Environmental expertise gives Overdorf edge in District 83 Republican primary | Our view

Treasure Coast Newspapers Editorial Board | Treasure Coast Newspapers

Editor's note: TCPalm's Editorial Board experienced technical difficulties during the Florida House 83 candidate interview so the video is broken into two parts. Scroll down to watch the rest of the interview.

RACE: Florida House District 83, Republican primary

TERM: 2 years

CANDIDATES:

Sasha Dadan, Port St. Lucie

Toby Overdorf, Palm City

KEY ISSUES: Water quality, including Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River restoration; gun laws; taxes and economy

RECOMMENDATION: The two Republican candidates vying to replace term-limited state Rep. Gayle Harrell share a broad swath of philosophical common ground.

Dadan, a criminal defense and family attorney, and Overdorf, an environmental consultant, both stand by Harrell's track record in the Florida House. Each gave her an "A" for her performance in the office they're seeking.

Both candidates also want less-strict gun laws. Dadan and Overdorf say state lawmakers went too far when they raised Florida's minimum age for gun purchases to 21 after this year's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

And, like most candidates on the Treasure Coast, both vow to be strong advocates for the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.

Dadan has a respectable resume, including work as a public defender in the 19th Judicial Circuit and representing victims of domestic violence for SafeSpace. She now owns a law practice handling mostly criminal cases and family law.

Overdorf has the edge in terms of environmental expertise. He has a graduate degree in biology and founded the environmental services firm Crossroads Environmental, which represented some of the region's largest development projects, including the Floridian and Tesoro.

MORE: Why does TCPalm's Editorial Board recommend candidates?

"I founded my company on the philosophy that the environment and the economy are not mutually exclusive," Overdorf said during an interview with our editorial board.

If Overdorf uses his credentials to curtail pollution and accelerate critical restoration projects, it could be a difference-maker for District 83, where toxic algae has plagued the St. Lucie River following this summer's discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

That said, we're not naive about Overdorf's connections in business and development circles. If elected, it will be important for him to prioritize honest advocacy of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon — even if it means occasionally ruffling feathers in the business community.

MORE: Read about other races in TCPalm's 2018 election roundup

Overdorf distinguished himself with our editorial board when he questioned the wisdom of "deep injection wells," which have been proposed as a potential solution to Lake Okeechobee discharges. Dadan had mentioned the controversial method as an idea she would "want to look more into."

Overdorf said he's "not a fan."

"I think it's an unproven science at this point in time," he explained.

MORE: When will TCPalm's Editorial Board candidate recommendations publish?

The exchange was an example of how his scientific knowledge could help him in the Florida Legislature, where biologists are in short supply.

It also illustrates why Overdorf is the better candidate in the District 83 GOP primary.

The winner will face Democrat Matt Theobald in the Nov. 6 general election.

TCPalm’s candidate recommendations are decided collectively by its editorial board. Recommendations are based on nonpartisan criteria that prioritize the best candidates for our local community.