First and foremost, thank you to the families and local businesses across Lee County who have supported our campaign. Your encouragement, prayers, volunteer efforts, and belief in our message have been truly overwhelming.
A few weeks ago, our campaign participated in the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Candidate Straw Poll, which drew the largest attendance in the event’s history. When the audience straw poll results were announced, our campaign received over 80% of the vote, winning by a margin of 257 to 53.
That result confirmed what we have been hearing from voters across Lee County: Our message of putting residents ahead of special interests is resonating. The momentum behind this campaign continues to grow because people want accountable leadership that will always put Lee County residents first.
Unfortunately, since that event, my family, our business, and I have been subjected to a series of false and misleading political attacks through postcard mailers, radio advertisements, and media coverage. Rather than discussing the issues facing Lee County, these attacks are designed to distract voters with misinformation and personal accusations.
I want to thank the countless members of our community who immediately recognized these claims for what they are and stood beside our family.
Let me set the record straight. The allegations that have been made are false.
I am not a real estate broker and have never brokered the sale of any property. My husband and my son are licensed real estate professionals.
I will never apologize for the success our family has achieved through hard work. Like many small business owners, we’ve experienced good years and difficult years, but we have always worked honestly and proudly to serve our community.
Our family’s brokerage has operated openly for years. One recent political mailer falsely claims that my family’s company brokered the sale of 220 acres in Alva to a developer. That claim is completely false.
The property referenced in the mailer was the 220-acre Battista Farms sod operation in Charlotte County, an active agricultural operation that my husband brokered in 2022. Battista Farms was one of the most recognizable sod farms in Southwest Florida. My family’s company has never brokered the sale of land in Alva for a high-density residential development that would be incompatible with the area’s rural character.
Another property featured in the attack ad is a 40-acre agricultural parcel in Buckingham that was sold to a respected local custom home builder. The property remains zoned agricultural and has since been arranged into homesites of at least 2.5 acres, helping preserve the area’s rural character.
That is exactly the type of responsible growth I will continue to champion in order to protect Lee County’s natural areas and environmental resources.
Let me be clear: I support growth. Lee County will continue to grow, and growth is both necessary and beneficial when it is planned responsibly.
Lee County deserves leaders who will stand up to overdevelopment, protect our water, support local jobs, and keep taxes low. I support local builders, local businesses, and responsible development that respects our Comprehensive Plan and ensures infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
It is also no secret that I am a conservative Republican. I represent my precinct on the Lee County Republican Executive Committee and serve as vice chair of the East Lee County Republican Club.
The priorities I am advocating for — responsible growth, stronger infrastructure, clean water, fiscal responsibility, and accountable government — benefit every resident of Lee County.
The endorsement from VoteWater reflects my commitment to protecting clean water and preserving Lee County’s quality of life. VoteWater has supported candidates from both major political parties, including Governor Ron DeSantis. Clean water is not a partisan issue. Protecting our rivers, estuaries, drinking water, and natural resources benefits every family and every business in Lee County.
This election is about much more than political mailers or negative advertisements.
It is about whether Lee County will continue allowing out-of-town special interests to influence our future, or whether we will elect leaders who answer to the people who live, work, and raise their families here.
The contrast in this race has become clear.
Our campaign has energized voters across Lee County because people are looking for honest leadership, thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, and common-sense solutions to the challenges facing our county.
Unfortunately, instead of debating those issues, my opponent has chosen to rely on personal attacks and political distractions.
The people of Lee County deserve better.
I owe political favors to NO ONE. Every decision I make will be guided by conservative principles, common sense, and what is best for the citizens of Lee County — not political insiders or special interests.
I will continue focusing on the issues that matter most: responsible growth, infrastructure, clean water, public safety, and protecting the quality of life that makes Lee County such a special place to call home.
THAT is the leadership the people of Lee County deserve.
My name is Amanda Cochran, and I believe Trust is Earned, NOT Given.
I hope to earn your trust, your confidence, and your vote.
Amanda Cochran is a candidate for Lee County Commission, District 5.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Putting residents ahead of special interests in Lee County | Opinion
Reporting by Amanda Cochran / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Amanda Cochran | USA TODAY Network
