A Winter Garden physician who specializes in infectious diseases is trying to oust the Apopka pastor who’s represented the residents of state House District 39 for two terms.
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Dr. Jarod Fox, a Democrat, wants voters in the northwest Orange County/southwest Seminole County district to send him to Tallahassee in place of state Rep. Doug Bankson, a Republican,
In the Aug. 18 GOP primary, Bankson got 91.2% of the voted compared to his challenger, Carlos Johary Sr., a semi-retired Longwood dentist. Fox ran uncontested.
District 39 encompasses a swath of northern Orange and part of southwest Seminole counties. It includes all of Plymouth, Wekiva Springs, Zellwood, most of Apopka and portions of Forest City, Ocoee and Winter Garden.
The latest data from the state’s Division of Elections shows the district’s registered voters are about 33% Republican and 36% Democratic, with the rest in minor parties or without party affiliation.
Bankson served on the Apopka City Council for six years and founded Victory Church World Outreach Center in Apopka with his wife, Jeri, where they are both pastors.
He said he’s seeking a third term to build on successes from his first two.
He noted the signing into law this year of a provision in a bill he backed that establishes strict penalties for trafficking the drug xylazine, a nonopioid, veterinary tranquilizer approved exclusively for animal use. He called it “the next fentanyl.”
Fox, who’s the chair of the infectious diseases department at Orlando Health, said in conversations he’s had with residents of the district they’ve told him they’re ready for change.
“If you look at his voting record he basically just votes the party line,” he said. ” I think people are tired of those types of politics. If you have good ideas I’m willing to work with you whether it’s someone on the Republican side or in my own party or an independent.”
One of the issues looming over the Nov. 3 election is Amendment 3, the statewide ballot measure that would raise the homestead exemption for those who’ve owned their homes in Florida for at least five years.
The exemption would increase to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028, with annual inflation adjustments ever after. It also halves assessment increases on non-homesteaded property to 5% a year, and calls on the Legislature to establish a way for local governments to repeal homestead taxes entirely if they choose.
Bankson said affordability has always been a top issue for him — including bringing insurance rates down — and he supports Amendment 3 and the tax relief it will provide homeowners.
When homestead exemptions were adopted about a century ago, he said they exceeded the value of average homes. But as property values increased, exemptions haven’t kept pace, and even a home that’s paid off can have a tax and insurance bill almost equal to the house payment, he said.
He said part of the reason the state’s rental market has grown significantly is from people delaying purchase of their first home until their older.
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Local governments need to reduce spending by focusing on their primary responsibilities: public safety and infrastructure, he said.
“Obviously there’s less revenue that comes in, but it’s not like that money just disappears,” Bankson said. “It goes back into the hands of taxpayers, who then will be spending it in local businesses, which will cause business to thrive even more.”
He said if it passes state legislators will have to work on ways to offset lost tax revenue. He said one idea he’s open to is a 1% sales tax increase to fund grants to local governments — especially those in more rural areas.
“I would be in favor of that … because it helps bring in revenue, not just from the homeowners, but from everyone who comes and enjoys our state,” he said.
Fox said he’s opposed to Amendment 3 because it won’t really be a tax relief, but a tax shift. Local government will need to find ways to replace the revenue — possibly through fees or higher taxes — or cut services.
“That money still has to come from somewhere,” he said. “Other states that have drastically reduced their property taxes have had to increase their sales taxes.”
Fox said if the measure passes he expects it will hurt many cities to such an extent some — especially smaller ones — might need dissolve their municipal status and revert to unincorporated areas.
Most people understand the many services in their city and county that are funded by property taxes and won’t be happy when they are cut.
“It’s a complex issue and I think we should focus more on driving down property insurance, which is rising at a higher than property taxes have been,” Fox said.
Bankson said among his other priorities are transportation as a supporter of vertiports; protecting natural resources, including the restoration of Lake Apopka and maintaining the wildlife corridor; ensuring parents have a voice in education; and helping businesses thrive so they can create good jobs.
Fox’s other priorities include strong public schools, creating economic opportunity through attracting and retaining talented workers, maintaining home rule by keeping local control with local government, protecting the state’s natural resources, and of course health care.
“Unfortunately, with our state surgeon general wanting to try to roll back vaccine mandates and stuff like that is what initially got me starting to think about running,” he said. “I also have three kids — 8, 10 and 12 — and want to make the state better for them.”
According to the latest campaign finance reports with the state’s Division of Elections, Bankson has raised $119,047.05 — spending $37,193.10 — and received in-kind donations totaling $85,702.60. Fox has raised $50,746.41 and spent $36,503.75.
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