Candidates For Congressional Representative District One Seat Appear at Chamber and Advocates Candidate Forum

The Pensacola Beach Chamber and Pensacola Beach Advocates partnered on August 3 to bring local, state and federal candidates to the Beach Church for a candidates’ forum. Here are the comments, consolidated for brevity from the US Congressional Representative District 1 Republicans: Douglas Chico and John Frankman; Democrat Gay Valimont, NPA Tyler Davis

Q: Please introduce yourself.

Tyler Liana Davis: I’m Tyler Liana Davis, a no-party-affiliated candidate, sixth-generation Pensacolian, finance professional, founder of the nonprofit Pensacola Perspective, mother and community volunteer focused on listening, civic engagement, and strengthening families and neighborhoods.

Gay Valimont: I’m Gay Valimont, a three-time candidate for Florida’s First Congressional District, local resident and community advocate focused on representation, affordability, healthcare, veterans’ needs, and protecting our beaches.

John Frankman: Emphasizes fighting for Northwest Florida values, veterans, cutting the federal deficit, protecting civil liberties, and holding government accountable; criticizes current rep for not living in the district.

Douglas Chico: Sixth‑generation local, Naval Academy graduate, vows to defend gun rights, secure the border, codify Trump policies, oppose mass surveillance, and fight for future generations.

Q: What types of infrastructure projects for the beach would you support and fight for federal dollars to complete?

Douglas Chico: Wants more federal dollars for infrastructure, address Highway 90 safety, tie development to supporting infrastructure, and criticize no‑show incumbent.

John Frankman: Favors limited federal government but will pursue federal funds when appropriate—bridge/parking improvements, beach renourishment, and coordination with state and local officials, especially tying projects to military needs.

Tyler Liana Davis: Prioritize projects driven by local needs: updated parking, traffic management, and technology-enabled solutions to handle seasonal tourism and improve access while reflecting resident input.

Gay Valimont: Safety and capacity upgrades—specifically a pedestrian bridge across Via de Luna and expanded parking (adding a level at Casino Beach)—and pursuing federal funds to deliver these concrete solutions.

Q: Are there federal dollars available for mass-transit solutions to address traffic and parking, and would you support using them?

Gay Valimont: Yes—funding from the federal infrastructure bill and other sources remains available; we need a representative willing to secure those dollars and bring them home. A Tyler Liana Davis: Yes; I have experience winning grants and would proactively pursue federal infrastructure and technology grants to modernize transit, parking, and related systems.

John Frankman: Will work with state/local reps to pursue transportation funding, tie funding to military bases and veteran communities, but favors more local control over time. Douglas Chico: Supports investing in infrastructure, preserving national parks, balancing growth with safety, and leveraging his networks to get projects done.

Q: A New York-based company applied for permits for an industrial-scale fish farm 20 miles off Pensacola Beach. What are your views?

Douglas Chico: Supports growth and jobs, prefers placing industry to reduce congestion, offers tax incentives to attract employers and veterans, and emphasizes local incentives. John Frankman: Prefers Florida‑based companies; would coordinate with governor and state reps and ensure any federal support benefits Northwest Floridians.

Tyler Liana Davis: I’d require careful review of their operations, environmental impacts, and local economic benefits; prioritize sustainable management and coordinate with local nonprofits and experts before approving anything.

Gay Valimont: I’d research potential impacts and benefits; I’m open to new industry if it demonstrably helps the community and does not harm local ecosystems.

Q: How do you plan to protect the Gulf and Florida from offshore drilling?

Gay Valimont: I oppose drilling and fracking, citing risks shown by past spills; I’ll put opposition in writing and work to prevent drilling in the Gulf.

Tyler Liana Davis: I oppose offshore drilling and support transitioning toward renewable, sustainable energy sources to protect the environment.

John Frankman: Prioritizes protecting the Eastern Gulf testing range—oppose drilling, extend restrictions, protect military testing and the environment; wary of environmental risks from AI data centers.

Douglas Chico: Emphasizes conservation, tackling forever chemicals and microplastics, and smart regulations to protect local health without unduly restricting growth.

Q: What do you see as the most pressing issue before the federal government in the next congressional session?

Douglas Chico: Affordability—tackle spending, incentivize local hiring (especially veterans), support small farmers, reform incentives like ethanol, and spur local job growth. John Frankman: Affordability tied to paying down the $40 trillion federal debt—shrink federal government, protect civil liberties (oppose mandates and intrusive surveillance), and restore accountability.

Tyler Liana Davis: The federal budget (and education funding) is paramount—responsible prioritization of spending and ensuring funds benefit local communities and services.

Gay Valimont: Affordability—framed as HUG: Housing, Utilities, Gas, and Groceries—exacerbated by global events; addressing cost-of-living pressures, healthcare affordability, and veterans’ services is urgent.

Q: Closing — Why should voters support you?

Tyler Liana Davis: I’ll listen, stay accessible, pursue practical grants and solutions, and work across differences to strengthen families, infrastructure, and opportunities for the next generation.

Gay Valimont: I prioritize affordability, healthcare access, veterans’ care (securing a full-service VA Hospital), environmental protection, and hands-on local representation—reach out and talk with me.

John Frankman: Reiterates focus on veterans, reducing federal deficit, protecting civil liberties, accountability in government, and representing Northwest Florida values. Douglas Chico: Reiterates anti‑surveillance stance (Flock), commitment to civil liberties, fighting for future generations, supporting the president while defending constitutional rights, and asking for local support.