Meet Josie Tomkow:
Biographical Information
City of Residence: Polk City
Occupation: Cattle Rancher
Education: University of Florida, BA
Born: October 15, 1995, Tampa, FL
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
Recreational Interest: Gator football, hunting, traveling
Legislative Service
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives on May 1, 2018, reelected subsequently
Meet Colleen Burton:
Biographical Information
City of Residence: Lakeland
Occupation: Consultant: Strategic Planning, Community Visioning
Spouse: Jonathan “Brad” Burton of Summit, New Jersey
Child(ren): Chris, Tim, Elizabeth
Grandchild(ren): Blake, June
Education: California State University, Sacramento, B.S., Public Administration, 1980
Born: April 19, Heidelberg, Germany
Moved to Florida: 1987
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Recreational Interest: spending time with family, travel
Legislative Service
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2014, reelected subsequently
Chief Deputy Whip 2016-2018 (8-17-2017-11-6-2018)
Majority Deputy Whip 2016-2018 (11-9-2016-8-17-17)
Deputy Majority Whip, 2014-2016
Affiliations
Catholic Charities of Central Florida, West Central Area Advisory Board
Republican Women’s Club of Lakeland, Federated, past President
United Way of Central Florida Community Impact Cabinet
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly Advisory Board
Central Florida Development Council Board of Directors, past member
Polk County Workforce Development Board, past member
Committee Membership for 2016 – 2018 Term
Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee ( Vice Chair )
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
Ways & Means Committee ( Vice Chair )
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Government Accountability Committee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
Health & Human Services Committee
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Health Quality Subcommittee
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Leadership Roles
Majority Chief Deputy Whip (2016-2018)
Meet Sam Killebrew:
City of Residence: Winter Haven
Occupation: Retired
Spouse: Eileen of Lake Wales, Florida
Child(ren): Heidi, Shane, Kristin, Cameron, Erin
Grandchild(ren): Logan, Sammy, Coy, Jocelyn, Riley, Joseph, Peyton
Born: April 13, 1945, Lakeland, FL
Military: United States Navy, former service
Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian
Legislative Service
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016, reelected subsequently
Affiliations
Veterans and Military Families Caucus, Clerk, 2017
Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, President, 2007-2008, current member
Polk County Sheriff’s Advisory Council, 2006-2007
Dundee Chamber of Commerce, member
Haines City Chamber of Commerce, member
Lake Alfred Chamber of Commerce, member
Highlights
PACE Center for Girls, Polk Believing in Girls Award, 2018
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Honor Roll, 2018
Able Trust, Representative of the Year, 2017
Florida Farm Bureau Federation of Polk County, Champion for Agriculture, 2017
Committee Membership for 2016 – 2018 Term
Commerce Committee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Health Innovation Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Natural Resources & Public Lands Subcommittee
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee
12/12/2016 – 6/30/2017
8/17/2017 – 11/6/2018
Meet Melony Bell:
Get to know me before the election!
I am Melony Bell, the current State Representative for District 56 in Florida. I am running for re-election this November for the same seat. I am a Republican, a Business owner, and a dedicated civil servant. I have lived in the area for 42 years during which I completed a degree in Business Proeffsion and Leadership at Southeastern University, raised children, and owned/managed Bell Apiaries. Over the years, I have been very active in our District’s communities, serving as Polk county commissioner (2010-2018) and Fort Meade City commissioner/Mayor (14 Years). I also had the pleasure of serving as an executive board member for the Career Academies of Polk County, a board member at the Baycare Hosptial Bartow, a board member for the Bartow Economic Development Committee, a board member at the Women’s Club, a member of HELP Fort Meade, and a member of the Fort Meade high school student advisory committee.
My top priorities for the next legislative session, if elected:
Biographical Information
City of Residence: Fort Meade
Occupation: Business Owner
Spouse: Robbie Bell of Bartow, Florida
Child(ren): Ashley Barnett, Whitnie Bell
Education: South Florida Community College, AS; Southeastern University, BS, Business and Professional Leadership
Born: October 29, 1961, Winter Haven, FL
Religious Affiliation: Protestant
Recreational Interest: gardening, spending time with family, travel
Legislative Service
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2018
Highlights
Owner of Bell Apiaries
Current Committee Assignments
Business & Professions Subcommittee
Health Quality Subcommittee
Local Administration Subcommittee
PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
Melony Mincey Bell is currently a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 56th District which covers the entirety of DeSoto and Hardee Counties, as well as part of Polk County. Bell has served as commissioner for the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, as the mayor of Fort Meade, Florida and as a Fort Meade city commissioner.
Previous office: Polk County Commissioner (2010 – 2018)
Contact –
Mailing address: 1301 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 717-5056 (Office)
Meet Bill Braswwell:
Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service and wants to make veterans’ issues a priority. As a blueberry farmer, Commissioner Braswell understands the significance of urbanization of agricultural lands as Polk continues to grow and the need for a balanced approach to planning and development. He was elected to serve as Board Chairman for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Water issues will also be a priority issue for Commissioner Braswell.
Prior to his election to the Board of County Commissioners, Bill Braswell served on the Polk County Planning Commission for three years.
Background
Hobbies
Education
Meet George Lindsey
Commissioner George Lindsey is a leader on our Polk County Commission. Elected in 2012 after serving on the Polk County Charter Review Commission and as its Chairman in 2009, he was re-elected in 2016. During his tenure he served as Chairman of the Polk Regional Water Cooperative and has twice served as Chairman of the County Commission, in 2014-2015 and again in 2018-2019.
With a primary focus on business and job creation, Commissioner Lindsey has been a tireless fighter attracting new employers and removing barriers to the expansion of existing businesses and creation of jobs.
Leading by example, he has worked diligently to ensure that Polk County works together with other cities on matters like planning, water supply and transportation. This cooperation results in better facilities and services for the residents of Polk County, while reducing waste and protecting taxpayer dollars.
A small business owner, George runs a real estate company, Lindsey Realty and Development Corp. As an active member of the Polk County business community, he is perfectly positioned to understand the unique issues that affect small businesses and to advocate on their behalf.
George has been a resident of Lakeland for 40 years. Please make sure to wave when you see George out in the community on is Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.
George Lindsey official campaign website: https://georgelindsey.com/
Meet Greg Steube
A fifth-generation Floridian, Greg Steube has dedicated his life to service. Greg earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida, majoring in Beef Cattle Sciences and minoring in Agricultural Law. Upon completing law school, Greg decided to enlist in the U.S. Army after the September 11th attacks.
In the Army, Greg spent one year as a commissioned Airborne Infantry Officer, and three years in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, serving as a Captain with the 25th Infantry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Greg’s service continued with his election to the State House in 2010, and the State Senate in 2016. In the Florida legislature, Greg used his background in agriculture, law, and the military to build a record of accomplishment and strong defense of conservative principles.
Greg is bringing these conservative credentials to Congress, where he was elected in 2018 to represent Florida’s 17th District. The district is the largest citrus producing district in the country, covering all of Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee counties, as well parts of Sarasota, Lee, and Polk counties.
Greg lives in Sarasota with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Ethan.
