both higher education and a K-12 school.
I am a Strong conservative who will stand with Governor Ron DeSantis to push back on the Joe Biden national agenda and seek to lower taxes, reduce regulation, and continue to invest in the infrastructure our state needs.
As a restaurant owner, I understand the difficulties our small business owners go through and as an educator I understand the importance of education NOT indoctrination. 
Faith leads me in all aspects of life. We need less career politicians and more public servants willing to work hard for our community. Since a very young age I’ve been involved in ministry. From leading worship at my local church to becoming a youth leader. My passion is to serve our community with integrity, strong leadership and working hard to see the changes needed to ensure a prosperous community for all. 

What are the values and morals that have guided your life, and how will use them as District 45 representative?
God, family, and the constitution in that order have been the guideposts for my life. I will continue to be guided by them as I make decisions as a state representative. We have to make the protection of our freedom as the highest priority for any government action followed closely by a commitment to our public safety.
America is the greatest country on earth and we have to preserve that. 

What are the three most pressing issues facing our state today, and how will you address them?
We must address the rising cost of property insurance, rising property taxes, and our infrastructure needs.  The most important thing on property insurance is to reform the system to eliminate fraudulent claims and reduce the cost of litigation. On property taxes, we simply need to develop a tax reduction package that makes sense for the average homeowner. On infrastructure, we need to keep the transportation trust fund money intact and maximize it for our immediate needs.

In recent weeks, District 45 voters have received several negative campaign flyers about candidates in this race. What is your opinion on this campaign tactic?
My opponents have said all kinds of nasty and untrue things about me and my campaign. I try to ignore them and remain focused on taking my message to the voters. In this race, there are candidates who have ran multiple times to multiple seats and lost. Now they are desperate and its quite sad that they think its okay to attack via an unethical smear campaign. 
I continue to work very hard, keep pushing my message and praying for Gods will to be done in our district. 

What is your plan to foster communication with District 45 constituents?
As a state representative, I will have quarterly town halls and establish a Coffee with Carolina program to interact with community leaders and citizens and keep in touch with them.
I’m here to serve. 

As District 45 representative, describe how you will work across the aisle.
I will always seek to work with anyone and everyone on mutual challenges, and I do not believe that any one person has a monopoly on solutions. Good governance requires teamwork and utilizing many counselors.

Recent state bills will have an effect on Florida’s public-education system and its curriculum. What is your position on some of these changes?
Florida has become the national leader in school choice. We need to continue in that same direction until every parent or guardian has access to the best educational opportunity to fit their child’s need.

What is your opinion on the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District?
I support the governor. I love Disney, I enjoy going to Disney but Disney need’s to focus on their business purpose/mission like any other corporation and not get involved in our politics nor indoctrinate our littles one. 
It was time to reevaluate that structure and make some changes. 

If elected, what would you like to have accomplished after your first term as District 45 representative?
When elected by the people I will take all steps necessary to ensure we help lower property insurance premiums, reduce property taxes, and eliminate the tax on leases for small businesses. 
Keeping Florida Free!