Shea Cruel

Florida parents often face significant challenges in finding accessible and affordable childcare.

Florida parents often face significant challenges in finding accessible and affordable childcare. There are implications for Florida and working families. According to the Florida Policy Institute, the dearth of childcare facilities costs the state’s economy nearly $7 Billion annually in lost in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue. The average annual cost of childcare costs families $8,700, nearly 10% of the median income for married couples and 26% of a single mother’s income. My Plan: Increase Child Care Subsidies and Expand Eligibility. Although Florida offers some help, the waitlists to enroll are long, the help meager and the income restrictions too stringent.

Shea's commitment to service began early, shaped by his education at a private Christian school where he developed strong values and a moral foundation. After his military service, Shea pursued higher education, earning both his undergraduate and graduates degrees in social work at Florida Atlantic University where he met his wife, also working towards her Bachelors & Masters of Social Work. Shea Cruel is running for Governor because he believes in creating a Florida where every resident has acc

Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1986 and raised in Florida since the age of five, Shea Cruel has dedicated his life to service and mental health advocacy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist, Shea brings a unique perspective to leadership—one grounded in understanding the needs of individuals and communities alike. Shea's commitment to service began early, shaped by his education at a private Christian school where he developed strong values and a moral foundation. In 2009, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army, where he proudly served for eight years, developing leadership skills and a deep appreciation for sacrifice and duty. After his military service, Shea pursued higher education, earning both his undergraduate and graduates degrees in social work at Florida Atlantic University where he met his wife, also working towards her Bachelors & Masters of Social Work. Together they have two children - a daughter and son. As a mental health professional, Shea has witnessed firsthand the challenges facing Florida families and has worked tirelessly to provide support and guidance. His unique combination of military discipline, clinical expertise and genuine compassion and empathy for people makes him exceptionally qualified to address the complex issues facing our state. Shea Cruel is running for Governor because he believes in creating a Florida where every resident has access to quality healthcare, education, and oppo

Our mental health crisis is not a mystery to me. One way to fix our mental health problems in Florida is by fixing the porous holes in our safety net, unemployment benefits, health care, and housing assistance. There are other measures: Increase funding for mental and emotional health services, and requiring health insurance companies to increase access to mental health care.

Our mental health crisis is not a mystery to me. It’s what happens when people live paycheck to paycheck. One illness. One surprise bill. One termination notice away from financial ruin. They are the people I see and treat every day as a mental health professional. A lot of the mental health issues we face are driven by economic anxiety. Constant worry about finances lead to clinical anxiety disorders. Financial hardships, even short term, lead to feelings of hopelessness and acute depression. Stress from financial worries often lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, which compound mental health challenges. One way to fix our mental health problems in Florida is by fixing the porous holes in our safety net, unemployment benefits, health care, and housing assistance. There are other measures: Increase funding for mental and emotional health services, and requiring health insurance companies to increase access to mental health care. Enhance workforce development training to help the underemployed and underpaid develop jobs skills Expanding Telehealth and Telepsychiatry for those who can be helped with remote care. Embedding mental health professionals in primary care settings to facilitate early detection and intervention. We will not improve mental health services in Florida unless we have a Governor serious about doing it. I am. I will.

By 2025, projections indicate that the average annual premium for full coverage will reach around $3,484. Strengthening anti-fraud measures, increasing penalties for staged accidents, and limiting attorney fees in minor claims could lower premiums. • Expanding the state’s fraud detection unit and partnering with insurers to investigate fraudulent claims could also help 2.

Car insurance rates in Florida have experienced significant increases in recent years Currently Florida has the 4th highest car insurance rates in the U.S.. In 2015, the average annual premium was approximately $1,742. By 2025, projections indicate that the average annual premium for full coverage will reach around $3,484. This represents an increase of about $1,742 over the decade. My Plan: 1. Crack Down on Fraud & Litigation Abuse • Insurance fraud and excessive lawsuits drive up costs. Strengthening anti-fraud measures, increasing penalties for staged accidents, and limiting attorney fees in minor claims could lower premiums. • Expanding the state’s fraud detection unit and partnering with insurers to investigate fraudulent claims could also help 2. Address Uninsured Drivers • Florida has one of the highest uninsured driver rates (nearly 20%) , which raises costs for insured drivers. • Enforcing stronger penalties for uninsured motorists or offering state-backed affordable insurance plans for low-income drivers could reduce uninsured rates. 3 . Encourage More Insurance Competition • Attracting more insurance providers to Florida through regulatory incentives and reduced bureaucracy could increase competition and lower rates. • Consider offering tax incentives or reducing excessive regulatory burdens on insurers. 4. Review and Adjust State-Mandated Coverages • Florida requires relatively high coverage limits, which increases costs. • Reviewing these mandates and allowing dr

Work with local governments and community organizations to conduct outreach and marketing campaigns that inform residents about available training opportunities.

Work with local governments and community organizations to conduct outreach and marketing campaigns that inform residents about available training opportunities.

It will also disrupt the marketplace and cost some Floridians their jobs. Collaborate with Industries that employ large numbers of workers to help them train/retrain workers to improve employee productivity, including healthcare, technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Enlist the Help of Chambers of Commerce and their members to assess workforce skills needed in their communities, and how to recruit talent in areas with labor shortages.

Artificial Inteligence is here. Its use will grow because it allows people and companies to become exponentially more productive. It will also disrupt the marketplace and cost some Floridians their jobs. State Government needs to step up to the plate and be ready to assist those who are negatively impacted by technology. It is also in Florida’s interest to help those who are underemployed or stuck in low-wage jobs to scale the ladder of prosperity. We have the infrastructure in place to do it, including CareerSource Florida Network, the Career and Adult Education program at the Department of Education, and OIC in South Florida. My Plan: Expand the number of Workforce Development Training Centers so that all Floridians have access to in-person training. Collaborate with Industries that employ large numbers of workers to help them train/retrain workers to improve employee productivity, including healthcare, technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Enlist the Help of Chambers of Commerce and their members to assess workforce skills needed in their communities, and how to recruit talent in areas with labor shortages. Work with local governments and community organizations to conduct outreach and marketing campaigns that inform residents about available training opportunities.

A combat veteran turned mental health advocate with 8 years of military service and extensive experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

A combat veteran turned mental health advocate with 8 years of military service and extensive experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Shea combines the discipline of his Army background with the compassion of his therapeutic practice to address Florida's most pressing challenges. As a husband and father, he understands the importance of building a stronger, healthier future for all Florida families.