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James Buchanan
Lew Wasserman
3 candidates. Listed as they appear on the ballot.
James Buchanan
Lew Wasserman
Position on major issues
Representative James Buchanan is a proven fighter and has the knowledge to provide real solutions to the challenges facing Floridians. In Tallahassee, James held the government accountable, promoted workforce development, supported our first responders, and worked to preserve Southwest Florida’s unique environment. He has spearheaded legislation advocating for the most vulnerable Floridians with developmental disabilities and their families.
Lew Wasserman is a candidate running for the Florida State Senate to represent District 22. A resident of Lakewood Ranch, Wasserman is an attorney, educator, and a former Acting Chair of the Manatee County Executive Committee.
Wasserman campaigns on a platform centered around local home rule, structural consumer protection, and investments in public resource.
Party is hidden. Tap a black bar to reveal.
No bio available for this candidate
3 candidates. Listed as they appear on the ballot.
We share more ground than you might expect
Thinking for yourself matters
Official record
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Voted Yes on OGSR/Aquaculture Records
Voted Yes on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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Voted Yes on Data Centers
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Preparing the Next Generation The world our children are inheriting is changing at a pace none of us has lived through before. Read full quote
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
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Voted Yes on Commencement of Civil Actions
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Allows First Responder and Military Branch flags to be flown, without penalty, in HOA's. (CS/CS/HB 437) Co-sponsored the Firefighters Cancer Bill (HB 7129). Co-sponsor of the “Offenses Against Firefighters”.
Official record
Voted Yes on Child Pornography Terminology
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+81 more
I will strongly advocate for legislation which increases civil and criminal penalties for abuse by contractors, insurance companies, and fraudulent homeowners.
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
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Co-sponsored Deregulation of Professions & Occupations Bill (HB 1193).
Official record
Voted Yes on Public Employees Relations Commission
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
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SB 1264 History of Communism creates a required instructional curriculum for public school students on the atrocities and following consequences done by communist regimes.
Supported Governor DeSantis’ initiative on increased Teacher Salaries.
Secured millions for the MOTE Marine STEM Educational Laboratory at their new facility.
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+96 more
We are failing too many of our students, teachers, and parents through the way we currently approach both K–12 education and higher education. Read full quote
Currently, property insurance costs are out of control, the cost of living keeps climbing, and our natural lands and clean water systems urgently need protection. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
Preparing the Next Generation The world our children are inheriting is changing at a pace none of us has lived through before. Read full quote
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
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The right to vote is one of the fundamental principles upon which our country was founded. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
If I'm elected, I will hold regular, in-person town halls across both Sarasota and Manatee counties. I will be reachable — not through layers of staff, but directly. And I will explain my votes, especially the ones you disagree with, because that's what accountability actually looks like.
District 22 has been treated as a guaranteed seat by one party for so long that the people who live here have effectively stopped being part of the conversation. Read full quote
He voted twice against letting the residents of Siesta Key even hold a referendum on their own future. He's been a reliable vote for the laws that strip planning and zoning authority away from our cities and counties.
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
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Official record
Voted Yes on Rural Electric Cooperatives
Voted Yes on Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Cosponsored Advanced Nuclear Reactors
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Secured $1,500,000 for the Dona Bay Restoration Project.
Banned ESG and DEI policies, programs, and departments. Record funding for water quality projects and environmental restoration.
Water Quality & Environment State Land Acquisition Codifies $100 Million annually to the Florida Forever Land Acquisition program. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+36 more
Our district's natural environment is not only part of what makes our community beautiful, it supports our economy, protects our quality of life, and sustains the waterways, beaches, and wildlife that define this region. Read full quote
Currently, property insurance costs are out of control, the cost of living keeps climbing, and our natural lands and clean water systems urgently need protection. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
Storm management, water quality, water availability, and the preservation of natural habitats are not optional priorities. Read full quote
Local people deserve local control. As your state senator, I will fight every preemption of home rule that puts developer profits ahead of community character, environmental protection, and the will of local voters.
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
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Voted Yes on Children’s Initiatives
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Voted Yes on Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer
Cosponsored Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer
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District 22 has been treated as a guaranteed seat by one party for so long that the people who live here have effectively stopped being part of the conversation. Read full quote
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
No public positions found.
Supported Telehealth in Florida, which has proved critical to providing care throughout the Pandemic.
Individuals with Disabilities Mandates The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to offer an online waiver application. Read full quote
Official record
Voted Yes on Health Care
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+100 more
Our healthcare system does not come close to meeting its full potential. Read full quote
Currently, property insurance costs are out of control, the cost of living keeps climbing, and our natural lands and clean water systems urgently need protection. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
Caring for Those Who Cared for Us My father passed away from dementia. Read full quote
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
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Went toe-toe with Big Insurance companies and other politicians to lower costs.
Will construct the Nancy Detert Residential Community.
Official record
Voted Yes on Local Housing Assistance Plans
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+13 more
Florida now has some of the highest property insurance costs in America and the pain this causes our neighbors demands immediate action. Read full quote
I will strongly advocate for legislation which increases civil and criminal penalties for abuse by contractors, insurance companies, and fraudulent homeowners.
Currently, property insurance costs are out of control, the cost of living keeps climbing, and our natural lands and clean water systems urgently need protection. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
For years, the Florida Legislature has steadily stripped cities and counties of their authority to plan their own communities. Read full quote
The Live Local Act and its expansions (SB 102, SB 328, SB 1730) have systematically transferred planning and zoning authority from local governments to Tallahassee — in many cases overriding the comprehensive plans our cities and counties spent years developing.
Local people deserve local control. As your state senator, I will fight every preemption of home rule that puts developer profits ahead of community character, environmental protection, and the will of local voters.
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
No public positions found.
Passed new laws to keep Florida safe from illegal immigration.
Co-sponsor of the Federal Immigration Enforcement Bill requiring state & local government agencies to use best efforts to support enforcement of federal immigration law.
Official record
Voted Yes on Employment Eligibility
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+4 more
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$17,500,000 in Appropriations over the past two sessions.
$2,000,000 in Appropriations for local projects
Blue Ridge/ Salford Sewer expansion and Price road mitigation and Mobility Project
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+39 more
Our district's natural environment is not only part of what makes our community beautiful, it supports our economy, protects our quality of life, and sustains the waterways, beaches, and wildlife that define this region. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
No public position found.
No public positions found.
Official record
Voted Yes on Assessments Levied on Recreational Vehicle Parks
Voted Yes on Official Actions of Local Governments
We know what it is like when state government plays political chess with our local autonomy. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
He voted twice against letting the residents of Siesta Key even hold a referendum on their own future. He's been a reliable vote for the laws that strip planning and zoning authority away from our cities and counties.
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
No public positions found.
Official record
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Supported billions in tax reliefs to ease the affects of Bidenflation
Co-sponsored Local Government Fiscal Transparency Bill (HB 1149).
Passed a sound & fiscal budget reserving billions for natural disasters.
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+52 more
Florida now has some of the highest property insurance costs in America and the pain this causes our neighbors demands immediate action. Read full quote
We know what it is like when state government plays political chess with our local autonomy. Read full quote
Sources
https://www.lewforsenate22.com/
At both the state and local level, government has grown accustomed to spending without serious oversight. Read full quote
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
No public positions found.
Took on Big Tech companies to keep children safe.
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+6 more
No public position found.
Preparing the Next Generation The world our children are inheriting is changing at a pace none of us has lived through before. Read full quote
Sources
https://martinhydeforsenate.comArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930023429/https://martinhydeforsenate.com
No public positions found.
Co-sponsored HB 1329, which connects employers to Veterans and offers expanded outreach, marketing, and support services for Veterans.
Sources
https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issuesArchived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260930013626/https://www.buchananforflorida.com/the-issues
+2 more
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Official record
Did not vote on OGSR/Persons Provided Public Emergency Shelter
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Coverage differs between candidates because it depends on what each candidate has published. A short list does not mean a candidate has no views.
Corrections address not set yet.
James Buchanan
Lew Wasserman
Martin Hyde
James Buchanan
Representative James Buchanan is a proven fighter and has the knowledge to provide real solutions to the challenges facing Floridians. In Tallahassee, James held the government accountable, promoted workforce development, supported our first responders, and worked to preserve Southwest Florida’s unique environment. He has spearheaded legislation advocating for the most vulnerable Floridians with developmental disabilities and their families.
Visit the campaign site
Connect with James Buchanan:
Lew Wasserman
Lew Wasserman is a candidate running for the Florida State Senate to represent District 22. A resident of Lakewood Ranch, Wasserman is an attorney, educator, and a former Acting Chair of the Manatee County Executive Committee.
Wasserman campaigns on a platform centered around local home rule, structural consumer protection, and investments in public resource.
Party is hidden. Tap a black bar to reveal.
Visit the campaign site
Connect with Lew Wasserman:
Martin Hyde
Connect with Martin Hyde:
Running for
State Senator, District 22
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Election Day
November 3, 2026
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