On News Talk 1370 WCOA’s “Pensacola Speaks,” I will interview former SRIA executive director Buck Lee in the first hour. Lee, who also served on the county commissions of both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, has pre-filed for Escambia County Tax Collector.
In the second half hour, I will have Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez Cantera, who is running for the U.S. Senate. We will talk about the buzz within the Hispanic community over his response to an open letter from Hispanic celebrities, including Carlos Santana, George Lopez and Zoe Saldana, posted by the People for the American Way that criticized the leading Republican presidential candidates for “pandering to the anti-immigrant base of the Republican Party that idolizes Donald Trump.”
The Lt. Governor responded with his own open letter on Friday, Feb. 12:
Here in Florida I have seen how conservative values empower Hispanic families to succeed.
It has been because of Republican policies for greater choice and accountability in education that more Hispanic children are receiving a better education. It’s because of Republican leadership that more minorities are pursuing higher education. And it’s because of Republican policies that more Hispanics trust our states’ economic climate and are taking the risk to open-up small businesses. Hispanic owned businesses are the fastest growing small businesses in Florida, 85% of which are owned by women.
As the son and grandson of refugees who came to America, I have seen this firsthand. When my family got to America, they knew that, if they worked hard, America would allow them to achieve the American Dream. It was not a guarantee, they had to earn it, but it was possible.
“Pensacola Speaks” airs weekdays from 5-6 p.m. on News Talk 1370 WCOA. Tune in.