The race for State House District 77 appears on both the Aug. 18 Primary and Nov. 3 General Election ballots

The Republican primary has two candidates, Bryan Blackwell, a financial advisor with Molloy Financial Group, and Mike Giallombardo, the owner of Cyber Security Total Intelligence Group.

Neither has held political office.

The top vote-getter will then advance to the General Election to face Democrat Joshua Lopez.

Republican Primary – Candidate Bios

Candidate name:

Bryan Blackwell

Seat sought/district: State House, District 77

Party: Republican

Age: 43

Education/degrees: AA, FSW

Occupation and place of employment: Financial Advisor, Molloy Financial Group

Time in the district in which you are running; years of residency in Lee County: 30 years

Business or professional experience applicable to the office you are seeking: 12 Years in the Financial Planning/Investment Advisor Business Co-Manager of Molloy Financial Group with Raymond James – We have four offices and manage just under $350 million in assets. I believe this gives me unique perspective at a macro and micro level of the economy, business and budgeting.

Political Experience/offices held: None

Civic/Community involvement:

Current Chair for the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Board

Past Chair and member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Lee & Hendry Counties Board

Member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Cost Corporate Board

Member of the Cape Coral Community Foundation Board

Member of the Cape Christian Fellowship Finance Committee

Family: Married 20 years to Laurie Blackwell; two amazing teen girls Delaney and Katie

Military Experience:

USMC 4 years Active Duty Rank of Sergeant (E-5); Received the Navy Commendation Medal, 2 Navy Marine Corps achievement Medals and the Good Conduct Medal as well as others

FLARNG 3 yrs Reserve, 1 yr Active Duty Rank of Sergeant (E-5); Received the Good Conduct Medal as well as others

Website:

www.voteblackwell.com

Candidate positions at a glance:

Pro-Water

Low Taxes

Small Government

Pro-Life

Pro-2nd Amendment

Pro-Trump

Anti-Illegal Immigration

Why are you running?

My motivation to run for office stems from my desire to serve. I currently serve as Chairman of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber as well as a board member of the Cape Coral Community Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters. I have also served on numerous others boards and committees locally over the years in my quest to serve. I helped create the Member Advocacy Committee with in the Greater Fort Myers Chamber in order to better advocate for small businesses in SWFL. I have spent extensive time in Tallahassee and Washington D.C. advocating for our community and the issues we face including water quality. I believe I have reached a ceiling in my ability to effectively serve this great community and that the legislature is the next step in continuing my service to our community and its great residents.

Planks of your platform:

Honor, Courage and Commitment

Top three issues:

Economic Recovery from Covid

Water Quality

Growth and Infrastructure

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Candidate name:

Mike Giallombardo

Seat sought/district: State House Representative District 77

Party: Republican

Age: 37

Education/degrees: I received my associates degree in 2004 from Georgia Military, my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University in 2006, and my Masters from American Military University in International Relations with a concentration in Conflict Resolution in 2010.

Occupation and place of employment: Business owner/ Cyber Security. Total Intelligence Group

Time in the district in which you are running; years of residency in Lee County:

I have been a resident of Lee County and Cape Coral for 27 years.

Business or professional experience applicable to the office you are seeking:

I own and operate businesses that specialize in cybersecurity, technology development, commercialization of new technology, and education. I specialize in working with law enforcement, assisting veteran-owned companies, and helping veterans’ transition to civilian life.

Political Experience/offices held: First time candidate.

Civic/Community involvement: Advisor to the South Florida Defense Alliance, Advisory Board for Keiser University and The University of South Florida’s Business Cybersecurity, member of the Military Officers of America Association (MOAA) and a member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves of Southwest Florida.

Family: My wife, Wendi, and I have been married for 11 years, we have a son Luca (7), daughter Presley (4) and help raise our niece Ivey (8).

Military Experience: Member of the United States Army and Florida National Guard.

Enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his deployment, he served with the 4th Infantry Division and also supported special operation missions receiving various Commendation and Achievement Medals and Achievement Medals, awarded for operations in Iraq that lead to capturing various targets.

Currently serves as a Warrant Officer in the Florida National Guard where he serves as a State Emergency Response Team liaison for the State of Florida.

Website: MikeGForFlorida.com

Candidate positions at a glance:

Why are you running? I am running to represent the community I was raised in and have lived in my whole life. After serving in the United States Army I have a sense of Duty to give back to the community I am raising my children in.

Planks of your platform:

Protect the Unborn

As a husband and father, I know there is nothing more precious than the life of a child. I am 100% Pro-Life and will always fight to protect the sanctity of life.

Veterans

Protecting those that protect us will always be a top priority for me. As a member of the armed forces, I know how difficult it can be for veterans to find jobs and reacclimate to civilian life. By removing barriers for them to enter in to trades that they were trained for, our veterans will be able to utilize their skills for a good paying careers. I will always fight to ensure Florida is the most veteran friendly state in America.

Water Quality

Restoring and protecting our water quality is not only paramount to our local economy but also essential to the health and well being of our residents and tourists. I will push to accelerate the completion of projects within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, such as the C-43 and the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoirs. I also recognize that we must do more to reduce our own local impacts and will address pollution at the source before it enters our waterways.

Top three issues:

Rebuild our Economy and Bring Jobs Back to Southwest Florida

Now more than ever we must work to rebuild our economy. As a business owner, I know what it takes to stimulate economic growth. When elected I will work to reduce taxes and fees, cut regulations, and get government out of the way of job creators.

Fight Illegal Immigration and Defend our Border

As a combat veteran, I have dedicated my life to the protection of our nation and realize the importance of securing our border. I will fight to ensure illegal immigrants never find safe harbor in Florida.

Defend our 2nd Amendment Rights

Having seen firsthand the effect of oppressive regimes, I understand the right to keep and bear arms is essential to protecting a free society and I will always protect our inalienable rights.

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General Election

The winner of the Republican Primary will advance to the Nov. 3 General Election and face the following candidate:

Candidate name:

Joshua Lopez

Seat sought/district: Florida House of Representatives District 77

Party: Democratic Party

Age: 34

Education/degrees:

JD: Florida State University; BA: University of Florida; Diploma, Fort Myers High School

Occupation and place of employment: Attorney at Fort Myers Law Firm, P.A.

Time in the district in which you are running; years of residency in Lee County: District 77 resident since 2016 (and 1998-2013); Lee County resident since 1992

Business or professional experience applicable to the office you are seeking:

Attorney licensed by the Florida Bar since 2010

Political Experience/offices held: None – first time candidate

Civic/Community involvement: Member of Cape Coral Democratic Club since 2018

Family: Wife, Ashley; daughter, Michelle; parents, Jorge and Carmen Lopez who live in Cape Coral, one brother and one sister.

Military Experience: None.

Website: joshualopez.vote

Candidate positions at a glance:

Why are you running?

The divisive rhetoric spouted by our national and state leaders is too much. Florida has had 20 years of one-party rule, resulting in a state government that only listens to special interests and is not interested in solving the problems Florida faces. I am running to provide a voice for all the people of my district and to provide solutions instead of the same talking points of the past 20 years.

Planks of your platform:

The Environment

Making polluters pay for carbon emissions

Making the Sunshine State the world leader in solar power

Cracking down on polluted runoff that causes red tide and cyanobacteria

The Economy

Supporting free markets

Expanding economic opportunities for all

Making the economy work for workers and small business

Education

Supporting public schools, teachers, and school workers

Making schools safe for students, teachers, and staff

Health Care

Expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act

Implementing a state-level public option

Justice

Legalization of recreational marijuana

Stopping discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

Reforming the police with a focus on public safety

Change

Stopping big government in Tallahassee from butting into local matters

Ending two decades of one-party rule

Top three issues:

Climate Change: Make polluters pay for their carbon emissions. Expand renewable energy generation.

Water Quality: Stronger restrictions on agricultural runoff, funding research into health effects of red tide and cyanobacteria, and supporting local governments’ efforts to mitigate water pollution

Health Care: Expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act and implement a state-level public option

* All biographical information has been provided by the candidates.