Candidate Profile: Doug Bankson 2026

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If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?

Affordability

1. Continue my work to reduce insurance costs for both property and auto through maintaining the tort reform and increasing OIR oversight by holding insurance company presidents that bankrupt companies accountable and unable to simply start a new company.  

2. Regarding supplementing the lost tax revenue for local govts,  there is a statewide 35 percent reduction in revenue, although disproportionate among municipalities, especially in more rural settings. This will require a trust fund to be established from which grants will be allocated, and equitable standards for grant application protected from political motivations. That being said, there are several ways we can approach this: a minimal 1% sales tax increase, 6% sales tax at the time of purchase with proceeds set into a trust fund for more affected cities, a small surcharge on tourism stays that supply the trust fund, and an effort to combine first responder services, and other various revenue streams such as a front-facing license plate on vehicles, tiered on-ramp approach to replace dependency on homestead tax revenue, and at minimum we should match the 1980 homestead exemption of $25,000 when the average home cost $45,000 making it a 56 percent exemption at the time. In 2026 the average home is $382,000 so had we maintained a percentage basis that would have been $214.000. This is another justification for the necessity to increase homestead exemption.    

3. A reduction in property tax would make first time home buying more attainable and ease the pressure on the rental market, thus bringing a market-based solution to the rental problem.  

4. Utilize 3P (public private partnerships) for addressing housing needs and aim funding for demonstrated positive ROI partners.

Pro business  

1. Focus on job creation by supporting small business protections, reduce red tape, and promote jobs and economic development incentive such as our successful removal of business rent tax.  

2. Address workforce needs through education opportunities and continued interaction with industry to match their need.  

3. Oppose duplicative regulations that create unnecessary red tape, increase costs, and add burdensome layers of bureaucracy. If property tax reforms are approved in November, I will rely on input from industry leaders to understand their needs and work to ensure that businesses are not subjected to onerous tax shifts or unintended financial burdens.  

4. We need to provide affordable and attainable housing for the workforce, and this coincides with my former point of supporting public-private partnerships and uniting all levels of government. We can further accomplish this with tax relief and proper utilization of Sadowski funds.

Transportation

1. Build on my work in the area of evtol technology and vertiport development to alleviate the pressure on our ground infrastructure.    

2. Advocate for increased transportation funding for central FL and work with CRX to make sure revenues are spent to extend local exit arteries.

Why do you deserved to be re-elected in this race?

Having served six years at the local level and now four years in Tallahassee, I’ve grown in a depth of understanding both at the local and state levels. I believe in working together to solve real world issues that my constituents face. I served for 19 years on our local Chamber of Commerce as both a board member and past chairman, I’m familiar and supportive of business and entrepreneurial needs. Over the past two legislative sessions I have passed 20 bills, and I have built a reputation and proven track record of working hard to advance meaningful legislation that promotes economic opportunity, public safety, workforce development, and educational advancement. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. When it comes to appropriations, I work diligently to ensure that state funding does not simply flow south to Miami. I strive to highlight Central Florida's role as an emerging leader in innovation and next-generation technology, while promoting our region as a healthy, affordable, and desirable place to call home.It is an incredible honor to serve the people of my district, and I believe in working together wherever possible to get the job done.

According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue?

Answered in Question 1.

Will you vote Yes or No on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions?

Yes, as I agree that homesteads should be owned and protected, and I also believe through reducing government waste and replacing lost revenue, we can work together to do the right thing and still fund the things that are important to Floridians. It will be incumbent upon the next legislature to delve into the implementation phase of tasked by Florida citizens. I’ve answered this question in prior responses in this survey above, and also in my answer to the next survey question regarding data centers.

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?

First, we should make sure that regulations are in place to protect neighborhoods from intrusion against quality of life issues. We must also require data centers to be net neutral in closed loop systems for water usage to not harm our water needs. Finally, I believe in pursuing micro nuclear power and requiring data centers to produce their own power supplies, both protecting our public power grids, and being a source to backfeed into the power supply in times of emergency. I believe this could create a great source of revenue to help replace our reduced property tax revenues and position us to lead when it comes to increased AI and data center necessities.

What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida?

I have a passion to see Lake Apopka restored to its pristine beauty for future generations. Water issues should top the list so that our aquifer is protected and our waterways are enjoyed for posterity.

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