With the state Legislature's redraw of Florida's Congressional seats, Osceola County will now be represented by two Congressmen. While the bulk of the county is represented by District 9, the far northwestern part of Osceola that includes Four Corners, Celebration, Reunion and ChampionsGate is part of District 18 with western Polk County.
The questions below asked of the District 18 candidates are based on voter questions and expressed priorities. Each of the candidates within a race were asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond. The candidates' answers were fact checked and only edited for space considerations.
Curtis Gibson, Democrat
Age: 41
Residence: Lake Wales
Campaign website: votecurtisgibson.com
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Business Studies; Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. Graduate of Lake Wales High School (2003).
Occupation: Commercial Property Manager & Small Business Owner. Former Lake Wales City Commissioner, Geico Complex Claims Examiner, Amazon Air Worker, Mail Carrier, and School Custodian.
If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?Skyrocketing Property Insurance: Create a Federal Catastrophic Reinsurance Backstop to stabilize private markets and lower rates.
Infrastructure Gridlock: Direct federal Community Project Funding (earmarks) to local cities and counties for roads, transit, and water upgrades.
Cost of Living & Wage Stagnation: Protect Social Security, cap out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and pass tax policies that support working families over mega-corporations.
Please vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position: No.
Eliminating property taxes completely sounds appealing, but without a replacement, it would gut critical funding for local first responders, public safety, roads, and public schools, or force a massive increase in state sales tax that unfairly hits working families. Instead, I support targeted property tax relief, expanding homestead exemptions for permanent residents, and fixing the root cause of rising housing bills: Florida’s skyrocketing property insurance rates.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say housing affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue?
Housing affordability starts with fixing Florida’s insurance crisis, which drives up mortgages and rent. In Congress, I will push for a Federal Catastrophic Reinsurance Backstop to lower property insurance costs. I also support expanding Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, restricting Wall Street hedge funds from buying up single-family starter homes, and delivering direct federal infrastructure grants so local municipalities can build affordable workforce housing.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond?
Regulators must protect everyday residential ratepayers from subsidizing corporate energy demands. Utility commissions should mandate that hyperscale data center developers pay 100% of their own power grid upgrades and energy infrastructure costs. Regulators should also enforce strict moratoriums and environmental reviews to evaluate water aquifer depletion and force tech corporations to utilize recycled water cooling, ensuring local families don’t face higher electric or water bills.
What is the single biggest issue the government should address when it comes to public education in Florida?
The federal government must address severe underfunding by fully funding Title I for low-income schools and IDEA for special education, while ensuring public tax dollars stay in public schools. We must invest directly in teacher retention, competitive wages, modern classroom infrastructure, and expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) apprenticeship programs so non-college-bound students can graduate directly into high-paying, skilled local trades across Central Florida.
Do you agree with the current federal and state governments’ approaches to immigration enforcement? Why or why not? No.
Current approaches prioritize partisan political games over real solutions. We need comprehensive, bipartisan reform that secures our borders while creating fair, streamlined legal pathways. We must modernize agricultural and seasonal visa programs (H-2A/H-2B) to support Florida’s farming and tourism industries, clear immigration court backlogs by hiring more judges, protect Dreamers, and provide legal status for long-term taxpayers who pass background checks.
Scott Franklin, Republican (incumbent)
Age: 62
Residence: N/A
Campaign website: www.votescottfranklin.com/
Education: B.S., United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., 1986; M.B.A., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla., 1994; Attended the Air Command and Staff College, Montgomery, Ala
Occupation: Incumbent member of the U.S. House of Representatives District 18. 20-year veteran in insurance and risk management with Lanier Upshaw and BKS Partners. Franklin is also a former naval aviator.
This candidate did not respond to the News Collaborative of Central Florida questionnaire. Using the candidate’s website and social posts, we have tried to provide answers to our questions.
If elected, what are the most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?Franklin lists these issues under priorities on his campaign website:
Fueling economic growth
Defending free markets and the American Dream
Protecting your 2nd Amendment rights
Standing up for faith, family, and life
Strengthening national defense
Advancing a conservative agenda for American prosperity
Protecting our agriculture
Please vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position: No answer given
We could not find information about where Franklin stands on Amendment 3, however, Franklin states the following on his campaign website when talking about the free market an American Dream:
“He opposes efforts to raise taxes on families and small businesses, expand federal control over healthcare, and impose heavy handed regulations that crush American industry.” (https://www.votescottfranklin.com/services)
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say housing affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue?
In a press release put out by the Republican Study Committee, a group made up of conservative members of the party, Franklin applauded the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. “Housing affordability has become a real challenge for families across Florida and the country, driven by years of government red tape, outdated regulations and rising construction costs that have made it harder to build,” said Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18)
“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act takes practical steps to cut unnecessary barriers, expand housing supply, modernize outdated federal housing programs and improve access to financing. While there is no single solution to the housing affordability crisis, this legislation moves us in the right direction and helps expand access to homeownership for working families.”
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond?
Franklin did not respond to this survey but in a social media post, said the following: “Keeping America ahead in AI means protecting consumers without holding back innovation. I met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Technology Engagement Center to talk about AI, data privacy and keeping American innovators competitive. We must get this right to support American innovation and stay ahead of Communist China.”
What is the single biggest issue the government should address when it comes to public education in Florida?
Franklin has stated that education decisions should be left to the local level instead of a one size fit all approach.
Do you agree with the current federal and state governments’ approaches to immigration enforcement? Why or why not?Franklin did not respond to this questionnaire but did vote to continue funding the Department of Homeland Security. In a press release after the vote Franklin said the following:
“Our approach is straightforward. Pay every DHS employee. Restore full operations. Ensure every mission, from securing the border to responding to disasters, has the resources it needs. As an appropriator, I will not accept funding national security halfway and defunding law enforcement. Partial security isn’t security at all.”
Deva Simmons, No Party Affiliation
Age: 57
Residence: Lakeland
Campaign website: devasimmons.com
Education: Master of Science, Adelphi University; Bachelor of Arts, Columbia College
Occupation: Retired business owner
If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?Proposed Data Centers & Infrastructure: I support a moratorium on new data center construction until we fully understand the long-term effects and establish appropriate regulations and protections.
Cost of Living: I support stronger government oversight of policies–including tariffs and foreign conflicts–that can drive up costs.
Education: I support legislation to increase teacher pay and provide appropriate funding for resources, that help educators teach and students succeed.
Please vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position: No.
No. I understand why property tax relief is appealing, especially when families are already struggling with the cost of living. Before eliminating a major source of local revenue, we must answer the question: Where will funding for local government come from? I support responsible property tax relief, but it must not come at the expense of the essential services our communities depend on. We need a sustainable solution that provides relief without creating another funding crisis.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say housing affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue?
Families in our district are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, gas, housing, and other necessities. As a federal representative, I will work with the Governor, state legislators, and local leaders to identify and appropriate available resources to provide relief to those who need it most. At the federal level, I will also support policies that reduce unnecessary costs and address economic policies that contribute to rising prices. Affordability should be a priority-not a luxury.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond?
I believe Florida should impose a moratorium on new large-scale data centers until we have a comprehensive understanding of their impact on electricity rates, water usage, infrastructure, and the reliability of our grid. We should also require data centers to pay their fair share of the additional infrastructure and energy costs they create rather than shifting those costs onto residents.
What is the single biggest issue the government should address when it comes to public education in Florida?
Florida must invest in the educators who are responsible for preparing our children for the future. That means increasing teacher pay and reducing class sizes so teachers can give students the attention they need. I am also concerned about public funds being directed to private schools without comparable accountability and standards. Public education funding should prioritize students, teachers, and schools while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and transparently.
Do you agree with the current federal and state governments’ approaches to immigration enforcement? Why or why not? I do not agree with the current federal and state governments' approaches to immigration enforcement. I believe everyone, regardless of immigration status, should be protected from unlawful actions and afforded due process under the Constitution. I do not believe government should create policies that place anyone above the law, nor should anyone be denied their constitutional rights. Immigration laws should be enforced fairly, while respecting due process and the rule of law.
