Spotlight on the FL 24th Congressional District

Republican Winner, Sandy Adams
The 24rd Congressional District lies in the east central region of Florida. It encompasses suburbs of Orlando and nearly 80 miles of the Space Coast, including much of the NASA Space Center and also Daytona Beach, where NASCAR is a major employer. Portions of Brevard, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties are covered. Former State Rep. Suzanne Kosmas unseated two term incumbent Republican Tom Feeney (who suffered from numerous ethics issues) in 2008. Her chances in this midterm were ALREADY precarious given the slight Republican edge in the 24th, but her shot at re-election dimmed considerably when she voted in favor of health care reform on the heels of casting votes for the failed stimulus and higher taxes via the cap-and-trade bill. The local economy has taken a big hit. Nine thousand jobs are on the chopping block as a result of the space shuttle program shut down. There are a lot of seniors in this district and the slated Medicare cuts in the government healthcare takeover have raised grave concerns to the detriment of Kosmas’ approval rating, which has plunged to 36% as measured by the American Action Forum. Republican State Rep. Sandy Adams won a hotly contested primary and faced Kosmas in November. Adams is an Air Force Veteran and has 17 years experience in the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Sandy's first husband, Deputy Frank Seton, was tragically killed in the line of duty. His death motivated her to become more active in citizens’ and victims’ rights issues. She helped found the Central Florida Chapter of the Concerns of Police Survivors and became a leading advocate for victims’ rights. As a fiscal conservative who supports strong border protection and national defense, and pro-growth policies that will create jobs, Sandy Adams presented a clear choice to big government Obama loyalist Kosmas - a choice which strongly favored the Republican. Adams prevailed in a rout, winning 60% to 40%.
Sandy Adams
  • BA, Criminal Justice Administration, Columbia College, 2000
  • U.S. Air Force, retired
  • Investigator, Orange County Sheriff's Office, 1985-2002

  • President, Central Florida Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors Incorporated, 1992-2001

  • Representative, Florida State House of Representatives, 2003-present

ISSUES

  • Jobs and the Economy: With lower taxes and less regulations, American entrepreneurs will make the investments necessary to create economic growth and good-paying jobs; incentivize business to invest in new technologies here in Florida.
  • Government/Deficit Spending: Push Congress to adopt “zero-based” budgeting which forces every government agency to justify their budgets and no longer just receive automatic increases every year; oppose government bailouts
  • Taxes: Support making the Bush Tax Cuts permanent, eliminating the marriage penalty and death tax, and creating a fairer, flatter tax code, such as the fair tax, that would eventually eliminate the I.R.S.
  • Crime: Make sure government is enforcing the law and giving local, state and federal law enforcement the tools and support they need to keep our citizens safe.
  • Illegal Immigration: Authored legislation that would expand the “E-Verify” program to prevent government agencies from using illegal workers from contractors and sub-contractors; fought to prevent those here illegally from getting driver’s licenses and also to prevent taxpayer-funded in-state tuition to illegal residents
  • Second Amendment: Rated A+ by the National Rifle Association and has earned their endorsement for each of her past elections
  • Protecting Life: Endorsed by Florida Right to Life; has voted to limit abortions to minors, expanding parental consent, and limiting late-term abortion  
  • NASA and Space Program: America must continue to be the world leader in space exploration and that includes keeping our space shuttle program solvent until a replacement program is ready. I will work to promote our space coast program in order to protect the thousands of jobs that fuel our regional economy.
  • Energy & Cap and Trade: We need an energy policy that encourages the safe development of all forms of energy including nuclear, clean coal, natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal, oil, and hydro power. Oppose the “Cap and Trade” legislation that would place a national energy tax on all American families and small businesses
  • Healthcare: Solutions for healthcare include lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles – without adding to the crushing debt Washington has placed on our families, children and grandchildren.


"Congress puts the special interests ahead of the taxpayers and then leaves us holding the bill. The Obama-Pelosi spending spree has created a $1.5 trillion deficit and a $14 trillion debt. These policies are destroying our economy and have created a debt of over $40,000 per person. We can no longer stand by and watch the politicians in Washington spend us into oblivion. We must reduce the size and scope of government."
Sandy Adams at OCREC July 22, 2010
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.