1. Shawn, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am happily married to my wife Vera, and have three stepchildren; Will, Elise and Trevor. Trevor is my nine-year-old stepson whom I refer to as my political advisor. He tells me what I need to know about everything and everybody.

From 1996 to 1998, I was an inner city high school teacher in South Central Los Angeles. This was one of the worst and most dangerous schools in the state. It would have been easier to teach at a school where "the sun came up every day," where there was no crime, use of drugs, or broken homes, but this would have bored me. I believe the challenge of teaching is to turn lives around. As a teacher, I formed a student court that received local acclaim and also served as an Impact Drug and Alcohol counselor. I also worked closely with members of the State of California Department of Corrections to promote prevention of juvenile crime and substance abuse. I loved teaching, but I still wanted to achieve my goal of becoming an attorney.

In 1998, I chose to attend Southern Illinois University, because I wanted to diversify my experience and live in the midwestern region of our country. In 2001, I graduated from the SIU School of Law. Following graduation, I served as a Certified Legal Intern and then as an Assistant State Attorney in northern Florida. This was a great experience as I enjoyed prosecuting criminals and fighting drugs.

In 2003, I moved to Fort Myers and became an Assistant Public Defender in both Charlotte and Lee Counties. I had spent some time in Lee County and fell in love with our beautiful beaches and waterways. As an Assistant Public Defender, I wanted to continue to gain courtroom experience and represent people who were voiceless and needed quality legal assistance. My experience in both prosecuting and defending people charged with crimes gives me an understanding and ability to provide leadership in the fight against crime and drugs.

In 2005, I went to work for Bergermann Law Firm where I met the lady who later became my wife, Vera Bergermann. The firm later became the Bergermann & Seliger Law Firm where my wife remains the sole share-holder for the firm.

Shortly after moving to Fort Myers, I became actively involved in numerous civic and legal organizations. I was elected Vice Chairman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee and served as its Ethics, Bylaws and Compliance Subcommittee Chairman from 2004-2006. I am privileged to sit on numerous non-profit boards, including the American Cancer Society, Lee Mental Health Center, Voices for Kids of Southwest Florida and AFCAAM. Through my involvement as a volunteer in the community, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people in our community who are willing to work for the better-good and to build consensus and achieve positive results for a wide variety of causes within our local area.

2. Shawn, what made you decide to run for Lee County Commission District 5?

I want to provide new ideas and strong leadership on behalf of residents to help make Lee County better. The county government needs to take meaningful steps to reduce spending and lower our tax burden. Unlike the incumbent, I understand that people are hurting. Our economy is struggling and families are having a hard time making it right now. We need to get our economy moving again.

My other goals are to improve transportation and strengthen our infrastructure; ensure that growth is smart and responsible; make certain that law enforcement has the necessary resources and support to keep our families safe; and strive to build consensus on the Lee County Commission while always fighting for the rights of our residents.

3. What sets you apart from other candidates?

We need a county commissioner who is committed to meaningful change to improve our quality of life and make Lee County better. Throughout my life, I have dealt with issues that affect the daily lives of people and have often had to solve complex problems by working with diverse interests and building consensus.

4. What are your top priorities?

1) Reducing county spending and lowering our tax burden;
2) Seeing that the growth in Lee County is controlled, smart and responsible;
3) Improving our natural environment.

5. Voters seem very concerned with the issues of taxes and government spending. What do you propose as the solution?

Government needs to control spending. Philosophically, I believe that local government can do more with less. The Board of County Commissioners should limit the rate of growth in the budget of the general revenue fund to no more than the sum of the rate of inflation and population growth, (unless an extraordinary circumstance occurs, such as a hurricane).

6. What can the BOCC do to help improve the economy and the real estate market in Lee County?

We need to control government spending and lower our property tax burden. We also need to work toward eliminating any duplication of services that may exist in government. I would also like to see the tripling of the commercial road impact fees repealed. This will help stimulate economic growth and send an important psychological message to the construction industry that local government understands that the industry and people are struggling and that we want to be part of the solution, not continue to be a part of the problem. We need to have someone who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get to work for Lee County residents. I am that candidate.

7. Do you think new voices and fresh thinking are critical to implementing the necessary changes to make Lee County better?

Yes, I do. I understand that we need to have substantive and meaningful change to make Lee County better. If we continue doing what we have been doing, we will never be better off than we are today.

8. Let's change gears a moment. How is the campaign progressing?

The campaign is going very well. I have attended countless community events and have shaken thousands of hands since I announced my candidacy on July 9, 2007. I recently attended a Fort Myers Beach Town Council debate, and I had the opportunity to speak. A resident thanked me for pledging to appear at least twice per year before each municipal city council, so I can listen to and address the concerns of the residents and municipal city council members. Taking this approach to enhance communication between the Board of Lee County Commissioners and local municipal city councils is one of the things which I will actively pursue after my election.

9. Fundraising is a critical part of all campaigns. How is your fundraising progressing?

I am fortunate and humbled to have over 400 campaign donors that represent all walks of life. The support that I have received is broad and diverse. It represents different segments of Lee County. All of my donors are listed on my campaign website.

10. Have you been endorsed/supported by any political action committees
or unions?

Yes, I have. I am honored to be supported by the Florida Professional Firefighters Association, the Southwest Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics International Association of Firefighters Local 1826, Families for Cape Coral's Future, the Lee Building Industry Association, Teachers United for Better Schools, Committee Supporting Utilities and Commerce and Citizens for Housing and Urban Growth. These groups have joined the growing group of campaign supporters that embrace my message to make Lee County better. I am deeply honored and humbled to have their confidence and support.

11. When is the election and who can vote?

The election to be held on August 26, 2008 is a primary and is "at-large," which means that if you are a registered Republican, regardless of where you live in Lee County, you can vote for me.

12. You are required by law to live in your chosen district by the time the election to be held in November is certified. Why don't you live in District 5 now?

We have wanted to live in District 5 for some time. Our home has been, and continues to be, listed for sale. Like so very many others in Lee County, we're having trouble selling. However, either way, we will relocate before the November election is certified so that we will comply with the law. Let me just add, I fully expect my opposition to call me a carpetbagger and all sorts of other petty political charges. However, I think the voters of Lee County are sophisticated enough to know these two things:
1) The incumbent is not providing the necessary leadership taxpayers deserve.
2) Artificial boundaries of a district line don't disqualify someone from being a leader. Furthermore, everyone in the county is eligible to vote in the District 5 race.

13. So, are you a sports fan?

I am a huge sports fan and I make it a point to try to catch a game whenever I travel. I closely follow professional baseball, basketball and football. Over the last year, I have not had as much time as I would have liked to catch a game in person or on television. I usually have a sports broadcast in the background while I am working in my home office.

14. What is the last book you read?

Winning the Future by Newt Gingrich.

15. What is your favorite type of food?

That's an easy one—Italian.

20. What is the achievement in your life of which you are the most proud?

Finding faith/religion and establishing a personal relationship with God.

21. Is there anything you regret or, perhaps, something you aren't so proud of?

Yes, indeed. Like everyone, I have regrets in my life. The difference is in how we manage things that don't go well. The biggest occurred in my youth, fifteen years ago. It was an issue with substances. Treatment in an outpatient program, fully recovered, and there was never a recurrence of the issue.

Part of being a leader is to admit when you make a mistake and to assume responsibility. This virtue is needed in Lee County government today. As a Lee County Commissioner, if I make a mistake, I will always admit to it and assume responsibility.

The second has to do with an inexperienced mistake regarding my law school application.

In 2001, I received a reprimand at law school for an unintentional technical mistake that I made in the admissions process.

In my application to Southern Illinois University School of Law, I disclosed that I attended the University of LaVerne College of Law from 1/94 to 12/94. However, I left the portion of the question blank when it asked whether or not I was eligible to re-enroll at that school. The question called for a "yes" or "no" answer. I did not know how to answer it within the context of my situation, because I sought to be completely truthful. At the close of the 1994 law school term, I was classified as being academically disqualified due to inadequate grades. However, I had the option to petition to seek a continuation of legal studies on academic probation. I did not pursue this avenue, because I wanted to become a teacher and turn students' lives around. I wasn't sure if I was eligible to re-enroll or not, because I never petitioned to continue my legal studies. However, since I was not sure, and did not want to answer without 100 percent certainty, I left the answer blank. If I had the situation to do over again, I would have contacted the school during the application process to assist me in answering the question. What I learned from this incident is that not everything in life is black and white. There is a lot of gray area and you have to learn to adjust to those things that do not fit into nice, neat little packages.

In any event, at the time I sought admission, I fully disclosed this matter and the substance issue to the Florida Bar. I was admitted unconditionally to the Florida Bar.

I also learned, when in doubt, ask questions; and never give up pursuing your dreams. Part of being a leader is to admit when you make a mistake and to assume responsibility. As a Lee County Commissioner, you're still a human being, and you'll make mistakes. But if I make a mistake, I will always admit to it, listen to the voters, and take corrective action.

23. So do you expect your opponent to make an issue about these things?

I would hope he would not, but he has a history of negative campaigning and some of the people on his campaign team are well known for their dirty campaign tactics. Certainly I am prepared for anything. It's an unfortunate part of politics but that's the way it is.

24. Will you go negative against your opponent?

No, I will not. Our goal is to educate voters. Educate them about how hard I am willing to work to solve some of the problems our residents are facing. Things like high taxes, traffic congestion, quality of life issues. I want them to know I will listen to them, and work to find the most viable long-term solutions. So many elected officials are only concerned with the short-term. That's why we have so many problems like traffic congestion - because nobody plans for the long-term. I will also work to educate voters about my opponent's record. He has raised taxes 53 times. He has made financial contributions to liberal Democrats like Bill Clinton and Al Gore. He's voted for a pay raise. He's voted against reducing property taxes. Those are very important facts about my opponent's record. That's not negative campaigning. Pointing these things out is important for voters to understand the differences between us and that they have a choice for a new direction and brighter future for a better Lee County.

25. Like so many other young people, you struggled with substance use when you were young. What did you learn from that experience?

This happened to me fifteen years ago, and there was never a recurrence of the issue. Overcoming struggles and challenges is an important part of life. I've learned things from both the good and the bad times that I have experienced. From my situation, I learned that even the strongest people can struggle with difficulties. I have shown leadership in this area by trying to assist others. While I was an inner-city school teacher in L.A., I served as a drug and alcohol counselor. As a teacher, I collaborated with the State of California Department of Corrections to help keep kids from getting involved with crime and drugs. Over the last few years, I have been privileged to serve on the Board of Directors for Lee Mental Health Center.

26. Do you have a criminal history?

No, not at all. I have never been arrested or convicted of any crime. However, like most people, I have received a driving/traffic ticket. I think my last traffic ticket was about ten years ago.

27. How did you like being a Prosecutor?

It was a great job and I enjoyed it tremendously. I always wanted to experience being a prosecutor. Seeking justice and standing up for victims was meaningful. I also found it rewarding to fight crime and drugs and to gain significant courtroom experience.

28. Why are you sharing this information?

I think that it is important to share this information with voters, so we can get beyond the politics of personal destruction and have a clear discussion about the issues and future of Lee County. The incumbent is notorious for having used negative campaign tactics in prior races. This race is about the issues facing the county and choosing the best candidate to promote real, meaningful change. We need to focus on the issues, such as reducing spending, lowering taxes, stimulating our economy, and improving transportation. The incumbent has shown a lack of energy and has failed to lead in these areas. The residents of Lee County deserve better.