Scott Plakon

Scott Plakon
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 29th district
Assumed office
November 18, 2014
Preceded by Mike Clelland
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 37th district
In office
November 18, 2008 – November 20, 2012
Preceded by David H. Simmons
Succeeded by Richard Corcoran
Personal details
Born (1959-03-13) March 13, 1959
Rochester, New York
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Susie Plakon
Children Jeanne, Timothy, John, Jamison, David, Erica
Alma mater Stetson University (B.S.)
Profession Publisher
Religion Christian

Scott Plakon (born March 13, 1959) is a Republican politician who currently serves as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 29th District, which includes parts of Heathrow, Lake Mary, Longwood, and Sanford in western Seminole County, since 2014, previously representing the 37th District from 2008 to 2012.

History

Plakon was born in Rochester, New York, and attended Arcadia High School in Greece, but moved to the state of Florida to attend Stetson University in 1977, where he graduated with a degree in psychology in 1981. After graduation, he started a publishing company that provided universities with telephone directories, eventually founding The Claims Pages, a publication for insurance claims adjusters.

Florida House of Representatives

In 2008, incumbent State Representative David H. Simmons was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, so Plakon ran to succeed him in the 37th District, which included parts of Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Longwood, and Winter Park in Orange County and Seminole County. Plakon was opposed by Timothy Moriarty in the Republican primary, but he defeated him easily, winning 69% of the vote. He was unopposed in the general election, and again when he ran for re-election in 2010. In 2012, Plakon, a supporter of legislation that submitted welfare recipients to drug testing, appeared on The Daily Show, where correspondent Aasif Mandvi interviewed him about his support. During interview, Mandvi challenged Plakon to take a drug test, which he declined to do, and to support legislation requiring that state legislators pass a drug test, which he also declined to do.[1]

Following the 2012 redistricting, Plakon was moved into the same legislative district as fellow State Representative Chris Dorworth, and, to avoid a contentious primary, opted to run for re-election in the 30th District, where he did not live.[2] Plakon won the Republican primary unopposed, and advanced to the general election, where he faced teacher Karen Castor Dentel, the Democratic nominee, in a general election full of political differences. Plakon, for instance, campaigned on his opposition to abortion and his support for the controversial "parent trigger" legislation and a constitutional amendment "that would allow the state to give taxpayer money to religious organizations," while Castor Dentel took opposite positions.[3] Castor Dentel was endorsed by the Orlando Sentinel over Plakon, which criticized him for putting "too much of his energy into ideological crusades" and for "hoping voters overlook his right-wing record."[4] Ultimately, Plakon lost his bid for re-election, receiving only 47% of the vote to Castor Dentel's 53%.

In 2014, rather than seek a rematch with Castor Dentel, Plakon moved into the 29th District, challenging State Representative Mike Clelland, a Democrat. He won the Republican primary uncontested, and faced Clelland in the general election. The Sentinel once again endorsed Plakon's opponent, praising Clelland for his "valuable insight" and for making "ethics reform his signature issue." They praised Plakon for being a "productive legislator," but condemned the fact that he "put too much effort into polarizing issues like abortion and state aid to religious institutions."[5] In the end, Plakon defeated Clelland handily, scoring 57% to the incumbent's 43%.

References

  1. ↑ "Daily Show airs story with footage of Aasif Mandvi asking Gov. Rick Scott to pee in a cup". Tampa Bay Times. February 3, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  2. ↑ Klas, Mary Ellen (March 27, 2012). "Redrawn Senate map passes House, scramble for seats begin". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  3. ↑ Garcia, Jason (October 26, 2012). "HD 30 race is competitive, costly". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  4. ↑ "In House Districts 29, 30". Orlando Sentinel. October 11, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Our picks for Legislature, part 2: Editorial". Orlando Sentinel. October 15, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
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