Opinion

Every election season, candidates fill our mailboxes with glossy campaign flyers. They line our roads with signs, flood social media with advertisements, and tell us they’re the right person to lead our community.

This year, I have one simple question for every candidate seeking local office:

Will you fight to lower my property taxes?

If the answer is no—or if the answer is another explanation about why government simply needs more of my money—then you’ve probably lost my vote.

Property taxes have become one of the defining issues facing Florida families. As homeowners struggle with rising insurance premiums, inflation, and the increasing cost of simply living in this state, government should be looking for ways to ease the burden—not defend it.

That’s why I believe support for meaningful property tax relief has become the litmus test for anyone asking to represent me.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a growing divide between everyday taxpayers and those whose careers, organizations, or political influence benefit from the continued growth of government spending. The louder the conversation becomes about cutting property taxes, the louder the opposition seems to become from those who are comfortable with the status quo.

That brings me to our local elections.

The School Board race isn’t simply about education. It’s about parental rights, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and whether parents or bureaucracies should have the final say in raising our children.

As a conservative voter, those issues matter.

I believe Jackie Rosario has earned another term on the School Board. During her service, I’ve watched the board move in a more conservative direction by strengthening parental involvement, demanding greater accountability, and making decisions that better reflect the values of many families throughout Indian River County.

Yet every election cycle, the opposition seems remarkably familiar.

Many of the same political circles, major donors, and influential interests who have opposed conservative candidates in previous elections have once again united behind her opponent. Campaign finance reports are public records, and I encourage every voter to read them. They often tell a story that campaign slogans never will.

The County Commission race tells a similar story.

Jennifer Pippin has become the candidate everyone is talking about, and there’s a reason for that. Her campaign has drawn intense opposition from many of the same progressive voices and political circles that have fought conservative candidates in Indian River County for years.

The effort to stop her isn’t happening in November—it’s happening now, during the Republican primary. That tells me everything I need to know. Rather than waiting for the general election, many of her opponents have focused their attention on preventing her from ever getting there.

Jennifer Pippin has spent years advocating for parental rights, government accountability, fiscal responsibility, and lower taxes. She helped lead the effort to remove sexually explicit material from school libraries and has consistently taken positions that put her at odds with progressive activists.

If you’re wondering why so much attention is being directed at one candidate, I believe the answer is simple: Jennifer Pippin is viewed as a formidable contender, and that’s why defeating her in the primary has become such a priority for many of her political opponents.

I’ve also watched as members of the Democrats of Indian River Facebook group, along with a former School Board member, have publicly encouraged voters to change their party registration in order to participate in Republican primaries. Florida law permits voters to change their party affiliation, and every eligible voter has that right. But I believe there’s an important distinction between election integrity and voter integrity. Election integrity is about ensuring the process is secure and lawful. Voter integrity is about participating in that process in good faith. Both matter. Both deserve a higher standard. Republican voters should ask themselves why people who do not typically support conservative candidates are investing so much effort in influencing who the Republican nominee will be.

Ultimately, I believe this election comes down to values.

Do we want leaders who believe taxpayers deserve relief?

Do we want elected officials who stand with parents instead of government institutions?

Do we want commissioners who see every tax dollar as money that belongs to the people before it belongs to government?

Those are the questions I’ll be asking before I cast my ballot.

I don’t expect everyone reading this to agree with my conclusions. That’s the beauty of our republic. Every citizen gets one vote and one voice.

But I do hope every voter does more than glance at campaign signs or listen to thirty-second advertisements. Read the campaign finance reports. Watch the public meetings. Listen carefully to what candidates say—and sometimes what they refuse to say.

For me, the choice is clear.

I’ll support candidates who fight for lower property taxes, defend parental rights, protect children, practice fiscal responsibility, and remember that government exists to serve its citizens—not the other way around.

This election matters.

Let’s vote like it.

Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author, Michael Bolack, and are presented as personal opinion. They do not necessarily reflect the views of IRC Media, Indian River Connections LLC, its partners, contributors, sponsors, advertisers, guests, or affiliates. Readers are encouraged to review publicly available records, campaign finance reports, and candidate positions and reach their own conclusions.