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Cathy Higgins
Debra Tendrich
Candidates listed as they appear on the ballot.
Cathy Higgins
Debra Tendrich
Position on major issues
Cathy Higgins is a lifelong Palm Beach County resident, small business owner, educator, and experienced public servant running to represent District 89 in Tallahassee. A Florida Atlantic University graduate with deep community roots, she emphasizes fiscal responsibility, neighborhood improvement, faith, and protecting local families’ quality of life.
Debra Tendrich is a politician currently serving as the incumbent State Representative for Florida House District 89. Tendrich is a resident of Lake Worth and a nonprofit founder who serves as the Executive Director of Eat Better Live Better, an organization focused on childhood nutrition. Within the legislature, she holds assignments on several panels, including the Select Committee on Property Taxes and the Health Care Budget Subcommittee. She was recognized as the "Elected Official of the Year" by the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for her pragmatic, community-focused legislative style.
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Candidates listed as they appear on the ballot.
We share more ground than you might expect
Thinking for yourself matters
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Voted Yes on OGSR/Aquaculture Records
Voted Yes on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Sponsored Food Additives
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Voted Yes on Data Centers
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Voted Yes on Commencement of Civil Actions
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Stand firmly with law enforcement and securing our neighborhoods, because quality of life starts with feeling safe.
Implemented a reverse 911 emergency notification system and focused heavily on supporting the local police department.
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.comhttps://votecathyhiggins.com/about/
Public Safety and First Responders: She maintains a collaborative relationship with local law enforcement, passing public pension legislation to fortify benefits for West Palm Beach police officers and firefighters. Read full quote
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Voted Yes on Child Pornography Terminology
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Highlighting South Florida's economic pressures, Higgins places top priority on finding practical state solutions to combat inflation, rising property insurance premiums, and soaring housing costs.
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.com/
Official record
Voted No on Public Employees Relations Commission
Voted Yes on OGSR/Administration of Small Business Loan Programs Held by an Economic Development Agency
Voted Yes on Department of Commerce
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Educational Excellence Support competitive pay for teachers, protecting school choice, and expanding access to top-tier career and technical trade programs.
Florida is facing a real affordability crisis—from rising property insurance and housing costs to inflation at the grocery store and at the pump. Read full quote
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.com
Education and Parental Rights: Her platform strongly supports public school systems, teacher retention, and expanded mental health services in schools. Read full quote
Sources
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/800670-debra-tendrich-named-elected-official-of-the-year-by-state-social-workers-association/
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Voted Yes on Rural Electric Cooperatives
Voted Yes on Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Cosponsored Florida Public Service Commission
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Responsible Growth Manage development thoughtfully to protect local infrastructure, green spaces, and quality of life.
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.com
Official record
Voted Yes on Petroleum Cleanup Programs
Voted Yes on Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Permits
Voted Yes on Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
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Domestic Violence Reform: A premier component of Tendrich’s legislative profile is her push for survivor protections. Read full quote
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Voted Yes on Children’s Initiatives
Sources
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eatbetterlivebetter
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Voted No on Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer
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Upgraded the city’s website for better transparency and streamlined the permitting process for residents and contractors.
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Voted Yes on Health Care
Did not vote on Uterine Fibroid Research Database
Voted Yes on Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Permits
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Fight rising costs so families and seniors can afford to stay in the communities they love.
Florida is facing a real affordability crisis—from rising property insurance and housing costs to inflation at the grocery store and at the pump. Read full quote
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.com
Property Tax Accountability: Leveraging her role on the Select Committee on Property Taxes, Tendrich prioritizes property tax transparency and relief for working families. She advocates for keeping long-term residents and seniors securely in their homes amid rising cost-of-living burdens.
Sources
https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4924&LegislativeTermId=91
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Voted Yes on Employment Eligibility
Voted Yes on Advertisements for Representation Services
Voted No on Employment Eligibility
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During Cathy’s time as Mayor and Councilwoman, she held the line on taxes, maintained healthy financial reserves for emergencies, and delivered real improvements to local parks, safety, and infrastructure.
Responsible Growth Manage development thoughtfully to protect local infrastructure, green spaces, and quality of life.
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.com
Official record
Voted Yes on Department of Management Services
Voted Yes on Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions
Voted Yes on State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System
No public positions found.
Upgraded the city’s website for better transparency and streamlined the permitting process for residents and contractors.
Responsible Growth Manage development thoughtfully to protect local infrastructure, green spaces, and quality of life.
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.com/about/https://votecathyhiggins.com
Cultural Representation and Memory: In 2025, Tendrich authored and passed legislation that officially established January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day across the state of Florida.
Official record
Voted Yes on Assessments Levied on Recreational Vehicle Parks
Voted No on Official Actions of Local Governments
Sources
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/800670-debra-tendrich-named-elected-official-of-the-year-by-state-social-workers-association/
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Eliminate government waste and keep taxes low, just like she did in Atlantis.
Under her leadership, the city never raised taxes. Taxes were decreased for 5 years and kept flat at the roll-back rate for the remaining 7 years, all while maintaining healthy financial reserves.
During Cathy’s time as Mayor and Councilwoman, she held the line on taxes, maintained healthy financial reserves for emergencies, and delivered real improvements to local parks, safety, and infrastructure.
Sources
https://votecathyhiggins.comhttps://votecathyhiggins.com/about/
+2 more
Property Tax Accountability: Leveraging her role on the Select Committee on Property Taxes, Tendrich prioritizes property tax transparency and relief for working families. She advocates for keeping long-term residents and seniors securely in their homes amid rising cost-of-living burdens.
Official record
Voted No on Property Tax Administration
Voted Yes on Department of Management Services
Sources
https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4924&LegislativeTermId=91
+50 more
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Voted Yes on Local Government Cyber Security
Voted Yes on Data Centers
Voted Yes on Local Government Cyber Security
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Voted Yes on Veterans Dental Care Grant Program
Cosponsored Veterans Dental Care Grant Program
Did not vote on Veterans
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Implemented a reverse 911 emergency notification system and focused heavily on supporting the local police department.
Official record
Voted Yes 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.
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Cathy Higgins
Debra Tendrich
Cathy Higgins
Cathy Higgins is a lifelong Palm Beach County resident, small business owner, educator, and experienced public servant running to represent District 89 in Tallahassee. A Florida Atlantic University graduate with deep community roots, she emphasizes fiscal responsibility, neighborhood improvement, faith, and protecting local families’ quality of life.
Visit the campaign site
Connect with Cathy Higgins:
Debra Tendrich
Debra Tendrich is a politician currently serving as the incumbent State Representative for Florida House District 89. Tendrich is a resident of Lake Worth and a nonprofit founder who serves as the Executive Director of Eat Better Live Better, an organization focused on childhood nutrition. Within the legislature, she holds assignments on several panels, including the Select Committee on Property Taxes and the Health Care Budget Subcommittee. She was recognized as the "Elected Official of the Year" by the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for her pragmatic, community-focused legislative style.
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Running for
State Representative, District 89
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Election Day
November 3, 2026
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A state-approved photo ID
