Property appraiser race features Republican Primary
The Lee County Property Appraiser race appears on both the Aug. 18 Primary and Nov. 3 General Election ballots
The Republican primary has two candidates — Matt Caldwell and Matt Miller.
The top vote-getter will then advance to the General Election where a write-in candidate, Elaina Cosentino, has qualified.
The primary candidates are:
Matt Caldwell
Seat sought: Lee County Property Appraiser
Party: Republican
Age: 38
Education/degrees: Bachelors from FGCU in History
Occupation and place of employment: Property Appraiser at Maxwell, Hendry, & Simmons Property Appraiser and Partner at TM Strategic Consulting
Years of residency in Lee County: 38 years
Business or professional experience applicable to the office you are seeking:
I began in the appraisal industry in 2002 and joined the Maxwell, Hendry, & Simmons firm in 2004. I am experienced in multiple property types, as well as litigation related services, being qualified as an expert witness in multiple jurisdictions. I was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010-2018, serving on several committees including tax policy, redistricting, insurance, and banking. I also chaired subcommittees and full committees related to agriculture, natural and public lands, transportation and infrastructure, local, federal, military affairs, & oversight of government operations, such as pensions & elections. I ran unsuccessfully for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2018, falling short by the 2nd closest statewide margin in modern Florida history. Today, I am a full-time appraiser and consultant.
Political Experience/offices held:
Florida House of Representatives, District 79, 2010-2018
Civic/Community involvement:
Board Member, M-CORES
Lee County Republican Executive Committee
Family: I live in North Fort Myers with my wife Yvonne and our daughter Ava.
Military Experience: N/A
Website:
votecaldwell.org
Candidate positions at a glance:
Why are you running?
I am 7th generation Floridian and have always made public service a foundation in my life. I believe strongly in good stewardship of tax dollars, limited government, and conservative values, and I am ready to take these principles into the office of Property Appraiser.
Planks of your platform:
I am a passionate defender of our God-given Constitutional liberties. I believe in limited government, I consistently advocate for term limits, and I am a staunch defender of our right to keep and bear arms.
Top three issues:
– Stewardship of Tax Dollars
– Limited Government
– Streamlining Services
Matt Miller
Seat sought: Property Appraiser
Party: Republican
Age: 50
Education/degrees: N/A
Occupation and place of employment: M&M Horticulture, owner
Years of residency in Lee County: 28 years
Business or professional experience applicable to the office you are seeking: N/A
Political Experience/offices held: N/A
Civic/Community involvement: Volunteerism includes Gulf Coast Humane Society, passing out food provided by the Harry Chapin Food Bank from the church’s pantry every Friday, taking an expedition to Guyana to drill wells for clean drinking water and Relay for Life.
Family: Husband, father of five and a grandfather. Matt, along with his wife, Dawn and their family reside in Alva.
Military Experience: Total of ten years in the US Air Force, including four years active duty and six years as a Reservist at Homestead Air Force Base, from 1989 – 1998, successfully completing tours of duty in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm with commendations. Numerous achievement medals received during his tour of duty.
Website: mattmillerforleecounty.org
Candidate positions at a glance:
Why are you running?
To “return to the intentions of our founding fathers and restore our government by the integrity of the US Constitution.”
Believes that “our government should be treated like a business and advocates for saving the taxpayers money by cutting out unnecessary spending, and reforming policies and procedures that cause over-spending and waste.”
“The more we spend, the more we get” policy is a system that locks us into overspending and continually increasing the budget, warranted or not.
Would like to address over-regulation and see more diversified industry in Lee County.
Planks of your platform:
Restore State’s Rights
Preserve Private Property Rights
Safeguard Second Amendment Rights
Maintain Local Control over Education
Reform Campaign Finance Laws (by limiting corporate contribution because people should elect their representatives)
Private over Public Sector
Improve Budgeting Policies to Eliminate wasteful spending
Top three issues: N/A
Biographic information provided by Matt Caldwell; Matt Miller’s includes information posted to his website.