We have two Republican candidates running for County Commissioner District 5. I know very little about the person running for reelection, Mike Greenwell, and it’s not for a lack of trying. Early on, I repeatedly offered Commissioner Greenwell the opportunity to come and speak at one of our Southwest Florida Business Alliance meetings, and the publisher of The Roar offered him monthly article space to share all that he was doing for us, his constituents. After multiple attempts at outreach, we were ultimately told via his assistant: “Commissioner Greenwell said he would reach out to you if he is able to speak or write.” You’ll be shocked to learn that he never found the time to speak or write even once in the past two and a half years.
Amanda Cochran is Greenwell’s primary opponent. Amanda’s from Alva, and like a lot of us, she doesn’t like how we’re being represented or the direction Lee County is headed. A trait I find admirable in Amanda is that she initially had no interest in public office, but seeing no one else stepping up, she jumped right into the ring. Running for office is hard and, at times, downright ugly, and Amanda is getting a firsthand education in that reality. Regardless, she’s a fighter and is just getting started. People like Amanda Cochran, who have no interest in becoming career politicians, I believe, are a big part of the solution Lee County needs. We can’t keep electing the same people, year after year, and expect anything to change. I believe Amanda embodies what future government leadership should be. She’s interested in us, not advancing her agenda. I want to think that as a businessman, I’ve developed a good sense of who people are, and I genuinely like Amanda Cochran. I encourage you to check out her website and her speaking schedule to find out for yourself. This lady is all over Lee County because the current voting system makes Amanda campaign all over Lee County to win. So, she’s covering a lot of ground and will likely speak in your neighborhood soon. Go and listen to her and, by all means, ask some questions to see where she stands on things. I’m over someone representing me who’s not interested in what I care about. My experience has been that Greenwell seems to fall squarely in that category, and I believe Amanda Cochran does not. To me, Amanda Cochran is the best candidate for County Commissioner District 5 because, unlike the incumbent, she wants to hear your voice and will fight for you. What a refreshing change that would be!
Butch Swank
