Has loyalty to President Donald Trump become the only barometer that matters for Republican in 2018? You might think so based on one area Congressional race.

State Sen. Greg Steube, a Republican candidate in District 17, this week distributed old tweets to the media written by primary opponent Julio Gonzalez, a state representative. The comments, posted in March 2016, embraced a “#NeverTrump” label.

Gonzalez, who supported Sen. Marco Rubio in the Republican presidential primary, in one tweet wrote Trump was “no conservative.” In another, he asserted Trump “doesn’t understand the nuances of our great Constitution to understand how to protect it.”  Most damning? To a tweet saying “The fact @marcorubio is still in the race is embarrassing,” Gonzalez responded: “The fact that Trump is still in the race is deplorable!” That came six months to the day before Democrat Hillary Clinton said many Trump backers came from a “basket of deplorables.”

“I don’t know where the word came from,” Gonzalez says now. “I thought it was witty.”

While most of the tweets include the hashtag “Marcomentum,” identifying Gonzalez as a footsoldier for Rubio, Steube says the attacks on the president should give voters pause. “A lot of elected officials in Florida supported Marco Rubio, but they didn’t brand themselves as NeverTrumpers,” Steube says (while noting he was always a Trump guy).

Republican voters this year want a representative who will always support Trump’s agenda, Steube says, but won’t get that with Gonzalez.

Or would they? Interestingly, Gonzalez’s counterpunch hasn’t been to outflank Trump from the right (clearly the thought behind those tweets). Instead, he brings up his support for Trump post-primary. Through podcasts and media appearances, Gonzales by November 2016 established himself among the region’s outspoken pro-Trump voices. “On the record, I am a staunch supporter,” he says.

Indeed, while Steube notes even Rubio never dubbed himself NeverTrump, the senator has yet to express the level of faith in Trump Gonzalez voices frequently.

Of course, this fight over who loves Trump more takes place while the president’s approval rating sit around 44 percent, according to Pollster.com. The two politicians also look to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Okeechobee, the only Florida Republican congressman to withdrew his endorsement of Trump in 2016 post-primary, around the release of the infamous Access Hollywood tape. So why this bro-fight now?

Well, this also happens to be among the more pro-Trump districts in America. Only 85 of the nation’s 435 House districts delivered a higher margin of victory to Trump in 2016. And pro-Trump sentiment drove Bill Akins, the other Republican in this race, to jump into the primary when everyone assumed Rooney would seek re-election.

There’s little risk of being too pro-Trump here. Steube believes Rooney’s decision to retire had something to do with voters questioning his loyalty. “The constituents in the district were very disappointed with the congressman when he denounced his support,” Steube says. Gonzalez won’t criticize Rooney for turning away from Trump. But Gonzalez dug in amid the tape scandal, characterizing it as a cheap shot against Trump by the press.

Yet it’s worth noting Rooney won re-election here in 2016 by 27.6 points, getting around the same number of votes as Trump. Disappointment or none, votes fell along party lines.

There’s other factors in the race. Steube this week picked up a critical National Rifle Association endorsement and Gonzalez boasts support from Rubio, perhaps honoring that loyalty.

This intra-party squabble, though, shows support for the president may loom larger than any other principle this cycle.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ Media Group. 

The good news on the national and local scene is that unemployment rates are low. The not-so-good news is that low unemployment rates are not a predictor of good health—or even an ability to access affordable health care when you need it. With one of the nation’s lowest minimum wage rates and highest uninsured populations (19 percent), more than 3.6 million Floridians do not have health insurance. In Manatee County, nearly 15 percent of residents do not have health care.

Let’s face it; access to health care is expensive. Actual cost can vary depending on the severity of the condition, the setting where the care is provided and the intensity of services needed. For instance, an average primary care office visit costs $150; a visit to an Emergency Room (ER) starts at $500 but could easily escalate into the thousands; and the cost of prenatal care plus delivery for an uncomplicated pregnancy is nearly $10,000. According to a recent report by the United Way, nearly one-third of Manatee County residents are a paycheck away from poverty, or even homelessness. So for many, quality health care is truly out of reach.

This challenge transcends race, age and community.  The consequences of inaction are grave: Overcrowded emergency rooms, increased burden on taxpayers, decreased productivity in the workforce, a healthy and thriving community replaced by one that is sick and decaying.

Where can the poor and uninsured go for medical care? Last year, We Care Manatee delivered more than $1.3 million worth of medical care to qualifying low-income, uninsured County residents. Since 1999, We Care Manatee has provided free medical care to thousands, saving those served and Manatee County taxpayers over $7 million in donated care. We could not have accomplished this without the dedication of our volunteer physicians, local medical professionals who are known and trusted in this community.

If you are concerned about the long-term consequences of this challenge, I urge you to visit the We Care Manatee website, at www.wecaremanatee.org. Find out how you can help us do more.

We often refer to this area as “paradise.” If that is so, let’s envision a community where all our neighbors have access to quality health care. Please join me in making that future a reality.

Victoria Kasdan is executive director of We Care Manatee. 

The Roskamp Institute will host its second annual seminar, Grey Matters—A Symposium on Alzheimer’s Disease Research on September 28. Speakers at this interactive luncheon and nearly sold out event will present on a variety of topics concerning brain health, including potential treatments, lifestyle choices that help prevent degeneration, early symptom warnings and clinical research updates. This year’s featured speaker will be Andrew Keegan, M.D., Director of The Roskamp Institute Clinic. Key leadership from The Institute will also present the most recent Alzheimer’s research updates. Funds raised from The Grey Matters Symposium provide direct monetary support to medical research currently conducted at The Roskamp Institute.The Institute has become firmly established as a leading not-for-profit, independent body in the international research community with its programs and projects supported by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration, the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme, and several other national and international peer-reviewed agencies.  

The Roskamp Institute

This year, 212 students graduated from Sarasota Military Academy (SMA), and graduates Anastasia Osborne, Lauren McMahan and Alex Murphy were accepted into West Point Military Academy, along with classmate Davis Ullrich who graduated a year early, in 2017. In addition, 27 graduates announced their intent to enlist in various branches of the Armed Forces. “This is an incredible honor and we couldn’t be prouder of our cadets as they prepare to embark on a great adventure,” said SMA Colonel Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools.  SMA, a public charter school and college preparatory academy, which includes a high school and a middle school (Sarasota Military Academy Prep). In 2017, the high school class had a 96.7% graduation rate, which is the second highest rate in the district. 

Sarasota Military Academy

This past June, Sarasota County’s Precision Machining Program at Suncoast Technical College completed its fifth program year by graduating 13 new machinists. This brings the program’s five-year total to 102 skilled workers having been trained locally. The program led the state in National Institute of Metalworking Skills manufacturing certifications with 358 completed and a 96% job placement rate after graduation. Sarasota County Government and the Sarasota County School District agreed to support the concept and established a goal to graduate 100 individuals from the program by the fifth year. Funding for the program’s equipment, which totaled $325,000, was provided by Sarasota County Government and CareerEdge supported the establishment of the program with $25,000 and additional funding for internships. In August 2013, the first Precision Machining program began at Suncoast Technical College and the newest class will start on August 13, 2018 with 18 machinists. 

CareerEdge Funders

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) is seeking volunteers to lead health and wellness workshops that assist adults age 60 and over, adults with disabilities and their caregivers, in seven counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota. Volunteers have the opportunity to lead fitness workshops focused on the unique needs of older adults. These workshops are designed to teach older adults preventative measures to avoid falls, improve their balance and manage chronic conditions. Classes include Tai Chi for Arthritis for Falls Prevention, A Matter of Balance, Walk With Ease, the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, and Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. Training is provided for these programs and AAASWFL provides mileage reimbursement for volunteers. Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license and must be able to pass a background screening. 

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida

Back by popular demand, this Gallery Walk & Talk, led by Ringling intern Shannon Nortz, will cover the Chiurazzi sculptures in the Museum of Art's courtyard on July 26. These sculptures serve both as symbols of Sarasota and of the antique. During this talk, we will explore their multi-layered lives, subject matter and contexts.  This experience will take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly. Want to know more about works in the Museum’s collections and exhibitions? Join Museum staff and guests for these “bite size” programs that focus on issues and ideas. This tour is included with Admission and free for Members. Tickets are required and must be picked up in the Visitors Pavilion on the day of the program.  

The Ringling

With the recent commissioning of the new air traffic control tower, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) will offer approximately 92 acres of undeveloped land within the Airside North Quad Commercial Park for aviation development opportunities. This location offers a unique opportunity for development between two runways, with a main runway length of 9,500-feet. The space provides easy access to runways through an established taxiway system, provides a terminal that supports seven commercial airlines, and has US Customs and Border Protection clearance facilities. The Airside North Quad Commercial Park provides an attractive opportunity for large corporate hangars or maintenance bases.  

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)