District 108
Attorney
Former president of the Haitian Lawyers Association
First vice-chair, Miami-Dade Democrats
This post is part of our voter guide for the Aug. 28 local and primary elections. Head to the main landing page for a guide to the key races and decisions being made this election.
House District 108 runs north from 36th Street up to the Biscayne River area. It goes east from Northwest 17th Avenue toward Biscayne Bay. It includes areas like Liberty City, Little River, El Portal and Biscayne Park.
The seat is up again, after only two years, because of statewide redistricting in 2016.
Instead of a formal questionnaire we decided to share the candidates’ positions on a few key issues based on questions we received from you, our readers.
Dotie is an attorney with degrees from Yale and Georgetown Law who is making her first step into politics. She’s previously served as a deputy city attorney in North Miami Beach and is a former president of the Haitian Lawyers Association. She’s focused her campaign on issues like affordable housing, public safety and affordable health care.
Dotie’s opponents are Joseph Beauvil and Roy Hardemon.
Gun reform
She stated some of her views on her campaign Facebook page: “Preserving our right to bear arms and protecting the public are not mutually exclusive. It’s time to stop playing political games with gun safety. No one should be granted a concealed weapons permit unless a full background check has been completed. There are plenty of legal ways to buy a gun in Florida without any background checks…and that’s a big part of the problem.”
She also thinks there should be greater scrutiny of people with a history of domestic violence before they can purchase a weapon.
Crime prevention
In an appearance on the Drinks with Politicians podcast she said she wants to create more after school programming, more jobs and to boost economic opportunities for children to keep them from falling victim to or participating in crime and gun violence.
Environment
In an interview with the League of Women Voters she shared this: “We should proactively seek to preserve Florida’s coastlines, water and other natural resources. We can start by using state funds already earmarked for that purpose, which are currently being diverted for other uses.”
Criminal justice
She supports repealing the “Stand Your Ground” law.
Voter Restoration Act
We couldn’t find a public statement from the candidate on the issue.
Medical and recreational marijuana
We couldn’t find a public statement from the candidate on the issue.