Incumbent Republican Adam Botana is facing Democrat Mitchel Schlayer and Write-In candidate Patrick Post to represent Florida House District 80.
Fourteen percent of Collier County voters live in District 80, which also includes part of Lee County.
See the district map here. Find your Florida House district here.
For an introduction to the Florida Legislature, read my primer, The Legislative Branch of Florida’s Government.
In This Post
Below, you will find the following information to help you learn more about the candidates:
- Bios and key issues
- Endorsements
- In the news
- Websites and social media
- Campaign finances
More information and analysis may be added in the weeks ahead. Check back for updates before casting your vote.
Adam Botana (Republican)
Adam Botana, 40, was born, raised, and lives in Bonita Springs. His education consists of a G.E.D. For the last 24 years, he’s worked as VP of Bay Water Boat Rentals, his family’s small boat rental business and boat club in Bonita Springs.
Botana was elected to the Florida House in 2020 on a platform of water quality. He defeated MItchel Schlayer in a run for a second term in a two-way race in 2022, winning 71 percent of the votes. According to his website, he is focused on improving Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, and Sanibel, so Southwest Florida remains the best place to work and raise a family.
His leadership roles in the House include Chief Floor Whip (2022-2024) and Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Hurricane Resiliency and Recovery. He also serves on the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, the Infrastructure Strategies Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee.
Key Issues
According to his website, Botana is committed to:
- Conservative budgets that cut taxes and fees and reduce wasteful spending,
- Reducing burdensome regulations that only hurt our local businesses,
- Preserving our natural beauty by fighting for water quality,
- Supporting President Trump and putting America first, and
- Protecting Florida from the Democrats’ radical socialist agenda.
Endorsements
Botana is endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Realtors® PAC, and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Florida PAC.
In the News
- Clerks’ Funding Bill Crosses the Finish Line and Is Off to the Governor, The Florida Bar, 3/8/24 (Botana introduced HB 1077)
- After Hurricane Ian, Adam Botana seeks funds for Southwest Florida to rebuild, Florida Politics, 2/26/24
- Florida Rep. Adam Botana no longer pushing for Captiva Conservation Area designation, WGCU, 2/12/24
- Florida lawmakers support Governor DeSantis’ Iowa campaign ahead of presidential primary, NBC-2.com, 1/15/24
- Florida lawmaker has proposed eliminating local business taxes; Volusia County already has, Daytona Beach News-Journal, 12/8/23 (Botana proposed HB 609, which would end a requirement of many businesses to pay counties and cities $25 or more annually. He said small businesses are still smarting from the pandemic.)
- Single-member districts, government consolidations on agenda for Lee County lawmakers, Florida Politics, 11/29/23 (Botana and Mike Giallombardo have local bills that would put governance on the ballot in Lee County.)
- Rep. Botana promises referendum on merger bills, Fort Myers Beach Observer and Bulletin, 10/30/23
Websites, Social Media, and Other Resources
- Website – Florida House
- Ballotpedia
- Wikipedia
Mitchel Schlayer (Democrat)
Mitchel Schlayer, 30, from Portsmouth, NH, is a real estate agent and musician. He is a former president of the FSW student body.
This is his second attempt at this House seat. He ran unsuccessfully against Botana in 2022.
Key Issues
According to his website, Schlayer will:
- Combat the Republican-led agenda of redirecting public funds towards private interests,
- Uphold environmental stewardship,
- Represent working-class and low-income families,
- Vigorously oppose censorship and upholding the tenets of free expression, and
- Fight for a woman’s right to choose.
Endorsements
Schlayer is endorsed by the Democratic Party of Lee County and the Democratic Environmental Caucus.
In the News
- Two challenge incumbent for Florida House District 80 in Lee and Collier counties, The News-Press, 6/27/24
- How to get a medical marijuana card (Free Event) by Mitchel Schlayer, 7/21/24
- Democrat Mitchel Schlayer to run campaign against Rep. Botana, WGCU.org, 1/26/24
Websites, Social Media and Other
Patrick Post (WRI)
Patrick Post, 69, studied business administration and management at the University of Oregon (1976-1977). He came to Florida in 2005 to work for jewelry and watch companies on the East Coast and in Orlando before coming to Naples in 2015.
The self-described environmental activist says he is running “for progress and the expansion of solar power throughout Florida.”
In 2001, Post founded Sustainable Planet USA, where his work includes “revolutionary and futuristic renewable energy proposals to reinvent America’s electric power infrastructure” and “a focus on creating new national building code regulations that would require solar and power storage to be installed when constructing new homes, apartments, condos, and buildings which are three stories or less.”
He made two unsuccessful attempts at winning a seat in Congress in 2020 and 2022.
In addition to his longtime interest in renewable energy, Post created the American Literacy Association in 1990. That organization’s goal is to “increase the educational value of all cartoons by adding subtitles to them so every young child in America can improve their reading and learning skills as preschoolers.”
Key Issues
According to his website, Post’s key issues are:
- Promoting solar-powered light-rail train community transit systems,
- Safe bicycle & pedestrian pathways,
- Solar affordable housing, and
- Children’s literacy.
Endorsements
None found.
In the News
- Patrick Post Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits, termlimits.com, 7/16/24
- Two challenge incumbent for Florida House District 80 in Lee and Collier counties, The News-Press, 6/27/24
- Congressman Byron Donalds faces old challengers, newcomer in District 19, The News-Press, 7/22/22
Websites, Social Media, and Other Resources
Campaign Finance
Here is a summary of the candidates’ filings to date:
I reviewed each candidate’s contributions and expenditures. Of note:
- Botana received contributions totaling $52,500 from Political Action and Political Committees, $12,450 from governmental consultants, $5,700 from the healthcare industry, $4,000 from the agriculture industry, $3,7500 from real estate, and $3,000 from parimutuels.
- Botana paid $19,365 to K. Ballard Consulting and $8,912 to PAC Financial Management for treasurer services.
- All of Schlayer’s contributions are from individuals, most of whom are retired. Each contribution was for less than $250. His expenditures were mostly for yard signs and flyers.
Next Steps
It’s time to review the available information and decide which candidate to vote for. I hope this research has been helpful. Thanks for wanting to be a more informed voter!