Broadway Harewood wants Florida House District 109 residents to know that if elected, he intends to work for them — not political insiders or special interests.
Harewood, a businessman, community advocate and owner of the 305 Hip Hop Museum, said he has worked to redevelop and reinvest in Miami’s urban core since 1987. He is now running as a Democrat to represent District 109 in the Florida House.
“I’m running because I’m tired of the same old, same old,” Harewood said during an interview on the Can We Talk Podcast powered by Hy-Lo News.
Harewood said his campaign is centered on listening to residents and responding to their priorities. While candidates may enter office with their own plans, he said elected officials must remember that they work for the public.
“The first thing I’m going to do is make sure I hear from the people because I’ve got big ears,” Harewood said. “My priority may not be their priority, but since I work for them, I’ve got to do what they say.”
Creating jobs that pay enough for longtime residents to remain in their neighborhoods would be one of Harewood’s primary goals.
“The people who built this should not have to leave this,” he said.
Harewood is no stranger to Tallahassee. He said he has traveled to the state Capitol several times to advocate on issues affecting his community, including efforts to prevent the closure of inner-city public schools.
He also said he traveled to Tallahassee shortly before entering the race to advocate for legislation addressing what he described as unfair taxation affecting workers.
“They told me, ‘You’ve got to become a lobbyist,’” Harewood recalled. “I’m not going to become a lobbyist for that. My job is to make it right for people.”
Soon afterward, Harewood said he returned home, completed the required paperwork and entered the District 109 race.
“I came back from Tallahassee, filled out the paperwork, and now I’m in the race,” he said. “I’ve been serving our community as far back as I know, and I’ve got receipts to prove it.”
Harewood described the role of a state representative as listening to proposed laws, speaking on the House floor and helping constituents navigate problems with state government.
“My job is to make sure things go right for my constituents,” he said. “When they run into problems, come to my office, and I’m supposed to navigate them through those problems so they no longer have that problem.”
On housing affordability, Harewood said state lawmakers must do more to prevent residents from being priced out of their communities. He also called for limits on property insurance increases, arguing that previous reforms have not provided enough relief for homeowners.
“They should have put a cap on it, not just talked about it,” Harewood said. “If you keep tripling the people’s insurance, how does that even make sense?”
He questioned why homeowners who have paid premiums for decades could face cancellation after filing their first claim.
“Somebody has had insurance on their house for 40 years, and the first claim they do, you cancel them,” he said. “But it was OK for you to get that money for 40 years?”
Harewood said he would push for a cap on insurance increases before bringing insurers, homeowners and lawmakers together to discuss longer-term changes.
“It will be a cap as soon as I get there,” he said. “Cap it, and then let’s talk about how we can fix it.”
Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs would also be a priority. Harewood said residents often have strong business ideas but struggle to navigate government requirements or gain access to decision-makers.
“Make things feasible and cut all the red tape,” he said. “There are a bunch of people with a bunch of great ideas, but at the end of the day, if you’re not part of the inside circle, your idea or your plan will never be heard.”
Harewood criticized the influence of large political donors and special interests, saying elected officials can become obligated to the people who financed their campaigns instead of the residents they represent.
“Once you take the money, you’ve got to do what they say, too,” he said. “That favor ends up hurting our community.”
Although he is running as a Democrat, Harewood said he does not believe voters should support candidates solely because of their political party.
“I feel my party is wrong because they don’t support the people who support them,” Harewood said. “If the Democrat isn’t doing anything for you, let’s be honest with each other. Why should I keep supporting somebody who’s not supporting me?”
Harewood said he is prepared to work with Republicans, who control the Florida Legislature, to secure funding and pass legislation benefiting District 109.
“To talk to the other side — it’s not like I’m new to it,” he said. “As a businessman, you need to be able to see both sides of the table so you know what you can bring home.”
Harewood said he has already contacted Republican lawmakers and legislative leaders in preparation for what he expects will be a difficult political environment.
“I know it’s going to be an uphill battle, but I’m built for it,” he said.
On education, Harewood said parents should have the right to decide where their children attend school. However, he expressed concern about placing charter or private operators inside traditional public schools, pointing specifically to Miami Jackson Senior High School.
“Everybody should have a right to send their kid where they want them to go,” Harewood said. “But even the school I graduated from, Miami Jackson, now they’ve got a private school inside there. I don’t agree with that.”
Harewood said government leaders must also do more to address mental illness, which he believes has been neglected for decades.
“Mental illness is real,” he said. “A lot of people don’t understand it until you’re out here in these streets.”
He recalled meeting a child who had tape wrapped around his shoes because he feared a family member would steal them.
“No child should have to live like that,” Harewood said.
Harewood said his direct communication style may not appeal to the political establishment, but he does not intend to change it.
“It works for everybody else that’s looking for change,” he said. “But the establishment? That’s going to hurt me. I know that because it has before. But it’s OK. I’m willing to continue to do what I’ve been doing for my family and my community from day one.”
If invited back one year after taking office, Harewood said residents should hold him accountable for remaining accessible and fighting for the district.
“You can hold me to listening to my people and fighting to the death for my people,” he said. “Everybody in District 109 deserves better.”
Harewood said that commitment would not end if voters chose another candidate. He pledged to contact whoever wins and offer his assistance in addressing the community’s needs.
“If you need any help, I will assist you in any way I can because I’ve never been a sore loser,” he said.
Asked why District 109 residents should trust him with their votes, Harewood delivered a brief answer consistent with the straightforward style that defined his interview.
“Because I already have money,” he said. “I’m not going to go steal anything.”
Looking ahead, Harewood said District 109 could become a national example of community development if its leaders put residents first and work together.
“In 10 years, we will be out of debt,” he said. “Our community will be better than it has ever been because you’ve got to have the right pieces, and you’ve got to be willing to work with the people.”
For Harewood, he said, the campaign has never been about personal recognition.
“It’s never been about me,” he said. “It has always been about my community.”
__________
0 comments on “Broadway Harewood Says District 109 Needs Jobs, Affordable Housing and a Representative Who Listens”