Name: Barbara Sharief
Campaign website: Shariefforflorida.com
Date, place of birth: November 7, 1971. Miami, Florida
Education:
⦁ Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Wilkes University, 2017
⦁ Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Florida International University, 2000
⦁ Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) Certification, Florida International University, 2000
⦁ Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Florida International University, 1996
⦁ Associate of Science Degree (AS), Nursing, Miami-Dade Community College, 1994
⦁ Jackson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Diploma, 1992
⦁ North Miami Senior High School, Graduate, 1989
Occupation:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Healthcare Business Owner
Work history past 15 years. List in reverse chronological order.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, August 2000 to Present
Responsibilities: Primary Family Care
Doctor of Nursing Practice/ President/Owner- South Florida Pediatric Homecare Inc., July 2001 to 2022
Responsibilities:
Manage the daily operations of two multimillion-dollar home healthcare agencies.
In-depth knowledge of skills required in hiring and managing the appropriate staff within the agency.
Familiarity with complexities of cost-efficient decision-making and handling of resources.
Possession of technical proficiency in budget design and targeting health care grants and loans.
Competency in developing small businesses and a progressive visualization for creating jobs within the community.
Extensive background in pediatric, adult, medical surgical nursing, critical care, and management within the home health and healthcare industry
Have you been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, had an adjudication withheld, or had a matter sealed or expunged? If yes, please explain.
No
Have you been a plaintiff or defendant in a civil action, including bankruptcy or foreclosure, or had a restraining order issued against you? If so, please explain.
No
Why are you running for this office, and what specifically makes you a better candidate than your opponent(s)?
I want to put my education and experience to work serving the people of District 35 in Tallahassee, focusing on the issues important to our residents like access to quality healthcare, lower property insurance, affordable housing, social justice, voter rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, water resources, strengthening education, creating good paying jobs for our residents, reasonable gun legislation, and providing financial assistance to those who were permanently financially damaged by the COVID 19 pandemic.
What makes me better is my experience serving in elected office as a City Commissioner, City Vice Mayor, County Commissioner, and County Mayor. This gives me a unique perspective on solving the issues facing our state. I have been involved in Statewide matters for over 14 years, including serving as the President of the Florida Association of Counties. As a member of the 16-county coalition on water resources, I know the challenges we face with Broward’s aging water infrastructure. I have worked with Presidents and Governors to bring resources to Broward. For example, affordable housing, trade, tourism, small business support, and handling of the homeless crisis are just a few. My opponents have no experience, have never been elected to office, and one has resorted to publishing negative mailers with lies in them to try to win. They have no record to run on. I am running on the issues that matter to this community.
What are the three most important issues currently facing your legislative district?
⦁ Affordable Housing: Many residents struggle with the high cost of living and finding affordable housing options. Addressing housing affordability and increasing the availability of affordable homes is crucial for ensuring that all residents have a place to live.
⦁ Economic Development and Jobs: Creating job opportunities and fostering economic growth, particularly in underserved areas, are vital for the district’s prosperity. Efforts to attract businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and provide job training programs can significantly improve residents’ economic outlook.
⦁ Healthcare Access: Expanding access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, is a significant concern. Addressing disparities in healthcare delivery and ensuring that all residents have access to necessary medical services are essential for the community’s well-being.
After the 2024 session, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed all money for arts and cultural programs and projects, estimated at $32 million, to more than 600 organizations. Do you agree or disagree with this veto and why?
I strongly disagree with Governor DeSantis’ decision to veto the $32 million in funding for arts and cultural programs. This action strips our communities of valuable cultural and educational opportunities and undermines the economic benefits these programs bring. The arts are a powerful tool for education, expression, and community building, especially in marginalized communities where such programs can foster a sense of belonging and identity. The arts also have a significant economic impact. They create jobs, attract tourism, and stimulate local economies.
In the 2024 session, the Legislature passed a major change to Florida’s ethics law (SB 7014), requiring a complainant to have personal knowledge of the facts of a case. Would you have voted for or against this law and why?
I would have voted against SB 7014. This law also eliminates the ability to file complaints anonymously, which is particularly concerning. Allowing citizens to file anonymous complaints is crucial because it can protect individuals from potential retaliation. Such restrictions could deter people from coming forward with valid concerns, reducing overall accountability.
In the 2024 case, the Legislature passed a law (HB 1365) prohibiting homeless people from sleeping in public spaces. Would you have voted for or against the law, and why?
I also would have voted against this legislation, which effectively criminalizes the act of sleeping or camping in public spaces, which is not only cruel and inhumane but also fundamentally misguided. By penalizing our most vulnerable citizens for their mere existence in public spaces, we are not solving the crisis of homelessness; we are exacerbating it. Homelessness should not be a crime. We must focus on finding and adequately funding solutions: increasing affordable housing, expanding mental health services, and strengthening the social safety net.
Should state abortion laws include exceptions for rape, incest, or human trafficking, and why?
YES!!! First, I believe that everyone should have the right to decide if and when they wish to have a baby. The personal right to bodily autonomy and the right to privacy should be the floor, not the ceiling. People who are survivors of rape, incest or human trafficking should never be forced to carry a baby to term, nor should they bear the burden of having to prove that was the case. Additionally, there’s not one law that stops a man from having a vasectomy, which is a form of planned parenting, so why are there so many laws that prohibit a woman’s bodily autonomy? Make it make sense!
Do you support or oppose a proposed “open carry” or “constitutional carry” law for Florida and why?
I strongly oppose the idea of ‘open carry’ or ‘constitutional carry’ laws in Florida. It would be completely dangerous to people everywhere and to law enforcement. Less regulation of guns would only make us less safe; it would make it more difficult to identify active shooters and has the real danger of rapidly escalating to a wild, wild west shootout scenario. As a survivor of gun violence, I know the devastation it causes, and gun violence is becoming too frequent in America.
What additional measures do you support to address Florida’s property insurance crisis?
I believe there should be a cap on the annual premium increases that insurance carriers can charge homeowners. In some instances, right now, they are raising rates by as much as 50%. If there are no claims, there should be no reason to increase rates in every area of Florida.
Additionally, we need to guarantee that insurers provide affordable policies for Florida homeowners. This would require that the state enable the expansion of Citizens to spread the risk, which would require massive financial support from the state.
Describe in detail one demographic, economic or social factor about your legislative district that sets it apart from all others.
Senate District 35 stands out for its Black and Hispanic communities, which are currently facing increasing challenges due to rising living expenses, especially in housing and insurance.
The cornerstone of my campaign has been implementing a Social Justice Reform Plan to address these deep-rooted issues. By tackling the causes of social inequalities, we aim to bring about significant changes. Key aspects of this plan include creating job opportunities and improving access— measures that can help reduce youth incarceration rates and improve the overall welfare of our community. I am dedicated to empowering our minority communities as their progress is crucial for achieving fairness and prosperity across our district.
