Showing Up for Racial Justice SWFL e-mailed all candidates for Collier County Board of Commissioners a questionnaire on issues relating to racial justice. (To see candidate responses from other races on the ballot in Southwest Florida, click here.)

Responses were received from:

David A. Turrubiartez Jr. (Democrat - District 5 candidate)

The following candidates in this primary race did not respond:

Mart Batchelor (Republican - District 1 candidate)

William Douglas (Republican - District 1 candidate)

Rick LoCastro (Republican - District 1 candidate)

Raymond Christopher (No Party Affiliation - District 5 candidate)

William McDaniel Jr. (Republican - District 5 candidate)

Mike Petscher (Republican - District 5 candidate)

Below are the responses from David A. Turrubiartez Jr. to our questionnaire.

1. Do you support the Movement for Black Lives?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

Black lives matter. This needs to be said and changes need to happen.

2. Are you committed to identifying and eliminating racial disparities within the jurisdiction or scope of the elected office for which you seek?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

3. Investments in social services and community programs consistently have shown to reduce poverty and crime. Do you support reducing the budgets of law enforcement agencies and reallocating funds to social services and community programs?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

4. Do you support efforts for increased accountability and public transparency for law enforcement officers who engage in improper policing, excessive and deadly use of force, and other instances of brutality against citizens?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

5. In instances of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death or injury of a civilian, do you support an independent agency unaffiliated with local law enforcement to investigate these instances, with the authority to bring charges against an officer if use of excessive force is determined?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

This needs to be universal. It is common sense.

6. Do you support an end to qualified immunity for law enforcement officers?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

7. Do you support efforts to remove armed law enforcement officers from schools, as well as armed teachers and staff, and instead hire more counselors and mental health professionals to serve students?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Decline to answer

I would have to see more information before making a decision.

8. The cash bail system keeps more than 70% of people charged, but not convicted, for a crime in local jails for several weeks or months due to an inability to afford bail. This disproportionately affects people of color and poorer folks. Do you support efforts to eliminate or reform the cash bail system?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

9. Do you support increasing funding to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as well as mental health services and court diversion programs that prioritize mental health and treatment for addiction over incarceration?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

10. Do you support efforts to address the rising cost of housing by working with federal, state and local agencies to build more affordable housing for renters and homeowners?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

11. Do you support a $15 minimum wage and labor policies including fair scheduling and paycheck fairness protections?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Decline to answer

I support a $10 minimum wage, but not $15 for Florida.

12. Do you support efforts to provide relief for student loan debt and to make some public colleges and universities tuition-free?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

13. Do you support efforts to provide universal Pre-K education for all young children?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

14. Do you support the decriminalization of marijuana for recreational use?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

15. Do you support the removal of objects glorifying the Confederacy from public spaces?

Turrubiartez Jr.: Yes

For more information about the candidate:

David A. Turrubiartez Jr.