Hamilton Hanson is running without party affiliation for the District 35 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

In lieu of responding to a questionnaire sent to all candidates, Hanson sent the following statement:

As a first-time candidate, I am truly overwhelmed by the constant stream of surveys I am receiving to be completed and returned.  I’m not overwhelmed by the amount of work they involve in providing answers, but I AM overwhelmed that all of the surveys have a purpose of adding NEW legislation to the already over-burdening legislation now in place.

I am a Constitutional, small “c”  conservative.  The following dictionary definitions may help to understand my philosophy.

CONSERVE:  To keep in a safe or sound state; to avoid wasteful or destructive use.

CONSERVATIVE:  A political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; cautious, discreet, thoughtful, deliberative.

On that basis, I am neither seeking endorsements for my candidacy, nor am I seeking public office merely to make more rules.  I will work to remove rules for living mandated on others while often leaving the elected officials and/or special interest groups exempt from those same rules, and rules which have not been approved by a consensus (75%) of the total population in my district. 

The surveys most often ask for MY opinion on a variety of subjects, and then ask me to commit to voting on specific details of any future legislation.

My response has now been formulated in the following way:

At the federal level, we have a book of how to govern.  Amendment X says that all duties and responsibilities not listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution will be reserved to the States.  On that basis, all federal legislation outside Article 1, Section 8 will receive a negative response from me.

At the State level, a consensus of the citizens in my district must notify me (positive action) of their desire for the legislation in question.  Without a large consensus of all (not just the voters) my constituents, my response will be negative.

On that basis, I would suggest that you educate my constituents on your desires and gain a consensus opinion for passage of your suggested rules for others to live by.

Thank you for forwarding your questionnaire.  MY opinion is not the determining factor.  The affirmative desires of a consensus of all my constituents will win the day for your agenda.