RADICALLY RIGHT

Five Republican candidates met in Ave Maria to make their case for representing Florida's 22nd Congressional District. This in-depth recap covers every major question, summarizes each candidate's responses, and includes my independent analysis to help voters make an informed decision before Election Day.

Seven Republican candidates shared one stage, but they offered very different visions for representing Southwest Florida in Congress. After attending the debate, I evaluated each candidate on policy, leadership, communication, and their understanding of District 19. While Madison Cawthorn and John Strand delivered the strongest debate performances, the candidate who earned my vote was someone else entirely.

Behind the endorsements, headlines, and fundraising is another story. I examine Byron Donalds' public record, from stock trading disclosures and education proposals to debate avoidance, missed votes, and political strategy. This opinion piece is based on publicly available reports, court filings, and government records.

James Fishback presents himself as the outsider ready to lead Florida. But public records tell a much different story. From residency questions and court cases to financial disputes and controversy surrounding Incubate Debate, this opinion piece examines the documented record and asks whether Florida voters are getting the full picture.

Over the last 40 hours, I witnessed something bigger than political disagreement. I witnessed what happens when loyalty replaces independent thought. This isn't about one politician or one movement. It's about a generation searching for belonging and the danger of confusing a political tribe with personal identity. Before you give your loyalty to any leader, ask yourself one question: Are you following the truth, or just following the crowd?

I've spent years inside Florida classrooms. I've taught students across multiple grade levels. I've worked in Exceptional Student Education. I've sat through countless IEP meetings. I've written accommodations, monitored progress, attended parent conferences, developed interventions, and advocated for students who genuinely needed specialized support. That experience is precisely why Byron Donalds' proposal for an individualized learning plan for every Florida student concern

As someone active in Collier County’s political circles, attending events and closely following local leadership, I have watched Commissioner Bill McDaniel’s tenure with growing concern. Now, as talk intensifies of a possible congressional run backed by substantial funding and influential support, it is important for residents to carefully examine the public record.

I spent years inside the public school system. What parents think happens in classrooms and what actually happens are two very different realities.

Did you know that political correctness is a Marxist term? It didn’t come from Hollywood. It wasn’t born on Tumblr. It originated in Communist circles—used explicitly to enforce ideological obedience and suppress dissent. Let’s walk through how we got from Stalin’s gulags to DEI seminars and cancel culture. Because this isn’t about kindness. It’s about control.

America is still reeling from the consequences of Joe Biden’s open border agenda. During his presidency, more than 10 million illegal migrants crossed into the U.S., overwhelming schools, hospitals, and housing systems. Now, under President Trump, the nation is beginning to reckon with the damage. This wasn’t compassion. It was sabotage — and we’re all paying the price.

I was barely in my twenties, doing psychology hours in college, when I walked into Fellowship House in Miami—a facility for people with severe mental disorders. Schizophrenia. Bi-polar. Depression so deep it swallowed people whole. It wasn’t abstract in there. It was real. It had a face.

We are not well. Not as a nation. Not as a culture. Not as a people. We are loud, angry, performative, and exhausted—and worst of all, we are becoming unrecognizable to one another. Not because of disagreements, but because of dehumanization. Because instead of challenging ideas, we now destroy the people behind them. It’s no longer enough to debate. We cancel. We dox. We silence. We humiliate.

As a former educator, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when you lower the bar in the name of “equity.” The latest proposal from San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) under the euphemism of “Grading for Equity” is not reform—it’s surrender.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about wealth—real wealth. The kind that stacks billions on top of billions while the people who make it all possible can barely afford rent. And here’s the thing: I’m a capitalist. I believe in the hustle. I believe in the freedom to build something from the ground up. I believe in taking risks, investing smart, & reaping the rewards. I’m not asking the government to hand anything out or step in to control private business. But let’s be real—t

Labeling isn’t just a tool used by those in power—it’s a lazy shortcut used by cowards, mobs, and weak-minded ideologues who are scared to actually debate you. You don’t have to silence someone if you can make people stop listening first. You don’t have to ban a voice when you can just smear the person behind it.

President Trump’s recent proposal to redirect $3 billion from Harvard University to trade schools across the country has reignited a conversation this country should’ve had years ago: What kind of education actually serves American students?

I didn’t grow up chasing trends. I grew up listening to truth. Pink Floyd didn’t just make music—they peeled back reality. Coltrane didn’t play notes—he played soul. Celia Cruz didn’t just sing—she commanded joy through struggle. Benny Moré made you feel Cuba with every note.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I’m not an extremist. I’m not waiting for a savior in a red tie. I just know BS*** when I see it—and I’m not afraid to call it.