Florida State House District 9: Political Candidate Clean Water Questionnaire –WWALS 2026-08-03

Here’s what candidates have to say about clean water, those running for Florida State Representative District 9: Allison Tant, Jibri Knight, and Tracy Robinson.

WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS) is conducting a Political Candidate Clean Water Questionnaire: #WWALSCleanWaterQuestionnaire

So far we have responses from all the candidates for this district, so that’s what we are reporting today.

If you are a candidate for state or national office in Florida this year, in the Suwannee River Basin, we sent you a questionnaire. If you didn’t get it, please let us know.

https://wwals.net/donations/contact/

Florida State House District 9, Political Candidate Clean Water Questionnaire, by WWALS 2026-08-03

Thus far, Water First North Florida (WFNF) does not seem popular among candidates.

https://wwals.net/issues/wnf

Nor does the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) in its current form.

Hyper-scale datacenters the candidates think at least need many constraints.

https://wwals.net/issues/datacenters

Right to Clean Water (RTCW) apparently needs more education of candidates.

https://wwals.net/issues/right-to-clean-water/

These candidates do favor having the State of Florida water quality testing all rivers.

https://wwals.net/issues/testing

Early voting for the primary starts this Saturday August 8, and Election Day is Tuesday, August 18, so we will be reporting answers for more districts whether all the candidates respond or not.

Our source for who is running is the Florida Department of State Candidate Tracking System.

https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/Index.asp

State Representative District 9

Includes Madison County and parts of Jefferson and Leon Counties.

Side by Side
Each Candidate
- Allison Tant, Incumbent, Democratic
- Jibri Knight, Republican
- Tracy Robinson, Republican
The Questions: WWALS Political Candidate Clean Water Questionnaire

State Representative District 9 by question (Side by Side)

Do you oppose Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes
Do you support a ban on transfers of water from one river basin to another?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes
Do you support seawater desalination for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes
Do you support potable reuse for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes
Do you support efforts to recharge the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and rivers that do not require massive engineering?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes
Do you support a water budget for north Florida, requiring water withdrawal permits to be limited or reduced when exceeded?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: To to understand this idea more
Tracy Robinson: Yes
What will you do to reform the Water Management Districts (WMDs)?

Allison Tant: And All of the above
Jibri Knight: I’d like to work to have a greater understanding of the issues the WMD boards are facing
Tracy Robinson: I will work to create a WMD board member recall mechanism and I will work to require all WMD board positions to be filled
Will you work to require hyper-scale datacenters

Allison Tant: I will work for a ban on hyper-scale datacenters
Jibri Knight: We should not do anything that could contaminate our soil or water
Tracy Robinson: Closed-loop/no untreated discharge/avoid burdening public systems.I support responsible technology growth, but hyper-scale data centers must not burden public water systems, energy infrastructure, or taxpayers
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)

Allison Tant: Both
Jibri Knight: I will work to modify BMAPs so they actually reduce nitrates and other contaminants leaching into rivers and streams
Tracy Robinson: I will work to modify BMAPs so they actually reduce nitrates and other contaminants. I will work to require and fund FDEP to enforce existing contamination laws.
What is your position on the rampant growth of population in Florida and its effect on our natural resources?

Allison Tant: Growth needs to be managed with environmental protection as a first stop.
Jibri Knight: Growth should be managed responsibly, with careful attention to its environmental impacts. We must be conscientious stewards of our natural resources while planning for the needs of our community
Tracy Robinson: Growth must pay for itself. Florida must expand water supply, protect natural resources through conservation programs like Florida Forever, and ensure new development helps fund the infrastructure it requires
What solutions do you offer to protect our springs from over-pumping and pollution from various sources?

Allison Tant: I need your guidance on this, which I will support.
Jibri Knight: I firmly believe that the best ideas come from those with the deepest understanding of the issues. I would look to organizations like this one for guidance in shaping thoughtful and effective policy.
Tracy Robinson: Restoration, septic improvements, grants, Florida Forever, and enforcement of existing pollution laws.
Do you support a Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: I’d like to better understand any nuances to this
Tracy Robinson: I support Clean water but Oppose constitutional litigation approach
Do you support repealing HB 1205 of 2025, which greatly complicates citizens petitions for amendments to the state constitution?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: I am open to any needed reforms, our process was being incorrectly used by some bad actors
Tracy Robinson: I support protecting Florida voters from misleading constitutional amendment campaigns funded by special interests. Constitutional changes should be clear, responsible, and focused on the long-term interests of Floridians. I do not support repealing HB 1205.
Concurrent with safe sleep awareness efforts to reduce infant mortality via SIDS, will you ensure rural health departments have resources to facilitate and communities have access to drinking water testing and education? If not, how else will you address the maternal and prenatal rural drinking water crisis?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Absolutely
Tracy Robinson: Yes. Rural families deserve access to safe drinking water and reliable information. I support using existing rural health departments, local resources, and current state programs to expand water testing and education without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. We should invest in solutions that directly serve communities and protect public health.
How will rural communities and small cities adapt to potential changes in tax structures? What strategies do you propose they implement? What about funding for public parks, 4H/youth programs, and agricultural extension?

Allison Tant: I have funded the 4h camp cherry lake during my tenure in the House. I serve in the state parks foundation board and passed the law creating their license plate to find them. I also cosponsored legislation to kill the drill in Apalachicola and legislation to require full notice for land swaps and development of public land.
Jibri Knight: I am closely watching how the current Legislature addresses this issue and look forward to reviewing any proposals or actions that emerge. Before taking a definitive position, I believe it is important to carefully evaluate the details, potential impacts, and feedback from the people who will be affected.
Tracy Robinson: Rural Florida should not be punished with higher taxes because of uncontrolled growth. New development should help pay for the infrastructure it requires through responsible impact fees. I will protect agricultural land through existing greenbelt protections and continue supporting programs like 4-H, FFA, parks, and agricultural extension because they strengthen our communities, workforce, and future generations
Will you ensure free speech and first amendment rights are upheld by opposing agricultural muzzle clauses?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes
If you aren’t monitoring, you aren’t managing. How can water quality and supply monitoring efforts be improved and better coordinated?

Allison Tant: Management needs to include both permitting and then after permit unannounced inspections, water and soil teatinf.
Jibri Knight: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection should take a lead role, and local health departments should be fully funded to ensure they have the resources, testing capabilities, and kits available for citizens.
Tracy Robinson: If we are not monitoring, we are not managing. Florida should improve coordination, transparency, and public access to water quality information while ensuring the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has the resources necessary to perform testing, enforce existing laws, and protect our water resources.
Will you support the State of Florida water quality testing all rivers?

Allison Tant: Yes
Jibri Knight: Yes
Tracy Robinson: Yes and I will work to require and fund the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to test all rivers frequently and at closely spaced sites. Other: Reliable data is essential to making responsible decisions and protecting Florida’s water supply for future generations.
Would you support a pesticide liability shield?

Allison Tant: No
Jibri Knight: No
Tracy Robinson: Yes
What are your primary concerns regarding water?

Allison Tant: That it be clean, safe and secure in our state
Jibri Knight: Clean water is essential to life, and every Floridian should have the expectation that their water is safe and clean. Protecting our water resources is not optional—it is a fundamental responsibility that directly impacts public health, our environment, and our quality of life.
Tracy Robinson: My primary concerns are protecting the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and drinking water supplies while preventing pollution, protecting farmers and rural landowners, and ensuring Florida’s growth is responsible and does not place unnecessary burdens on taxpayers
Do you support the state preemptions of local government via restrictions of municipal action, codes, or ordinances?

Allison Tant: No
Jibri Knight: No
Tracy Robinson: Yes
Which state preemptions of local governments do you support, if any?

Allison Tant: None
Jibri Knight: I believe local issues should be addressed at the local level. Communities are best served when decisions are made by those who know their needs and priorities firsthand.
Tracy Robinson: I support state preemption when it protects constitutional rights, creates consistent statewide standards, prevents excessive government regulation, and protects families, farmers, and businesses from conflicting local rules. Florida should have clear standards while respecting local input on community-specific issues

State Representative District 9 by candidate

Allison Tant, Incumbent, Democratic
Jibri Knight, Republican
Tracy Robinson, Republican

Allison Tant, Incumbent, Democratic, State Representative, District 9

Do you oppose Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin?
Yes
Do you support a ban on transfers of water from one river basin to another?
Yes
Do you support seawater desalination for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
Yes
Do you support potable reuse for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
Yes
Do you support efforts to recharge the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and rivers that do not require massive engineering?
Yes
Do you support a water budget for north Florida, requiring water withdrawal permits to be limited or reduced when exceeded?
Yes
What will you do to reform the Water Management Districts (WMDs)?
And All of the above
Will you work to require hyper-scale datacenters
I will work for a ban on hyper-scale datacenters
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
Both
What is your position on the rampant growth of population in Florida and its effect on our natural resources?
Growth needs to be managed with environmental protection as a first stop.
What solutions do you offer to protect our springs from over-pumping and pollution from various sources?
I need your guidance on this, which I will support.
Do you support a Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?
Yes
Do you support repealing HB 1205 of 2025, which greatly complicates citizens petitions for amendments to the state constitution?
Yes
Concurrent with safe sleep awareness efforts to reduce infant mortality via SIDS, will you ensure rural health departments have resources to facilitate and communities have access to drinking water testing and education? If not, how else will you address the maternal and prenatal rural drinking water crisis?
Yes
How will rural communities and small cities adapt to potential changes in tax structures? What strategies do you propose they implement? What about funding for public parks, 4H/youth programs, and agricultural extension?
I have funded the 4h camp cherry lake during my tenure in the House. I serve in the state parks foundation board and passed the law creating their license plate to find them. I also cosponsored legislation to kill the drill in Apalachicola and legislation to require full notice for land swaps and development of public land.
Will you ensure free speech and first amendment rights are upheld by opposing agricultural muzzle clauses?
Yes
If you aren’t monitoring, you aren’t managing. How can water quality and supply monitoring efforts be improved and better coordinated?
Management needs to include both permitting and then after permit unannounced inspections, water and soil teatinf.
Will you support the State of Florida water quality testing all rivers?
Yes
Would you support a pesticide liability shield?
No
What are your primary concerns regarding water?
That it be clean, safe and secure in our state
Do you support the state preemptions of local government via restrictions of municipal action, codes, or ordinances?
No
Which state preemptions of local governments do you support, if any?
None

Jibri Knight, Republican, State Representative, District 9

Do you oppose Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin?
Yes
Do you support a ban on transfers of water from one river basin to another?
Yes
Do you support seawater desalination for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
Yes
Do you support potable reuse for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
Yes
Do you support efforts to recharge the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and rivers that do not require massive engineering?
Yes
Do you support a water budget for north Florida, requiring water withdrawal permits to be limited or reduced when exceeded?
To to understand this idea more
What will you do to reform the Water Management Districts (WMDs)?
I’d like to work to have a greater understanding of the issues the WMD boards are facing
Will you work to require hyper-scale datacenters
We should not do anything that could contaminate our soil or water
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
I will work to modify BMAPs so they actually reduce nitrates and other contaminants leaching into rivers and streams
What is your position on the rampant growth of population in Florida and its effect on our natural resources?
Growth should be managed responsibly, with careful attention to its environmental impacts. We must be conscientious stewards of our natural resources while planning for the needs of our community
What solutions do you offer to protect our springs from over-pumping and pollution from various sources?
I firmly believe that the best ideas come from those with the deepest understanding of the issues. I would look to organizations like this one for guidance in shaping thoughtful and effective policy.
Do you support a Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?
I’d like to better understand any nuances to this
Do you support repealing HB 1205 of 2025, which greatly complicates citizens petitions for amendments to the state constitution?
I am open to any needed reforms, our process was being incorrectly used by some bad actors
Concurrent with safe sleep awareness efforts to reduce infant mortality via SIDS, will you ensure rural health departments have resources to facilitate and communities have access to drinking water testing and education? If not, how else will you address the maternal and prenatal rural drinking water crisis?
Absolutely
How will rural communities and small cities adapt to potential changes in tax structures? What strategies do you propose they implement? What about funding for public parks, 4H/youth programs, and agricultural extension?
I am closely watching how the current Legislature addresses this issue and look forward to reviewing any proposals or actions that emerge. Before taking a definitive position, I believe it is important to carefully evaluate the details, potential impacts, and feedback from the people who will be affected.
Will you ensure free speech and first amendment rights are upheld by opposing agricultural muzzle clauses?
Yes
If you aren’t monitoring, you aren’t managing. How can water quality and supply monitoring efforts be improved and better coordinated?
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection should take a lead role, and local health departments should be fully funded to ensure they have the resources, testing capabilities, and kits available for citizens.
Will you support the State of Florida water quality testing all rivers?
Yes
Would you support a pesticide liability shield?
No
What are your primary concerns regarding water?
Clean water is essential to life, and every Floridian should have the expectation that their water is safe and clean. Protecting our water resources is not optional—it is a fundamental responsibility that directly impacts public health, our environment, and our quality of life.
Do you support the state preemptions of local government via restrictions of municipal action, codes, or ordinances?
No
Which state preemptions of local governments do you support, if any?
I believe local issues should be addressed at the local level. Communities are best served when decisions are made by those who know their needs and priorities firsthand.

Tracy Robinson, Republican, State Representative, District 9

Do you oppose Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin?
Yes
Do you support a ban on transfers of water from one river basin to another?
Yes
Do you support seawater desalination for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
Yes
Do you support potable reuse for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
Yes
Do you support efforts to recharge the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and rivers that do not require massive engineering?
Yes
Do you support a water budget for north Florida, requiring water withdrawal permits to be limited or reduced when exceeded?
Yes
What will you do to reform the Water Management Districts (WMDs)?
I will work to create a WMD board member recall mechanism and I will work to require all WMD board positions to be filled
Will you work to require hyper-scale datacenters
Closed-loop/no untreated discharge/avoid burdening public systems.I support responsible technology growth, but hyper-scale data centers must not burden public water systems, energy infrastructure, or taxpayers
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
I will work to modify BMAPs so they actually reduce nitrates and other contaminants. I will work to require and fund FDEP to enforce existing contamination laws.
What is your position on the rampant growth of population in Florida and its effect on our natural resources?
Growth must pay for itself. Florida must expand water supply, protect natural resources through conservation programs like Florida Forever, and ensure new development helps fund the infrastructure it requires
What solutions do you offer to protect our springs from over-pumping and pollution from various sources?
Restoration, septic improvements, grants, Florida Forever, and enforcement of existing pollution laws.
Do you support a Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?
I support Clean water but Oppose constitutional litigation approach
Do you support repealing HB 1205 of 2025, which greatly complicates citizens petitions for amendments to the state constitution?
I support protecting Florida voters from misleading constitutional amendment campaigns funded by special interests. Constitutional changes should be clear, responsible, and focused on the long-term interests of Floridians. I do not support repealing HB 1205.
Concurrent with safe sleep awareness efforts to reduce infant mortality via SIDS, will you ensure rural health departments have resources to facilitate and communities have access to drinking water testing and education? If not, how else will you address the maternal and prenatal rural drinking water crisis?
Yes. Rural families deserve access to safe drinking water and reliable information. I support using existing rural health departments, local resources, and current state programs to expand water testing and education without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. We should invest in solutions that directly serve communities and protect public health.
How will rural communities and small cities adapt to potential changes in tax structures? What strategies do you propose they implement? What about funding for public parks, 4H/youth programs, and agricultural extension?
Rural Florida should not be punished with higher taxes because of uncontrolled growth. New development should help pay for the infrastructure it requires through responsible impact fees. I will protect agricultural land through existing greenbelt protections and continue supporting programs like 4-H, FFA, parks, and agricultural extension because they strengthen our communities, workforce, and future generations
Will you ensure free speech and first amendment rights are upheld by opposing agricultural muzzle clauses?
Yes
If you aren’t monitoring, you aren’t managing. How can water quality and supply monitoring efforts be improved and better coordinated?
If we are not monitoring, we are not managing. Florida should improve coordination, transparency, and public access to water quality information while ensuring the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has the resources necessary to perform testing, enforce existing laws, and protect our water resources.
Will you support the State of Florida water quality testing all rivers?
Yes and I will work to require and fund the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to test all rivers frequently and at closely spaced sites. Other: Reliable data is essential to making responsible decisions and protecting Florida’s water supply for future generations.
Would you support a pesticide liability shield?
Yes
What are your primary concerns regarding water?
My primary concerns are protecting the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and drinking water supplies while preventing pollution, protecting farmers and rural landowners, and ensuring Florida’s growth is responsible and does not place unnecessary burdens on taxpayers
Do you support the state preemptions of local government via restrictions of municipal action, codes, or ordinances?
Yes
Which state preemptions of local governments do you support, if any?
I support state preemption when it protects constitutional rights, creates consistent statewide standards, prevents excessive government regulation, and protects families, farmers, and businesses from conflicting local rules. Florida should have clear standards while respecting local input on community-specific issues

Holly Point, Withlacoochee River @ NE Withla Bluffs Way 2026-07-29 –Russ Tatum for WWALS

The Questions: WWALS Political Candidate Clean Water Questionnaire

Here you can see what the choices were.

Do you oppose Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin?
- Yes
- I will propose a moratorium
- I will work to cancel the project
- No, I support WFNF
- Other
Do you support a ban on transfers of water from one river basin to another?
- Yes
- I will work for a legal ban
- No
- Other
Do you support seawater desalination for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
- Yes
- I will work for state support for seawater desalination
- No
- Other
Do you support potable reuse for drinking water and to reduce groundwater withdrawals?
- Yes
- I will work for state support for potable reuse
- No
- Other
Do you support efforts to recharge the Floridan Aquifer, springs, and rivers that do not require massive engineering?
- Yes
- I support forestry wetland well recharge
- I will work to clear legal hurdles for safe, clean forestry wetland well recharge
- No
- Other
Do you support a water budget for north Florida, requiring water withdrawal permits to be limited or reduced when exceeded?
- Yes
- I will work for state support for a water budget.
- No
- Other
What will you do to reform the Water Management Districts (WMDs)?
- I will work to make WMD boards elected.
- I will work to create a WMD board member recall mechanism.
- I will work to require all WMD board positions to be filled.
- I will work to require half of each WMD’s board to be from scientific or environmental backgrounds.
- Other
Will you work to require hyper-scale datacenters
- To use closed-loop cooling
- Not to discharge untreated wastewater into waterways or groundwater
- To provide their power through renewable energy instead of from new fossil fuel power plants (which require massive cooling water)
- I will work for a moratorium on hyper-scale datacenters
- I will work for a ban on hyper-scale datacenters
- I support hyper-scale datacenters with none of the above requirements
- Other
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
- I will work to modify BMAPs so they actually reduce nitrates and other contaminants leaching into rivers and streams
- I will work to require and fund the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to enforce existing contamination laws
- Other
What is your position on the rampant growth of population in Florida and its effect on our natural resources?
[Long answer text]
What solutions do you offer to protect our springs from over-pumping and pollution from various sources?
[Long answer text]
Do you support a Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?
- Yes
- If elected to the legislature, will you introduce a bill for Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?
- If elected to the legislature, will you support a bill for Right to Clean Water in the Florida Constitution Article I?
- Should a Right to Clean Water also include Right to Clean Air and Soil?
- No
- Other
Do you support repealing HB 1205 of 2025, which greatly complicates citizens petitions for amendments to the state constitution?
- Yes
- If elected to the legislature, will you introduce a bill to repeal HB 1205?
- If elected to the legislature, will you support a bill to repeal HB 1205?
- No
- Other
Concurrent with safe sleep awareness efforts to reduce infant mortality via SIDS, will you ensure rural health departments have resources to facilitate and communities have access to drinking water testing and education? If not, how else will you address the maternal and prenatal rural drinking water crisis?
[Long answer text]
How will rural communities and small cities adapt to potential changes in tax structures? What strategies do you propose they implement? What about funding for public parks, 4H/youth programs, and agricultural extension?
[Long answer text]
Will you ensure free speech and first amendment rights are upheld by opposing agricultural muzzle clauses?
- Yes
- No
If you aren’t monitoring, you aren’t managing. How can water quality and supply monitoring efforts be improved and better coordinated?
[Long answer text]
Will you support the State of Florida water quality testing all rivers?
- Yes
- I will work for testing all rivers frequently and at closely-spaced sites.
- I will work to require and fund the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to testing all rivers frequently and at closely-spaced sites.
- No
- Other
Would you support a pesticide liability shield?
- Yes
- No
What are your primary concerns regarding water?
[Long answer text]
Do you support the state preemptions of local government via restrictions of municipal action, codes, or ordinances?
- Yes
- No
Which state preemptions of local governments do you support, if any?
[Long answer text]

As an IRS 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, WWALS cannot support or oppose any specific candidate for office. But we can ask all candidates in a race what they think, and publish the results.

Poe Springs, Santa Fe River @ CR 340 2026-07-29 –Bob Mills and Kurt Hurzeler for WWALS

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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