Good People for Good Government: Leslie Waters

“If you want good government you need good people.”

That's the mantra of Leslie Waters, Seminole City Council member and former speaker pro tempore of the State House who is running for Dennis Jones District 13 Senate seat against House majority whip Jim Frishe in the Republican primary.

“After you leave you pass the gauntlet onto the next guy,” Waters said, pointing out the irony because “no sooner do you learn to negotiate the political waters, your term is up.” District 13 covers much of Western Pinellas including the beach communities, which she feels need to be touted for their contribution to generating tourism. 

“You have no idea what it takes to run a campaign,” said Waters who has been in the political arena in various capacities for years. Her stint as speaker pro tempore was during the Jeb Bush/Alan Bense years. Even though people pegged Bush as being heavy handed. “Jeb has a silly side,” she said. 

Waters brings to the political table a sincere desire to promote the democratic process, both locally and internationally. “Countries approach democracy in varied ways. France has a different democracy. India is the largest democracy,” she pointed out.

In 2004 at a conference in Indonesia organized by the International Republican Institute she expounded to newly elected Hindu, Muslim and Christian men and women on “How to be an Effective Elected Official.”

Her scrapbook contains photos of her “Campaigning to Win” Workshop last year in the Mideast for Egyptian women running for parliament.  In the photos some women were wearing scarves, Waters was not. Those who chose not to wear head attire told Waters “it was between them and God.”

Waters teaches Urban Politics and Government at the University of South Florida where she invites community leaders and elected officials to speak to her students. They also take field trips to places like St. Petersburg City Hall. 

The students are paying attention it seems; during a lecture by a visiting politician on a proposed public project, Waters cited one student asking, “Does this come out of our tax money?” 

Her next campaign Fundraiser is Friday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. At the Richard & Evelyn Jerger Building in Pinellas Park, 7785 66^th Street.