Corey Simon and Loranne Ausley Debate in Senate District 3 Race

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Republican Corey Simon and Democrat State Sen. Loranne Ausley debated Monday as the two go head to head in the race for Senate District 3 in North Florida.

Corey Simon is a former NFL football player who previously served as CEO of Volunteer Florida and began a success center to mentor the underserved population. Ausley has served in the state legislature since 2000 and has served on a variety of boards for organizations.

During the 45 minute debate, both candidates answered questions on topics such as school vouchers, abortion, guns and home insurance. Gary Fineout moderated the debate.

In the opening statements, Simon focused on “answering the call” for hardworking people and reminisced on his family’s history working as housekeepers and janitors.

“This is for the normal, everyday person that doesn’t feel heard. They don’t feel like they belong on this stage,” Simon said. “They don’t feel like their voices are being heard and these are the folks that I serve every single day.”

Ausley said in her opening statements that she has experience as a lawmaker supporting families, educators, and law enforcement.

“I’ve spent my years of service listening, learning, showing up and delivering for the people of north Florida. And I’m asking for the opportunity to continue that service,” she said. “Looking forward to this conversation.”

With Hurricane Ian on the mind of millions in Florida, the candidates first talked about insurance. Floridians have faced skyrocketing premium rates as several insurance companies have gone into liquidation over the years. Ausley was asked if she had specific recommendations on how to “bolster” the insurance industry.

“I wish I had a silver bullet answer,” Ausley said. “This is going to be something we’re going to be dealing with in the short term and in the long term as we start to quantify the damages from Ian.”

Ausley said not all the “blame” should be placed solely on fraudulent contractors, insurance companies, and lawyers.

“We have to look at building codes. We have to look at reinsurance,” she said. “We have to look at rate transparency.”

Simon noted how his opponent had been in the legislature for 12 years “and the problem still hasn’t been fixed.”

“At some point, we have to fix the problem and you can talk about more or how long it’s going to take,” he said. “You’ve had 12 years and the problems still exist.”

The candidates were asked whether they approved of Gov. Ron DeSantis flying a group of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. In response, Simon criticized the “broken immigration system” as two million people cross the border in 2022 alone.

“We have a president that has done absolutely nothing to put a stop to this. All he’s done is continue this, keeping this open border policy,” Simon said.

Ausley called the governor’s move “unlawful” and a “political stunt.”

“First of all, we’re a nation of immigrants. We can’t continue to vilify those who are coming across our border. This incident in question for those seeking asylum from persecution,” she said.

Fineout asked the candidates for their positions on school vouchers. He specifically asked Ausley why she has “generally” been opposed to offering vouchers and school choice vouchers.

“I am an unapologetic supporter of our traditional public schools to give every kid a chance at success, no matter their zip code,” she said. “And I’m not opposed to school choice, parental choice, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of our public schools.”

At the end of her statements, Ausley said that public dollars need to go to public schools.

However, Simon detailed his own personal story when his mother used her work address to avoid putting Simon in “failing schools.”

“And I think that all of our kids should have the same opportunities to do so,” Simon said. “It shouldn’t have to be where you live to get a good education.”

Florida lawmakers approved a 15-week abortion ban earlier this year before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, giving states the authority to regulate abortions.

Simon was first asked which types of restrictions on abortion he is in favor or opposed to. Simon said he believes in exceptions for the health of the mother and some exceptions for rape and incest.

“I think the question is how far do we go? Is it partial birth abortion? Is it 26 weeks? Is it 36? I mean, how far do we continue to go until we were looking at at murder?” Simon asked. “I think the current law that’s been put in place that 15 weeks, maybe somewhere around about right.”

Ausley questioned Simon on whether he would have voted with the Republican party for the 15-week abortion ban that did not provide exceptions for rape and incest. Simon responded that he is going to the Capitol “to think for myself and my constituents.” He noted that as a black conservative he thinks for himself.

The current senator voted against the 15-week abortion ban and was asked what types of restrictions she would support between that 15-week mark and birth.

“So the bottom line here is that I did not believe government has any role in this very private decision that a woman should make with her family and her doctor,” Ausley said.

Fineout pivoted the conversation to the Health Insurance Trust fund for state employees that he said is expected to go into a deficit in the next couple of years. He asked the candidates what changes they would make regarding insurance benefits for state workers.

“We need to provide our state workforce with benefits that so that we can keep them so that we can attract the type of workforce that we want,” Ausley said.

She does not want to make any changes other than putting more money toward the fund. Simon said he he understands the benefits, as his wife is a state worker.

“I think our state workers should have the insurance that they need and making sure that those the competition is there so that we can facilitate them in the best insurance possible,” he explained.

In the discussion about gun laws, Simon said he supports the Guardian program which puts more school resources on campuses.

“We have to stop criminalizing our law abiding citizens for their Second Amendment rights,” Simon said. “It is important that we protect law abiding citizens, we can continue to go after them as if they’ve done anything wrong.”

Ausley said she supports red flag laws, banning “military-style assault weapons,” is against guns in schools, and opposes open carry.

“So I support the Second Amendment. But even the Florida constitution acknowledges that the manner of bearing arms can be regulated by law,” she said. “We have a gun violence epidemic in this country. And it’s different than every country around the world.”

Ausley was pressed on a flier that depicted children with targets on them and included a picture of Simon on it.

“There were there are some people who who viewed that the mailer in the context that it could be could be viewed as being sort of racially offensive,” Fineout said.

He asked Ausley whether she approved the mailer and knew if it was going out.

“My campaign is not responsible for the mail piece. As you said it was put out by the Democratic Party. I have no control over what they send out. I do not prefer these campaign tactics. I don’t think either of us do. But neither of us can control them,” Ausley said.