After a contentious debate on Tuesday, business groups ripped Darryl Parks as an unserious candidate.

In a heated debate for Florida’s Senate District 3 seat, Democratic challenger Daryl Parks faced off against Republican incumbent Corey Simon, but the rhetorical duel only seemed to expose potential weaknesses in Parks’ campaign strategy and policy positions.

The debate, hosted by the Capital Tiger Bay Club at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, touched on crucial issues affecting the Big Bend region, including insurance reform, economic policy, and disaster recovery. While both candidates sparred over various topics, including abortion, observers noted that Parks struggled to articulate clear plans on several key issues.

One of the most glaring moments came when Parks was forced to backtrack on previous claims about Simon’s voting record. When directly questioned by Simon about the controversial six-week abortion ban, Parks admitted that his campaign ads were untrue. “You voted against it,” he acknowledged when directly confronted by Simon on the matter, contradicting his own campaign’s messaging.

Insurance reform, a critical issue for Florida businesses and homeowners, emerged as another area where Parks appeared less prepared. While Simon presented specific ideas, such as using catastrophe funds to insure insurance companies and potentially attract more providers to the state, Parks offered little in the way of concrete solutions.

Skylar Zander, Senior Advisor for Americans for Prosperity Action Florida, highlighted this disparity in a statement following the debate: “Today, Senator Simon demonstrated his proven record of representing the needs of Tallahassee in the Legislature. He is a stronger choice with a clear vision for Florida unlike Daryl Parks who does not offer serious solutions to our greatest challenges.”

The candidates also clashed over economic policies. Simon emphasized his work on balancing the state budget and providing tax relief, while Parks faced criticism for proposals that some argue could lead to tax increases during a period of high inflation.

On the topic of post-disaster recovery, Simon touted his experience in helping North Florida rebuild after recent storms. Parks, in contrast, focused more on criticizing proposals for state park amenities rather than outlining a comprehensive disaster response plan.

The debate also touched on the millions of dollars both campaigns have spent on attack ads, reflecting the high stakes of this race. District 3, which encompasses the entire Big Bend region, has flip-flopped between Republican and Democratic control in recent years, making it a key battleground in state politics.

As the November general election approaches, the debate has left voters with much to consider. While Parks presented himself as an alternative to the incumbent, questions remain about his readiness to tackle the complex policy challenges facing the district and the state at large.