During my years serving on the Leon County Commission and in the Florida House of Representatives, it was clear to me that the most effective public servants were the ones whose focus was on the needs of the people they represented, not on personal gain or a political scorecard. The men and women with whom I served sought elective office because they believed it was a way to make life meaningful for others and to build a future to be proud of.
In recent years, that commitment seems to have gotten lost, buried by partisanship, cynicism, and self-serving politics. The goal too often appears to be making headlines or chasing grievances instead of solving problems that benefit the greater good.
Then I met Nic Zateslo. He told me why he was seeking to represent Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. He shared his background — entrepreneur, Eagle Scout, proud product of Tallahassee’s public schools, devoted family man. He has a vision for what North Florida could be. He spoke about the AI revolution and how his business gives him insight into both its pros and cons and the importance of having a member in Congress who has the knowledge to ensure that our laws include both protections and opportunities in AI. He believes our economy should benefit everyone and not just the privileged few. He was thoughtful. He was specific. He was convincingly optimistic in a way that felt earned, not performed.
But what struck me most was what Zateslo didn’t say. He never mentioned the president. He never mentioned the governor. He didn’t invoke a rival, a villain, or a news controversy. He wasn’t running against anyone. He was running for something — for the people and the families of North Florida, for a future worth building. Today that’s rarer than it should be. In Zateslo, it came naturally.
I have always found that if you assume the good in people, you’ll find it — and that if you work toward positive outcomes, you can achieve them. Zateslo embodies that belief. He is the kind of leader North Florida needs right now to represent us in Congress: someone grounded in this community, fluent in the challenges ahead, and motivated by service rather than ambition. He will be a representative who will answer phone calls, attend meetings with constituents and encourage problem solving discussions.
I am proud to support him, and I hope you will too.
Marjorie Turnbull is a former state representative and Leon County commissioner.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why I am endorsing Nic Zateslo for Congress | Marjorie Turnbull
Reporting by Marjorie Turnbull, Your Turn / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Marjorie Turnbull, Your Turn | USA TODAY Network
