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State Representative, District 71

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Unbiased view on

Jordan Varnadore

Ocean Fitts

3 candidates. Listed as they appear on the ballot.

Jordan Varnadore

Ocean Fitts

Jordan Varnadore

Ocean Fitts

Joseph Hoolihan

Position on major issues

Photo of Jordan Varnadore

Jordan Varnadore

Jordan Varnadore is a politician running for the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 71. Varnadore is a lifelong Palmetto resident, marketing professional, and entrepreneur. He serves as the Vice President of Marketing for GarrettRichard, a family-owned insurance brokerage firm he co-founded with his father. Outside of corporate business, he is a trained pianist who has moonlighted locally as a dueling pianist. He holds a bachelor's degree in business marketing and communications from the University of Mississippi.

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Photo of Joseph Hoolihan

Joseph Hoolihan

Joseph Hoolihan is an independent, () candidate running for the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 71. Hoolihan describes himself as an independent conservative. He has been a resident of Florida since 1988 and holds a bachelor's degree from St. Petersburg College. Professionally, he is a small business owner, author, and a licensed real estate agent with over a decade of experience in the region.

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3 candidates. Listed as they appear on the ballot.

We share more ground than you might expect

Common Ground

Common Ground shows where candidates agree, no matter their party.

Thinking for yourself matters

Position on major issues

Position on major issues

Position on major issues

Abortion and reproductive policy

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Agriculture and rural policy

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Artificial intelligence

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Responsible AI that works for people, not against them. Smart innovation with common-sense guardrails, for good, not for bad. It's that simple.

AI is the future. Read full quote

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Civil rights and freedoms

Constitutional & Second Amendment Rights: Varnadore campaigns on a strict defense of individual liberties. He takes an uncompromising stance on gun rights, opposing firearms restrictions and promising to protect the Second Amendment from legislative encroachment.

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Criminal justice and policing

Law Enforcement and Public Safety: His platform favors robust support and state-level backing for first responders and regional law enforcement agencies.

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Back our police, firefighters, EMTs, nurses and doctors. We take care of them and they'll take care of us.

He believes in lower taxes, safer streets, strong families, personal responsibility, and in getting government out of the way of hardworking people.

Plain and simple. Read full quote

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Economy, jobs and wages

From his own business experience, Jordan understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. He’ll reduce burdensome regulations and support job creators across District 71.

Fostering Small Businesses & Deregulation: Drawing directly from his private sector background co-founding an insurance brokerage, Varnadore prioritizes cutting government regulations. Read full quote

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From IMG Academy and Pirates spring training to our beaches and the new public sports complexes, recreation fuels our local economy. I'll champion the fields, facilities, and small businesses that keep Manatee County and Florida winning.

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Education

As a father, Jordan knows that parents deserve a voice in their children’s education. He’ll ensure our schools teach values—not extremist ideologies.

Parental Voice in Public Education: Education policy is a primary pillar of his platform. Varnadore advocates for protecting parental rights and ensuring that parents maintain a robust, deciding voice regarding the curricula, health, and well-being of their children inside public schools.

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Times change, and our schools have to change with them. Read full quote

Put families first with strong schools, real fitness, competitive sports programs for all ages, and an education that prepares kids for the future in schools that stay open and honest with families.

AI is the future. Read full quote

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Elections and voting

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Energy

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Environment and climate

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Families and social services

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Put families first with strong schools, real fitness, competitive sports programs for all ages, and an education that prepares kids for the future in schools that stay open and honest with families.

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Firearms policy

A staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and individual liberty, Jordan will fight every day to preserve the freedoms that make Florida strong.

Constitutional & Second Amendment Rights: Varnadore campaigns on a strict defense of individual liberties. He takes an uncompromising stance on gun rights, opposing firearms restrictions and promising to protect the Second Amendment from legislative encroachment.

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Government reform

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Healthcare

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Back our police, firefighters, EMTs, nurses and doctors. We take care of them and they'll take care of us.

Plain and simple. Read full quote

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Housing

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Owning, keeping and enjoying a home shouldn't be so hard. Extreme taxes, inflated insurance premiums and the influx of Short Term Rental investment properties have become a real problem for locals.

Buying a home, keeping a home, and enjoying your home have all gotten close to impossible for too many families here. Read full quote

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Immigration

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Infrastructure and transportation

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Responsible, accountable area growth that respects us all. A real community needs the right infrastructure, local activities and sports, and real support for the people and small businesses who live, work and play here.

Our state, our county, our cities, and our neighborhoods are changing fast. Read full quote

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Local control

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Responsible, accountable area growth that respects us all. A real community needs the right infrastructure, local activities and sports, and real support for the people and small businesses who live, work and play here.

Our state, our county, our cities, and our neighborhoods are changing fast. Read full quote

Sports tourism is a huge economic engine for Manatee County and for Florida. Read full quote

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National security and foreign policy

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Social Security and retirement

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Taxes and government spending

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Owning, keeping and enjoying a home shouldn't be so hard. Extreme taxes, inflated insurance premiums and the influx of Short Term Rental investment properties have become a real problem for locals.

He believes in lower taxes, safer streets, strong families, personal responsibility, and in getting government out of the way of hardworking people.

Buying a home, keeping a home, and enjoying your home have all gotten close to impossible for too many families here. Read full quote

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Technology and privacy

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Responsible AI that works for people, not against them. Smart innovation with common-sense guardrails, for good, not for bad. It's that simple.

AI is the future. Read full quote

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Veterans

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Emergency management

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Plain and simple. Read full quote

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