Susan Frantz, one of two Republicans aiming to win the Aug. 18 Florida House District 78 primary, says she will not outline her views and policies in a News-Press & Naples Daily News candidate questionnaire.
The 11-item survey covers property taxes, water quality, housing and immigration. It was designed to give voters an overview of candidates’ positions on important local, state and national issues.
Opponent Audrey Brooks completed the questionnaire, but despite frequent requests by phone, text and email, Frantz has continued to decline.
July 30, Frantz wrote in a text that she’d “been on the road knocking doors (so) haven’t had a chance to fill it out.” She offered to respond after the Aug. 18 primary.
The district has no incumbent since Jenna Persons-Mulicka was tapped by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the Lee County Supervisor of Elections seat after Supervisor Tommy Doyle’s January retirement. Frantz and Brooks are making their first runs for elected office. Whoever wins will face Democrat Cindy Banyai in her fourth campaign for office.
Bounded by the Caloosahatchee to the northwest, the dependably Republican district is entirely in Lee County, and includes much of the Fort Myers area, extending east to include some of Lehigh Acres and south to Island Park.
Asked again Aug. 1, Frantz said she was focusing on asking the questions in person, reiterating the point after a final request Aug. 3.
Aug. 4, she wrote: “The next 14 days I have a lot of doors to knock and calls to make , but I’m happy to sit down immediately following the primary, if god willing I win!”
Most candidates who will appear on primary ballots in Southwest Florida have shared their views in response to The News-Press & Naples Daily News questionnaires, including Republican primary candidates in two other Florida House districts – districts 76 and district 82.
Amy Bennett Williams is a senior reporter. Reach her at awilliams@news-press.com.
Follow The News-Press & Naples Daily News throughout the Election 2026 campaign season, including Q&As with candidates running in key Southwest Florida races coming soon.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Frantz refuses News-Press candidate questionnaire before GOP primary
Reporting by Amy Bennett Williams, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Amy Bennett Williams, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
