Covering Levy and Marion counties along with the southern half of Alachua County, state Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, has held the District 9 seat for eight years—serving in the House for six years prior.
Hitting his term limit, Perry will leave his post as two hopefuls face off in November for the seat. Perry has remained involved with legislation he helped pass despite his upcoming departure, filing an emergency petition with three other residents over the upcoming Alachua County referendum on at-large districts.
Dr. Sylvain Doré with the Democratic Party and Stan McClain with the Republican Party will be on the November ballot. Doré lives in Alachua County, and McClain lives in Marion County. McClain has represented part of Marion, Lake and Volusia counties since 2016.
Neither candidate had challengers for the primary election in August.
Dr. Sylvain Doré
Age: 58.
Democratic Party
Occupation: Retired Professor of Anesthesiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Pharmaceutics, and Neuroscience, Managing a small real estate business.
Previous experience in elected office: N/A
Public service other than elected office:
07/2017 to 06/2022 Elected Member, Advisory Council of Faculty. Senates of the State University System of Florida
06/2019 to 05/2022 Chairperson of the University of Florida Faculty Senate
06/2020 to 05/2021 Member of the University of Florida Board of Trustees
What prompted you to run for the Florida Senate?
After 13 years as a brain doctor and professor at UF, I’ve seen the struggles Floridians face. It’s heartbreaking that many can’t achieve the American Dream or pass wealth to their kids. As a fiscally conservative Democrat and small real estate company owner, I feel a personal connection to these issues. The current Republican supermajority seems to be ignoring these needs. We need to lower the cost of living, protect reproductive rights, invest in schools/clinics, and support medical professionals and teachers. As a senator, I’ll fight for your issues as if they were my own.
What are the two most important issues facing Florida?
I believe the two most important issues facing Florida are the cost of living crisis (rent, home/health insurance, education, etc.) and the danger of not listening/supporting and appropriately addressing the shortage of qualified public professionals in cities and regions (teachers, nurses, doctors, bus drivers, officers, support staff, etc.). These issues directly affect each and every one of us, and it’s crucial that we come together to find solutions.
What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Florida Senate?
I hope to put forward bills that are “no-brainers” that members of both parties will easily and wholeheartedly support. I wish to establish, through a public-private partnership, a system of subsidized Pre-K where no parent pays more than $12/day. Childcare affordability is one of the greatest factors preventing parents from participating in the workforce. If the cost of child care is one that parents can effectively manage, more stay-at-home parents will be able to re-enter the workforce earlier.
I will advocate for the repeal of provisions in HB 433 that preempt heat and minimum wage regulations to the state. I will also advocate for funding for the arts and to keep the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act. I hope to bring meaningful solutions to voting rights and taking care of our most vulnerable Floridians. These changes are only a few essential to ensure the well-being and safety of our communities.
What votes from recent legislative sessions have you disagreed with, if any, and why?
HB433 from this year is a personal concern as it undermines worker safety by preventing local governments from enacting essential heat protection measures. I spent my summers in school doing farm work, which would be impossible now in Florida under this law.
Secondly, I disagreed with HB1645 because it poses a grave threat to Florida’s ecosystems and long-term sustainability by rolling back environmental protections in favor of development projects. Its passage is alarming as it prioritizes partisan agendas over the well-being of Floridians.
Finally, HB601 is a cause for concern as it significantly limits civilian oversight of police activities by putting the process in the hands of… you guessed it, sheriffs and chiefs of police. This undermines the tenets of transparency and accountability in policing, which are essential for building trust and addressing officer misconduct. This new law will harm communities and make us less safe.
Anything else you’d like to tell voters?
This November, you have a choice between two extremes: A man who spent his entire career helping humanity and a man who spent his career helping himself and his political cronies. Elections like this one can have a direct impact on your daily life, from education to public health and safety. The Legislature has effectively moved Florida backward on everything related to climate change, women’s rights, education, and more. We must keep Florida beautiful and its citizens happy while maintaining our economic prosperity. You can learn more about my campaign at www.SylvainDore.com.
Stan McClain
Age: 62
Republican Party
Occupation: General Contractor
Previous experience in elected office:
Florida House of Representatives (8 years)
Marion County Commissioner (12 years)
Public service other than elected office:
Marion County Children’s Alliance Board of Directors
Florida Home Builders Association, current member
Marion County Building Industry Association, current member
Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation, past member
Southwest Florida Water Management District, Springs Coast Steering Committee, past member
Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority, past member, Chairman, 2011
What prompted you to run for the Florida Senate?
I’ve been representing the citizens of North Central Florida for a number of years. I originally ran for office because I saw issues arising that were negatively impacting our children, and I wanted to do something about it and not just sit on the sidelines. I am continuing to run for public office because I have a passion to serve others and there is still a lot to do for our citizens in Tallahassee.
What are the two most important issues facing Florida?
Two issues that are ongoing for our Florida citizens are property insurance costs and affordable housing. During my time as a state representative, we tackled these issues but there is still work to be done.
What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Florida Senate?
As a Senator, my goal is to do the best job I can representing my constituents in Senate District 9. Additionally, I hope to help tackle the big issues facing Floridians such as the ones listed above but also infrastructure, water, and future energy supplies.
What votes from recent legislative sessions have you disagreed with, if any, and why?
During my time in the Florida House, we have had strong and focused leadership. For example, combining education and employment to make sure that our students are able to get a job after they graduate. I am proud of my voting record while in the Florida House and proud of what the House, Senate, and Governor has done for our state.
Anything else you’d like to tell voters?
It would be an honor to represent you in Tallahassee. The best legislation comes from ideas by you, everyday citizens who think of solutions that can help others. My door is always open, and I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you.