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Susie Bishop is running for Supervisor of Elections

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published: Sunday, July 01, 2012

Bishop wants to increase voter education

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Susie Bishop is running for the position of Supervisor of Elections. She is a Highlands County native, born in Avon Park and raised in Sebring.

Bishop graduated from Sebring High School in 1981, earned an associate degree of arts in business from South Florida Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in organizational management from Warner Southern College in 1999. That same year she received a Florida teacher certificate in secondary business education.

Her experience crosses a wide spectrum.

With her husband Nick Bishop, she co-managed the family's dairy farm; then worked as a non-instructional clerk and elementary special education teacher with the school district; served as area director for United Way of Central Florida; was business development manager for Glades Electric; and most recently worked as business development manager for Atlanticblue Inc., Blue Head Ranch.

Her list of community service is long, including membership on a diverse list of boards from the Highlands Regional Hospital to the Sebring Raceway Hall of Fame to the Highlands County Economic Development Council.

One of her proudest moments, Bishop said, was being honored as Citizen of the Year in 2011 by the United Way of Central Florida.

Because of this variety of experience she added, "I have a broad understanding of what it is to be a leader and proven ability with management skills, education and customer service. I don't feel there is anyone with a broader wealth of experience and community.

"Granted, I haven't worked in the (supervisor of elections) office, but I have studied election law, met with poll workers and (Election Supervisor) Joe Campbell. I plan to meet with supervisors from Polk, Okeechobee, Hardee and Orange counties.

"Serving the public well, that's the key. Because of state and federal mandates there is no room for error."

She added that Campbell has done an excellent job, "running an efficient and well-organized office. There is no need to re-invent the wheel."

One of Bishop's goals is to expand voter education, excite interest and increase voter turnout.

"I will get out into secondary schools and SFCC," she said, "having registration drives and mock elections."

Bishop said her first priorities are knowing the law and running an efficient office.

"You have to stay neutral," she said. "You can't really have a personal opinion concerning a candidate's issues."

Regarding new space for the elections office, Bishop said it is needed. "It doesn't matter to me where it is," she said.

"(If elected) I will assist and help however I can, but the responsibility of the final decision belongs to the board of county commissioners.

"I will say I am fiscally conservative. These are financially hard times and regarding the building and staff, there will have to be restraints."

Having worked in private business, with local government agencies and knowing most of the county's leaders, Bishop said she has a well-rounded awareness of county issues.

"All that will contribute," she said, to her ability in fulfilling the position.