Florida’s pool industry is rallying behind one of its own — Michelle Graham, a Republican candidate for State House representative and herself a longtime pool professional.
Graham is the president and owner of Siesta Pebble, a Pebble Tec applicator serving Southwest Florida. She’s running for State House District 79 a full year ahead of the election on a platform of low taxes, balanced budgets and a strong economy.
“The key to Southwest Florida — the key to the state of Florida — is entrepreneurship,” said Graham, who lives in North Fort Meyers. “And small businesses are the backbone, especially construction and tourism.”
Graham is campaigning on several issues important to the pool and spa trade — among them, workers compensation. Rates jumped 14.5 percent last year, a painful increase for many employers in the injury-prone construction industry. While there is an effort underway to decrease those rates, Graham wants to protect business owners from more increases.
A shrinking labor pool is another key concern, one that Graham believes trade schools could help address.
“We put all of this money into four-year universities … [but] not everyone is cut out for a four-year university, and we’re losing our workforce,” she said. “I’d love to steer some of that money to the trades.”
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She found herself at the helm of Siesta Pebble in 2012 after the passing of her mother, Rhonda Graham, who founded the firm in 1995. Under Michelle Graham, Siesta’s staff has doubled in size and continues to expand its reach in the region.
The first-time candidate, who has earned several honors as a local business leader, believes there needs to be more business-minded leaders guiding policy in Tallahassee.
“I’m not a politician, nor do I pretend to be one,” Graham said. “I’m a business owner. I know what it means to sign the front of the check, not the back of the check.”
The Florida Swimming Pool Association would like to have someone in the state capitol who understands the industry. The organization had planned to hold a fundraiser for Graham’s campaign, but it was postponed due to Hurricane Irma. FSPA believes that, too many times, laws are proposed with little knowledge of how they could impact the trade or the swimming public.
“Therefore, when pool issues come in front of the legislature, the hope is members will look to the elected official who has experience in the pool and spa industry,” said Jennifer Hatfield, FSPA’s government relations consultant. “This person may also get wind of an issue affecting the pool industry and can alert us.”
So far, there is only one other person, a Democrat, running for District 79, which encompasses Alva, Buckingham, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers Shores, North Fort Myers and Olga. Residents there tend to vote Republican.
Graham wouldn’t be the first person from the pool and spa industry elected to public office in the Sunshine State. Rep. Larry Ahern, a longtime FSPA member, is approaching the end of his eight-year term limit.
FSPA is urging its members to support officials who can champion the industry’s interests by donating to its Pool Industry Political Action Committee.
