Venice Gondolier: Why was I cut off at political forum?

Wednesday evening, the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum built around a promise printed right on its own flyer ... "Building informed voters through open, respectful dialogue."

I was given 90 seconds to explain why I am running for Congress in Florida's 17th District. Halfway through, a chamber member cut me off with two words, "That's enough."

Why was the chamber offended enough to cut me off? I spoke about the Constitution being trampled by the policies Greg Steube supports. I spoke about tariff taxes raising costs on Southwest Florida families, about a war in Iran that continued even after the House and Senate voted to stop it, about interest rates climbing, inflation creeping back, rising gas prices.

Then I noted that Congressman Steube was absent from the forum, just as he is absent from this district. That was the line that ended my time.

Voters deserve to hear candidates speak plainly, even when the message is uncomfortable. I am not running to make politicians comfortable. I am running to fight for the people of Southwest Florida, and I will keep speaking for them whether or not the microphone stays on.

Allen Spence

Babcock Ranch

Editor's Note: See related news story about this incident on Page A8 of today's Venice Gondolier.