Lizbeth Benacquisto Florida Senate, District 27
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Lizbeth Benacquisto
Age: 44
Public contact information: 433-6599, benacquisto,lizbeth.s27@flsenate.gov; Votelizbeth.com
Social media presence: Facebook: facebook.com/lbenacquisto. Twitter: twitter.com/lizbethkb.
Family: Married to Bruce Strayhorn. Two children, Gabriella, 13; Austin, 17.
Occupation: Realtor; marketing and special events consultant
Spouse’s occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A., organizational management, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Residence: Fort Myers
Top three priorities: Help foster an environment where businesses can create new jobs. We need to continue to hold government accountable to taxpayers through more transparency. Invest in our future by prioritizing education funding.
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Her passion for statewide education reform and dedication to working with government officials to fix a local traffic hazard are two reasons we endorse State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, over Debbie Jordan, a Democrat, in the Nov. 6 election.
After completing just two years of a four-year term as the representative of the old District 27, redistricting put her name back on the ballot this year in the new District 30.
Her old district offered a challenge, mainly because of the different regions it represented from Lee County to Palm Beach. The new district is mainly confined to Lee County.
As the only Lee County lawmaker to serve on a state education committee, Benacquisto must continue to push for stronger relationships between legislators and educators and advance the goals of improving professional development for teachers as they prepare students for college and other careers.
She is not afraid to step away from her party platform on issues like no exceptions for abortion. She believes in pro life, but supports a woman’s right to choose in case of rape, incest or a medical emergency. She revealed she was a rape victim while a student at the University of Florida after criticism by her opponent over her stand on abortions during the 2010 senate election run.
After the death of an Estero teenager earlier this year while he was trying a cross a busy road, she stood by family and local officials to persuade state officials to install a traffic signal at the intersection on U.S. 41 at Sweetwater Ranch Drive.
Benacquisto is not only in a unique position to watch how are tax dollars are spent, but to also put that money to good use in her backyard. This is her time to make a difference, build on relationships in Tallahassee, strengthen the education system and push for growth.
