The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB), a nonpartisan public policy group of the Catholic Church, has formed the Candidate Questionnaire Project to help citizens discern difficult topics that are up for consideration in election. 

“Knowing where the candidates stand on matters concerning human life and dignity and the advancement of the common good is essential to responsible faithful citizenship,” FCCB stated in a release. 

Every candidate for the U.S. Congress and the Florida Legislature is able to participate in the project and share their views on current topics. Candidates also have the ability to include more in-depth comments about their answers to ensure that they have been given the opportunity to fully explain their stance. 

The Candidate Questionnaire Project is prepared and approved by the Florida bishops, which is then used in publications throughout parishes and dioceses. 

The responses from candidates are posted either in lists of candidates on the primary and general election ballots or primary election candidates in table format organized by diocese. 

“Surveys or polls by outside organizations are not approved for distribution by Church entities unless prior approval has been granted by the local diocesan bishop or the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops,” FCCB stated. 

Participants include Florida House candidates Phil Ehr (D), Adam Christensen (D), Donna Deegan (D), John H. Rutherford (R), Al Lawson (D), Jim Kennedy (D), William P. Olson (R), Kimberly Walker (D), Christine Y. Quinn (R), Cindy Lyn Banyai (D), Byron Donalds (R), Greg Musselwhite (R), Jim Pruden (R), Carla Spalding (R), Lavern Spicer (R) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R). 

Florida Senate respondents include Karen M. Butler (D), Jennifer Bradley (R), Heather Hunter (D), Jason Brodeur (R), Joshua Eli Adams (R), Mike James (no party affiliation), Louis T. Minnis Jr. (R), Victor M. Torres Jr. (D), Scot Fretwell (D) and Phillip Snyder (no party affiliation).