FL-15: Laurel Lee (R)
REPLACING:
Scott Franklin (R)[i]
WORK HISTORY:
Florida Department of State (Secretary of State); Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida – Hillsborough County (Judge); US Department of Justice (Assistant US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida); US Department of Justice (Assistant Public Defender); Carlton Fields Law Firm (Attorney)[ii] [iii] [iv] [v]
EDUCATION:
BA, University of Florida; JD, University of Florida – Levin College of Law[vi] [vii]
CAMPAIGNED ON:
Economy; Law Enforcement; Second Amendment; Families; Immigration; Elections[viii]
ON THE ISSUES
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:
Lee opposes abortion but calls it a “very personal decision” and supports exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.[ix] [x] She praised the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, saying she was “pleased this court is finally defending the Constitution as our founding fathers intended.”[xi] She supports Florida’s 15-week ban and firmly believes abortion should be a state issue.[xii]
ECONOMY, JOBS & TAXES:
Lee named rising inflation as “one of the driving forces” that led her to run for Congress and argues that President Biden’s policies are “crippling the economy.”[xiii] She will advocate for policies that will “empower our businesses” and “get the economy back on track and put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans,” including cutting government spending, lowering taxes, and balancing the budget.[xiv] [xv] Lee opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and wants the federal government to cut regulations and stop picking “winners and losers.”[xvi] [xvii] She has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business.[xviii]
HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:
Lee has criticized COVID-19 relief packages passed by Congress, accusing Democrats of overspending.[xix]
IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:
Lee believes securing the border is “imperative for the safety of our community and the security of our country,” and supports building the wall.[xx] [xxi] She has called for deporting undocumented immigrants who entered the country illegally.[xxii]
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:
Lee supports law enforcement and has pledged to “stand up to the radical liberals who want to defund the police.”[xxiii] [xxiv] As a federal prosecutor, Lee investigated and litigated False Claims Act cases as well as a wide range of criminal offenses, including white-collar crime, violent crime, and offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children.[xxv]
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS & ELECTION SECURITY:
Lee has claimed she “never disputed that Joe Biden today is the duly elected president of the United States.”[xxvi] As Secretary of State, she oversaw Florida’s election process and has taken credit for the state’s 2020 election, claiming it was secure, accurate, timely, and reliable.[xxvii] However, she has suggested that problems may have arisen in other states because they “deviated from their existing election code.”[xxviii] According to her campaign website, she worked to strengthen election integrity and cyber security, as well as increase voter registration and participation.[xxix] Notably, weeks before the 2020 election, Lee reportedly sought to purge felons from voter rolls in Florida if they had outstanding court debts, which Politico described as “a surprise, late-hour move” that came after more than two million people had already voted.[xxx] She supports early and mail-in voting.[xxxi] [xxxii] Lee would oppose efforts to expand the US Supreme Court and is in favor of term limits for members of Congress.[xxxiii]
EDUCATION:
Lee believes parents should have a say in what type of school their children attend.[xxxiv] Notably, she has served on the foundation board of Pepin Academies, a K-12 charter school.[xxxv]
CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:
Lee advocates for sustainable rebuilding and regrowth, while protecting what green spaces are left.[xxxvi] She wants the US to be energy independent and supports new domestic energy production.[xxxvii] [xxxviii] However, she opposes oil drilling off Florida’s coast, arguing the threat of environmental disasters unduly endangers the state’s tourism economy.[xxxix] Lee has called for “reviving” the Keystone XL Pipeline.[xl]
BIG TECH & DATA PRIVACY:
While serving as Secretary of State, Governor Ron DeSantis directed Lee to “use all legal means to uncover violations of Florida’s election laws,” including by Facebook, which DeSantis alleged was participating in “Big Tech interference” to influence the outcomes of state and local elections.[xli] [xlii]
GUN SAFETY:
Lee supports the Second Amendment and believes the right to keep and bear arms is “fundamental and is not to be abridged.”[xliii] She opposes new gun safety measures, including red flag laws, expanded background checks, and banning assault weapons.[xliv] [xlv] Lee has been endorsed by the NRA, which gave her an “AQ” rating in 2022.[xlvi]
FOREIGN POLICY:
During a July 2022 Republican conference, Lee was the only candidate to oppose sending non-military personnel to Ukraine.[xlvii] Notably, Lee’s Democratic opponent has criticized her family’s business interests and accused them of profiting from investments in Chinese businesses, including an investment in Alibaba Group Holding that is listed in Lee’s candidate financial disclosure.[xlviii] [xlix] Lee has dismissed the accusations without addressing any specifics.[l]
[i] “Rep. Scott Franklin,” LegiStorm, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/366519/Clifford_Scott_Franklin.html.
[ii] “Laurel Lee, Republican Candidate for Florida Congressional District 15,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/meet-laurel-lee/.
[iii] Jacob Ogles, “Laurel Lee running for Congress in CD 15,” Florida Politics, May 17, 2022, available at https://floridapolitics.com/archives/523934-laurel-lee-running-for-congress-in-cd-15/.
[iv] “Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Judge Laurel M. Lee As Florida Secretary Of State,” CBS News, January 28, 2019, available at https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-judge-laurel-m-lee-as-florida-secretary-of-state/.
[v] “Two UF grads appointed to Hillsborough judgeships,” Tampa Bay Times, May 6, 2013, available at https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/two-uf-grads-appointed-to-hillsborough-judgeships/2119520/.
[vi] “Two UF grads appointed to Hillsborough judgeships,” Tampa Bay Times, May 6, 2013, available at https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/two-uf-grads-appointed-to-hillsborough-judgeships/2119520/.
[vii] “Laurel Moore Lee,” Florida Bar, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/profile/?num=177581.
[viii] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[ix] “Four Tampa Bay races for U.S. House: Times Editorial Board recommendations,” Tampa Bay Times, October 13, 2022, available at https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2022/10/13/four-tampa-bay-races-us-house-times-editorial-board-recommendations/.
[x] “U.S. House of Representatives: The Times Editorial Board recommendations; More than 20 candidates are competing in U.S. House races in the Tampa Bay area,” Tampa Bay Times, July 21, 2022, accessed via LexisNexis.
[xi] “Laurel Lee Statement on Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions,” Laurel Lee for Congress Press Release, June 24, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/laurel-lee-statement-on-recent-us-supreme-court-decisions/.
[xii] Libbey Dean, “Candidates focus on abortion rights in race for Florida’s 15th District,” NBC WFLA News Channel 8, September 13, 2022, available at https://www.wfla.com/news/politics/candidates-focus-on-abortion-rights-in-race-for-floridas-15th-district/.
[xiii] “Laurel Lee Statement on Inflation Rising to 9.1% in June,” Laurel Lee for Congress Press Release, July 13, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/laurel-lee-statement-on-inflation-rising-to-9-1-in-june/.
[xiv] Rebecca Petit, “Congressional District 15 candidates Alan Cohn, Laurel Lee differ on key issues impacting voters,” ABC Action News (WFTS Tampa Bay), October 26, 2022, available at https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/congressional-district-15-candidates-alan-cohn-laurel-lee-differ-on-key-issues-impacting-voters.
[xv] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[xvi] “Interview: The Morgan Streetman Show,” Laurel Lee for Congress, August 10, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/interview-the-morgan-streetman-show%ef%bf%bc/.
[xvii] “Interview: The Morgan Streetman Show,” Laurel Lee for Congress, August 10, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/interview-the-morgan-streetman-show%ef%bf%bc/.
[xviii] National Federation of Independent Business Twitter, October 6, 2022, available at https://twitter.com/NFIB/status/1578039506837684224.
[xix] Sara-Megan Walsh, “Congressional District 15: Democrat Alan Cohn faces Republican Laurel Lee for open seat,” The Ledger, October 24, 2022, available at https://www.theledger.com/story/news/politics/elections/congressional/2022/10/24/democrat-alan-cohn-faces-republican-laurel-lee-congressional-district-15-seat/10561153002/.
[xx] Brian Fernandes, “Congressional Candidates discuss potential policies,” Plant City Observer, June 23, 2022, available at https://www.plantcityobserver.com/congressional-candidates-discuss-potential-policies/.
[xxi] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[xxii] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[xxiii] “Laurel Lee Highlights New ‘Split Second’ TV Ad,” Laurel Lee for Congress Press Release, August 1, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/laurel-lee-highlights-new-split-second-tv-ad/.
[xxiv] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[xxv] “Laurel Lee, Republican Candidate for Florida Congressional District 15,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/meet-laurel-lee/.
[xxvi] Romy Ellenbogen, “3 takeaways from Laurel Lee, Alan Cohn debate for Florida’s 15th District,” Tampa Bay Times, October 20, 2022, available at https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2022/10/20/three-takeaways-laurel-lee-alan-cohn-debate-floridas-15th-district/.
[xxvii] Brian Fernandes, “Congressional Candidates discuss potential policies,” Plant City Observer, June 23, 2022, available at https://www.plantcityobserver.com/congressional-candidates-discuss-potential-policies/.
[xxviii] “Interview: The Morgan Streetman Show,” Laurel Lee for Congress, August 10, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/interview-the-morgan-streetman-show%ef%bf%bc/.
[xxix] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[xxx] Gary Fineout, “Florida acts to remove felons from voter rolls as election looms,” Politico, October 15, 2020, available at https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2020/10/15/florida-acts-to-remove-felons-from-voter-rolls-as-election-looms-1325582.
[xxxi] Laurel Lee Twitter, August 7, 2022, available at https://twitter.com/Vote_Laurel/status/1556354322069430278.
[xxxii] Laurel Lee Twitter, August 6, 2022, available at https://twitter.com/Vote_Laurel/status/1556068625500569601.
[xxxiii] Romy Ellenbogen, “3 takeaways from Laurel Lee, Alan Cohn debate for Florida’s 15th District,” Tampa Bay Times, October 20, 2022, available at https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2022/10/20/three-takeaways-laurel-lee-alan-cohn-debate-floridas-15th-district/.
[xxxiv] Brian Fernandes, “Congressional Candidates discuss potential policies,” Plant City Observer, June 23, 2022, available at https://www.plantcityobserver.com/congressional-candidates-discuss-potential-policies/.
[xxxv] “Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Judge Laurel M. Lee as Florida Secretary of State,” Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Press Release, January 28, 2019, available at https://www.flgov.com/2019/01/28/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-judge-laurel-m-lee-as-florida-secretary-of-state/.
[xxxvi] Sara-Megan Walsh, “Congressional District 15: Democrat Alan Cohn faces Republican Laurel Lee for open seat,” The Ledger, October 24, 2022, available at https://www.theledger.com/story/news/politics/elections/congressional/2022/10/24/democrat-alan-cohn-faces-republican-laurel-lee-congressional-district-15-seat/10561153002/.
[xxxvii] “Interview: The Morgan Streetman Show,” Laurel Lee for Congress, August 10, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/interview-the-morgan-streetman-show%ef%bf%bc/.
[xxxviii] “Four Tampa Bay races for U.S. House: Times Editorial Board recommendations,” Tampa Bay Times, October 13, 2022, available at https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2022/10/13/four-tampa-bay-races-us-house-times-editorial-board-recommendations/.
[xxxix] “Four Tampa Bay races for U.S. House: Times Editorial Board recommendations,” Tampa Bay Times, October 13, 2022, available at https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2022/10/13/four-tampa-bay-races-us-house-times-editorial-board-recommendations/.
[xl] “The Issues,” Laurel Lee for Congress, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://votelaurel.com/the-issues/.
[xli] Ron DeSantis, Letter to Secretary of State Lee, September 27, 2021, available at https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/9.27.21-Letter-to-SOS-Lee.pdf.
[xlii] John Kennedy, “DeSantis touts policy in fundraising,” Florida Times-Union, October 10, 2021, accessed via LexisNexis.
[xliii] Brian Fernandes, “Congressional Candidates discuss potential policies,” Plant City Observer, June 23, 2022, available at https://www.plantcityobserver.com/congressional-candidates-discuss-potential-policies/.
[xliv] “U.S. House of Representatives: The Times Editorial Board recommendations; More than 20 candidates are competing in U.S. House races in the Tampa Bay area,” Tampa Bay Times, July 21, 2022, accessed via LexisNexis.
[xlv] Brian Fernandes, “Congressional Candidates discuss potential policies,” Plant City Observer, June 23, 2022, available at https://www.plantcityobserver.com/congressional-candidates-discuss-potential-policies/.
[xlvi] “Florida,” NRA-PVF Grades & Endorsements, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida/.
[xlvii] Romy Ellenbogen, “At Republican conference, Tampa Bay candidates vie to show they’re red enough; During debates at the Sunshine Summit, congressional candidates largely agreed on ideas around the border, education and term limits,” Tampa Bay Times, July 22, 2022, accessed via LexisNexis.
[xlviii] Jacob Ogles, “Alan Cohn, Laurel Lee spar on abortion, immigration as accusations fly,” Florida Politics, October 21, 2022, available at https://floridapolitics.com/archives/565536-alan-cohn-laurel-lee-spar-on-abortion-immigration-as-accusations-fly/.
[xlix] Laurel Lee Financial Disclosure Report, Office of the Clerk of the US House of Representatives, Filing Date: July 18, 2022, accessed November 3, 2022, available at https://disclosures-clerk.house.gov/public_disc/financial-pdfs/2022/10049728.pdf.
[l] Jacob Ogles, “Alan Cohn, Laurel Lee spar on abortion, immigration as accusations fly,” Florida Politics, October 21, 2022, available at https://floridapolitics.com/archives/565536-alan-cohn-laurel-lee-spar-on-abortion-immigration-as-accusations-fly/.
