Mark Lightner III for Florida State Senate

KEY ISSUES

FLORIDA'S FUTURE

Florida’s future depends on empowering young conservatives to take an active role in protecting our values and ensuring our state remains a beacon of freedom and prosperity. If we want Florida to continue thriving, we must invest in developing leaders who will stand firm in their beliefs and fight to preserve the principles that make our state great.


Why It Matters

In recent years, we’ve seen the dangers of complacency. Career politicians, entrenched in power, have drifted away from the values they once claimed to support. It’s time for a new wave of conservative leaders to rise — leaders who are grounded in constitutional principles, passionate about defending freedom, and committed to putting Floridians first.


How We Can Inspire the Next Generation

  • Engagement in Schools: We must introduce conservative ideas to young minds by encouraging programs that teach American history, civics, and the importance of individual liberty. By fostering respectful discussions in schools, we can give students the tools they need to think critically and develop their own conservative values.

  • Mentorship Opportunities: Connecting experienced conservative leaders with young people can provide guidance, support, and encouragement. By investing in mentorship, we can prepare the next generation to take on leadership roles in politics, business, and community service.

  • Expanding Volunteerism: Encouraging youth to get involved in campaigns, grassroots organizations, and civic groups will give them firsthand experience in shaping policy and making a real impact.

Securing Florida’s Legacy

If we fail to reach young voters and inspire them to take ownership of their future, we risk losing the conservative values that have kept Florida prosperous and free. By investing in education, mentorship, and activism, we can ensure the next generation is prepared to lead with courage, integrity, and purpose.

Together, we can create a legacy of leadership that protects Florida’s freedom for generations to come.

EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH

For too long, the idea of success has been tied solely to earning a college degree. While higher education is a valuable path for many, it’s not the only route to a fulfilling and prosperous career. Florida’s future depends on building a workforce equipped with diverse skills, and that means giving young people access to alternative paths to success.

 

Why It Matters

Our state’s economy relies on industries that require specialized skills — from construction and manufacturing to technology and transportation. Yet, many of these careers remain overlooked as students are pushed toward traditional college degrees. By promoting vocational training, apprenticeships, and other hands-on learning opportunities, we can empower young people to pursue meaningful careers without accumulating massive debt.

 

How We Can Empower Our Youth

  • Investing in Vocational Programs: Florida must expand funding for vocational schools, technical colleges, and skills-based certification programs. These institutions provide students with real-world experience in trades that are essential to our economy.

  • Promoting Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship programs allow students to earn while they learn, gaining valuable on-the-job training that directly prepares them for successful careers. Partnering with local businesses to expand these opportunities is key to building a stronger workforce.

  • Encouraging Career Exploration: Schools should provide students with resources to explore career options early, including mentorship programs, job shadowing, and industry-specific workshops. By exposing students to a variety of career paths, we can help them make informed decisions about their futures.

Strengthening Florida’s Workforce

By embracing alternative pathways to success, we can create a workforce that’s better equipped to meet the demands of Florida’s growing industries. Empowering our youth with the skills they need will ensure they can thrive, support their families, and contribute to our state’s continued prosperity.

Together, we can prepare the next generation to build Florida’s future — one career at a time.

FIGHTING POLITICAL CORRUPTION

Florida’s government should work for the people — not for career politicians or special interest groups. Unfortunately, corruption thrives when politicians stay in power for too long, and special interests gain undue influence. To restore accountability and ensure fresh ideas in government, we must take decisive action.

 

Why It Matters

When politicians remain in office for decades, they become disconnected from the people they represent. Special interest groups and powerful political action committees (PACs) take advantage of this, using money and influence to shape policy for their own benefit — often at the expense of everyday Floridians. This cycle undermines public trust and weakens our democracy.

 

How We Can Fight Corruption

  • Implementing Term Limits: Florida has a term limit law that was passed in 1992 by over 80% of the state. However, the politicians who wrote the law used the term “consecutive”. So, instead of the term limit applying to the life of the person like president and governors, it just applies to consecutive years. By placing lifetime term limits on state legislators, we can ensure new voices and ideas are consistently brought to the table. Fresh perspectives are vital for creating policies that address today’s challenges rather than protecting outdated agendas.

  • Reducing PAC Influence: Limiting the influence of PACs will reduce the power of special interests in our political system. By curbing their ability to fund campaigns unchecked, we can return control to the people of Florida. We must restore the cap on PACs that was removed in 2013.

Putting Florida’s Future First

By implementing these reforms, we can ensure Florida’s government serves its citizens — not career politicians or corporate interests. It’s time to break the cycle of corruption and put power back in the hands of the people.

Together, we can build a government that works for all Floridians — one that values integrity, accountability, and transparency.

THE INSURANCE CRISIS

The rising cost of home and auto insurance is placing a massive financial burden on Florida families. While rates continue to climb, many are left struggling to keep up with these essential expenses. We must pass meaningful legislation that addresses the root causes of this crisis and provides Floridians with the relief they deserve.

 

Why It Matters

Homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult for working families, and high insurance premiums are making it worse. Without action, more Floridians will be forced to make difficult financial decisions just to keep their homes protected. Addressing the crisis requires both immediate action and long-term solutions.

 

Two Key Solutions to Lower Costs

  • Increasing Competition: By encouraging more insurance companies to enter Florida’s market, we can provide homeowners and drivers with more options and better pricing. More competition naturally drives prices down and gives consumers the ability to choose coverage that fits their needs without overpaying.

  • Reducing Risk for Insurance Companies: Many insurers are forced to raise rates due to increased risk in Florida’s market. One major factor contributing to this risk is the overdevelopment of vulnerable areas. We must pass common-sense policies that limit overdevelopment in flood-prone and high-risk regions, ensuring insurance companies can better manage their risk without burdening homeowners with skyrocketing rates.

Securing Financial Relief for Floridians

By fostering competition and reducing unnecessary risks, we can stabilize Florida’s insurance market and provide families with the financial relief they desperately need. It’s time to stop placing the burden on hardworking Floridians and start holding insurance providers — and developers — accountable.

Together, we can restore fairness in Florida’s insurance market and protect families from rising costs.

GUN RIGHTS

The right to bear arms is a fundamental freedom that must be protected. Law-abiding Floridians deserve the ability to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property without excessive government interference. To uphold this right, we must fight for meaningful reforms that restore and protect our Second Amendment freedoms.

 

Why It Matters

Florida’s current gun laws place unnecessary restrictions on responsible citizens, limiting their ability to exercise their right to self-defense. In 2018, misguided legislation was passed that imposed new limits on law-abiding gun owners — weakening public safety while doing little to stop criminals. It’s time to correct these mistakes and strengthen the rights of Floridians.

 

Key Solutions to Restore Gun Rights

  • Legalizing Open Carry: Florida is the only Republican led state that still prohibits open carry for law-abiding citizens, it’s legal in 31 states. By passing open carry legislation, we can align Florida with the majority of the country and empower individuals to protect themselves and their families more effectively.

  • Repealing the 2018 Gun Control Laws: The 2018 gun regulations imposed a 3-day waiting period, raised the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21, and introduced red flag laws that threaten due process. These restrictions unfairly penalize responsible gun owners and must be repealed to restore Floridians’ constitutional rights.

Standing Up for Our Rights

Gun ownership is about more than just self-defense — it’s about ensuring citizens have the means to protect themselves from both criminals and government overreach. By legalizing open carry and repealing harmful regulations, we can restore the rights of Floridians and ensure our communities remain safe and secure.

Together, we can fight to preserve Florida’s proud tradition of responsible gun ownership and protect our constitutional freedoms for generations to come.

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