FLORIDA WANTS CHOICES FOR GOVERNOR ...NOW THERE IS ONE MORE!
VOTERS ELECT CANDIDATES WHOSE INTERESTS MATCH THEIRS.
Keep Florida affordable
Slash and eventually eliminate property taxes for vested Florida homeowners and renters. For each year beyond a year-ten residency vesting period requirement, Florida homeowners would be entitled to a cumulative 10%-point increase of their existing homestead exemption, until their adjusted exemption reaches 100%. Renters in Florida, who meet a ten-year residency vesting period requirement and who go on to purchase a Florida home, would also enjoy the same cumulative 10%-point increase of their new home's homestead exemption, until their adjusted exemption reaches 100%. Additionally, the adjusted homestead exemption shall be transferable to the homeowner's wife or children.
Institute radical competition in the property and auto insurance markets to bring premiums way down.
Make Florida's current residents, and not new arrivals, a priority in all decisions. Stop the current radical new construction boom which is turning our roads into parking lots. Choose renovation over new construction to first fix what we have, contain overgrowth and preserve the quality of life that is slowly slipping away from each Floridian due to the "Manhattanization" of our beautiful villages, towns, cities, and eventually given enough time, our entire State.
Reverse damage that monied interests and influential lobbyists have inflicted on local communities.
Listen and act upon the best ideas from all voices ...and Parties. Encourage camaraderie and collegiality from all elected officials in an effort to foster agreement wherever possible. Reject virulent tribalism, damaging Party politics, and views that are antithetical to our Country's founding values. Sensibly balance the power structure between Tallahassee and local governments.
Hold government accountable, delivering high quality services while controlling costs to residents.
Promote tourism, business and economic development, and sensible, responsible growth, but never at the expense or to the detriment of our Florida residents.
Tell the truth as to why condo owners are under financial attack after the Surfside collapse.
Copy Texas and create the Florida Bullion Depository. This will allow all Florida residents, including Florida public employees, who wish to invest their savings in gold, silver or platinum a government sanctioned, safe and easily accessible way of storing and protecting their retirement savings.
A Florida education must focus only on kids, be a model of high standards, and keep costs in line.
Give our first responders every tool they need to be the best in the business. Pay them, and all our public workers a fair, competitive wage. Honor (unsustainable) defined benefit pension promises to existing employees. Offer all new employees a menu of generous defined contribution plans which provide each employee with the ability to be vested immediately, to receive a generous match from government for each dollar they contribute, to take the plan with them if they leave their current job, and to have access to all of their funds decades before they otherwise would with existing plans.
OUR CAMPAIGN LAUNCH IS COMING IN MARCH, BUT IN THE MEANWHILE
My Personal Story
My Political Story
My Personal Story
The Start
I was born at St. Francis Hospital (which is now Aqua, on 63rd Street, near Collins Avenue) and raised in Miami Beach.
I moved to Surfside in 1996 to take advantage of the unparalleled lifestyle and have lived here, in the same home, ever since.
Julia and I are the proud parents of William Michael Burkett (now 22). I enjoy skiin
The Start
I was born at St. Francis Hospital (which is now Aqua, on 63rd Street, near Collins Avenue) and raised in Miami Beach.
I moved to Surfside in 1996 to take advantage of the unparalleled lifestyle and have lived here, in the same home, ever since.
Julia and I are the proud parents of William Michael Burkett (now 22). I enjoy skiing, diving, flying, boating & great food.
My Education
Pre-school: The Cushman School, Miami
Grammar: St. Patrick's School, Miami Beach
High: Archbishop Curley High School, Miami
College: University of Miami, BS, Finance
My Business Story
My Political Story
My Personal Story
My Day Job
After I graduated from college, I used my savings from working as a construction site laborer to buy my first property in 1983. It was a home in Miami Beach that I renovated, with help from friends I hired, and then leased.
I then purchased my first building in Miami Beach's budding Art Deco District with the remainder of my sa
My Day Job
After I graduated from college, I used my savings from working as a construction site laborer to buy my first property in 1983. It was a home in Miami Beach that I renovated, with help from friends I hired, and then leased.
I then purchased my first building in Miami Beach's budding Art Deco District with the remainder of my savings. I renovated that building, was able to get a loan on the equity I created in the property, and bought my next property.
I did this over and over throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
I subsequently went on to expand on a national basis into an additional seven states.
I currently operate a national management and investment company, which I own 100% of, which oversees those investments.
My Political Story
My Political Story
My Political Story
My Political Life
When I lived in Miami Beach, I was:
A board member and chairman of the Miami Beach Housing Authority for nine years,
A board member of the Nuisance Abatement Board,
Member of the Code Enforcement Board,
Member of the Community Development Block Grant Board,
A Police Academy member,
A board member of the Miami Beach Chambe
My Political Life
When I lived in Miami Beach, I was:
A board member and chairman of the Miami Beach Housing Authority for nine years,
A board member of the Nuisance Abatement Board,
Member of the Code Enforcement Board,
Member of the Community Development Block Grant Board,
A Police Academy member,
A board member of the Miami Beach Chamber,
The President of the North Beach Development Corporation,
A board member of my neighborhood association, the La Gorce-Pinetree Homeowners Association,
I have also participated in many blue ribbon & ad hoc committees in Miami Beach over my 35 years living there.
When I moved to Surfside in 1996, my civic involvement was as follows:
In 2004, I ran for Mayor of Surfside and lost my first election by a hair.
In 2006, I was first elected Mayor of Surfside.
In 2008, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
In 2020, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside and guided our residents through the Covid disaster and the collapse of an entire condominum building that resulted in the loss of 98 lives.
In 2024, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
I'm proud of my record of service in Surfside to protect our town and its residents from exploitive predators interested only in financial gain at the cost of our precious small-town way of life.
My Political Views
While I serve as Surfside's mayor, my one and only interest is the success and well-being of our Town.
However, like all red-blooded, patriotic Americans, I love our Country, and want the best for it and our citizens.
When my service to Surfside is complete one day, I plan to run for Governor and hope that I can bring the passion and love I have dedicated to our beautiful hamlet on the beach, to all the citizens of Florida.
You can read more about the views and positions I would put forward in the Governor's campaign at my political positions website:
History in Pictures
History in Pictures
History in Pictures
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UPDATE: Believe it or not, a lawsuit has extended the elect
...but then, with no more extensions, I leave my amazing Surfside job with gratitude, pride and bittersweet feelings of a little sadness, and much excitement for what lies ahead.
In a few days, it will be full speed ahead bringing ALL Floridians (that includes sincere outreach to each political party) together to protect, preserve and thoughtfully improve the amazing quality of life we currently enjoy.
Brought to you by a guy, who in 43 years of volunteer and elected government service has never taken a dime in pay, is not owned by donors, and who thinks dealing with government should be like de