Affordability, agriculture top concerns for South Florida's District 22

LABELLE, Fla. (WINK)—Hendry County voters say agriculture, job opportunities and affordability are their biggest focuses as Florida's new Congressional District 22 takes shape.

The district spans from Marco Island through Hendry County over to the east coast in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The winning candidate will have to represent a lot of ground and diverse interests.

"What I love about here is that it's nice and quiet," said Elvira Pascual, owner of 360 Cafe. "It's a small town, very familiar. You know everybody."

Hendry County is one of four South Florida counties voting in the state's new 22nd Congressional District. Political expert Bethany Conrad from FGCU said voters face unique challenges in such a sprawling district.

"Voters in a lot of ways have to try to figure out how to make sure that their priorities for their communities are still heard," Conrad said. "Because in a district like this new District 22 there's a lot of different local priorities that are going to be competing for attention."

Hector Nunez and Pascual opened 360 Cafe in LaBelle about a year ago. Along with coffee orders, Nunez hears a daily dose of different perspectives.

"I think the most important what people really look for is for being able to pay their bills on time, being able to have economic opportunity and able to live in a safe area," Nunez said.

He said economic opportunity and jobs are top concerns for residents.

"There's not a lot of opportunities for people here to find employment, open a business," Nunez said. "It's still developing here, but I think that's like really one of the main issues that I see that people are telling me about."

Another hot topic is affordability. Pascual pointed to property taxes as a particular burden.

"I think that they are a little bit too high for, you know, most people that live on the small income that they have in here," Pascual said.

Nunez said some priorities in Hendry County may look different than in island communities or Florida's east coast. The area has a more rural character.

He hopes that's just as important to the future leader of District 22 as it is to his Hendry County family, friends and customers.

"Don't forget about us little people here, you know, that we're still trying to make it happen here in a small town like LaBelle," Nunez said.