Skandera Aims To Bring A Youthful Perspective

At 21, Richard Skandera is likely the youngest candidate running for state office this year.

Not only that, but the college student aims to take on one of the most influential politicians in the state in Sen. Mike Fasano, who has held the District 11 seat for 14 years.

Skandera acknowledges the cynicism directed at him by older voters. As Bay area newspapers run stories about his campaign, more than a few online readers leave comments dismissing him as "a kid." But Skandera says he's unfazed.

"I think someone my age needs to be represented in the Legislature," Skandera said. "Large demographics are being left out of the mix."

And, he contends, "The Legislature needs an idealist."

Skandera says he's had a primer on government as a student senator at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology and anthropology. His job interviewing Disney visitors about their experience has helped him with people skills, he said.

Skandera has plenty of ideas. As part of his so-called "100 Ways Campaign," he wields a list of 100 goals he'll work toward if elected. They range from lifting the student dropout age from 16 to 18 to establishing wind farms off the state's coast.

He says education is among his chief motivations for running. Skandera is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Palm Harbor University High School and contends the IB approach - which fosters learning by intermingling disciplines - can be applied at all grade levels to engage students. That same method should be used to develop an alternative to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment test, said Skandera, who noted he is one of only a few candidates in the state who have actually taken the test.

He said he is alarmed by funding cuts to education from kindergarten to college level and said those monies need to be restored, especially for the Bright Futures scholarship. There would be plenty of money to pay for a top-notch education system in the state by cutting "pork that legislators sneak into the budget."

Lawmakers should set a price ceiling on homeowner insurance rates and prohibit companies from writing some types of policies without also offering homeowner coverage. He contends the state should mandate that high-rise buildings be built at least 2,000 feet from the shoreline.

Though short on specifics, he said he would support property tax legislation, particularly for lower-income individuals "who are suffering the most."

Skandera's platform is heavy on environment-friendly ideals, such as a state-owned energy trust that focuses on alternative energy. He favors a "complete moratorium" on expanded oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

He would have an "open-door policy" for constituents so they won't have to negotiate the staff hierarchies of a typical lawmaker. He said he's not concerned about one group flooding his office.

"I don't think the lobbyists aren't going to like me very much," he said.

Richard Skandera

Age: 21

Resides: Palm Harbor

Family: single, never married

Education: graduate of Palm Harbor University High School; pursuing bachelor's degree in psychology and anthropology at University of Central Florida

Professional experience: customer researcher for Walt Disney Co.

Political experience: none

Faith: Lutheran

Hobbies: Traveling, reading, exercising

Last book read: John Adams, by David McCullough.

Most admired: Thomas Jefferson