In Hernando County voters will chose a candidate to represent them in the Florida House of Representatives as well as two county commissioner seats.
In the race to become State House Representative for District 35, the candidates are Republican Blaise Ingoglia, Democrat Rose Rocco, Hamilton Hanson and James Scavetta, who both have no party affiliation.
Ingoglia and Rocco were unopposed in the August primary.
Ingoglia, a chairman of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee and vice chair of the Florida Republican Party, is looking to add more jobs to the district. If elected, he would make education and economic development his top priorities.
Rocco, a former Hernando County commissioner, has been an advocate for insurance reform and its impact on real estate and home ownership.
She also sees a need for educational opportunities in current fields of technology to create job opportunities and bring companies to Hernando County.
Hanson, who considers himself a "small 'c' conservative, says the amount of legislation being added to the already over-burdening legislation now in place is overwhelming. Hanson hopes to eliminate rules that have not been approved by a consensus (75 percent) of the total population in the district.
Scavetta believes the government is stripping people of their rights and he wants to restore them. Among some of the issues he is passionate about are funds not being used for their appropriated projects -- which is why he opposes the Penny for Projects tax increase -- and officials not being accessible enough.
A congressional seat will also be chosen in the general election to represent U.S. House District 11, which encompasses both Hernando and Citrus counties.
Incumbent Richard Nugent (R), a veteran and former sheriff, faces Democrat Dave Koller.
Nugent formerly held Florida's 5th Congressional seat, which represents parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Polk counties, as well as other Central Florida counties before representing District 11.
Koller wants to bring more social issues to the table, which he says have been ignored in the county time and time again. Koller owns a small business that is dedicated to training disabled persons to enable them to enter the workforce.
If elected, Koller said he will work to protect veterans, seniors and the education of children. He would like to help to implement and move forward clean and renewable energy programs, as well as encourage programs that will create jobs and support fair wages for all.
Nugent is responsible for bringing the Balanced Budget Amendment to the floor of the House and returning nearly $2 million to Hernando County in 2009.
Running for the District 2 seat on the Hernando County Commission is incumbent Wayne Dukes (R), Democrat Jimmy Lodato, and Brian Moore, who has no party affiliation.
Dukes wants to continue his work to support economic development and job creation. He says he will work to create a user-friendly business environment as well as to continue improving the permitting process.
Lodato believes his extensive business background and close ties with national companies will enable him to expand economic and business development. In a candidate questionnaire, he said his top priorities would be to unite the community, which includes schools, business and government in order to enhance job growth.
If elected, Moore said he would work to preserve the county's identity with nature and its semi-rural environment, fight any and all increased taxes and wasteful spending by the county commission, as well as serve the county's seniors and veterans.
"I contend that we need to address and solve the citizens real needs as mentioned above, which will make the county more attractive to businesses and people to want to move here," Moore said.
Moore is the only candidate in the race who opposes the proposed penny sales tax referendum that the majority of county residents and voters will vote against in November.
In District 4, Jeff Holcomb defeated candidate Laurie Pizzo in the primary. Holcomb faces Democrat Daniel Oliver and no-party candidate H. David Werder to replace retiring, two-term commissioner David Russell.
Holcomb, a software consultant, is focused on expanding the county's economy and creating job growth.
"I will work every day to promote economic development in Hernando County," Holcomb said in a candidate questionnaire. "I will work to make our county an attractive place to outsiders by having great amenities including highly rates school system and opportunities for adult skills training"
Holcomb cites his experience in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the private sector as the reason why he's the smart pick in the race.
Hernando County residents will also vote on a referendum regarding a one cent government infrastructure surtax.
All parts of Hernando County will see infrastructure improvements if the penny is approved.
Officials say the sales tax will be used to make road and traffic flow improvements, create jobs, improve access to technology for all students and teachers in Hernando County public and charter schools, and create infrastructure improvements including broadband internet connection, water and sewer improvements and sidewalks.
If adopted, the tax will be effective for 10 years, beginning January 1, 2015.