Largo voters face redistricted House race

Largo residents are entering the final week before the November 3 general election. The U.S. District Court of North Florida recently upheld a new map for the 12th congressional district. This decision followed lower court strikes and was quickly signed into law by the governor. The change has reshaped the race for the U.S. House seat in that district.

Kimberly Overman is running for the redistricted 12th congressional district. She will be among two candidates sharing their campaign pitches on local airwaves. The other candidate is Kimberly Coward, who is seeking a seat on the Pasco County School Board. Coward is running in District 1. Only three of the five school board seats are up for election this year due to a staggered schedule.

Former President Barack Obama has returned to the campaign trail to support Democrats. He spoke in Michigan over the weekend. His involvement aims to energize voters before Election Day. International elections are also influencing the local political mood. Incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won re-election in Brazil. Student movements in Serbia and Hungary have toppled entrenched governments. A youth movement in India is challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

October is designated as cybersecurity awareness month. The U.S. government initially created a tool for military use that is now available to the public. It is called The Onion Router, or TOR. The system was designed to allow users to surf the internet without being detected. While useful for privacy, the dark web has become a place for various activities, including drug dealing and human trafficking.

Sean Kinane, the News and Public Affairs Director, invited candidates to share their messages with voters. He hosts a segment exclusively for these campaign pitches. The broadcast includes a documentary on the origins of the dark web. The show is scheduled to bring results and analysis on Tuesday, November 3. Candidates have one week left to campaign before polls close.