Talking directly to voters illuminates political reporting. You get to bypass those who usually tell us what voters are thinking — politicians, academics or pollsters — and go directly to the source.

So Tuesday’s special election in state Senate District 14 in Tampa was a chance to gauge the mood.

We asked each voter about the issues of the day.

The responses were dark. Across the political spectrum of the dozen voters who spoke with the Tampa Bay Times, hope, change and freedom were not words that were uttered.

Each Democrat I spoke with refused to give their name out of fear that their views would be held against them in job searches or by their current employers. Republicans feared Democrats were primed to take over and start prosecuting their enemies.

One young voter with no party affiliation said enough was enough and that violence was in the air.

Let’s start with him first of those who provided their names.

Nick Smith, 27

Party: No party affiliation

Occupation: Owns IT company

How should AI data centers be regulated, if at all? They should be banned. We don’t understand the technology. Too much too soon could be wasted in a few years, so let’s hold off in approving data centers everywhere.

Should lawmakers eliminate property taxes to help make homes more affordable? Long-term, that may not be the best solution. Property taxes account for a lot of our funding. It’s robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Do you approve of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is deporting immigrants? I’m not seeing ICE enforcement here, so I don’t have an opinion.

Do you support the war with Iran? The majority of people my age do not support this war. I don’t see any scenario where the U.S. comes out of this better off. There’s a looming sense of dread that my friends and I have about this war. We can’t afford homes now, and you’re asking us to fight a war in the Middle East?

Do you like the way President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the Jeffrey Epstein case? That’s connected to everything. My age group believes that everyone in charge is out to get us. Young people are looking for an excuse to go crazy, and that’s why we think they’re withholding the Epstein files. There’s a lot of anger out there over this. We’re closer to violence than people realize.

Paul Gaurino, 69

Party: Republican

Occupation: Flooring company

How should AI data centers be regulated, if at all? No opinion.

Should lawmakers eliminate property taxes to help make homes more affordable? I don’t know how they would do this. Where would the money come from?

Do you approve of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is deporting immigrants? They’re doing a great job. Things are always going to go wrong when you tackle something that big. I’m not against immigration, but I am for safe borders. We let in people with criminal records for too long.

Do you support the war with Iran? I support it. It’s a deterrent for what’s to come. Gas prices will come back down.

Do you like the way President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the Jeffrey Epstein case? The Democrats had the file for a long time and they didn’t release it. I don’t have a problem with how Trump has handled it.

Robert Lambert, 64

Party: Republican

Occupation: Process server

How should AI data centers be regulated, if at all? Get as many of them as you can. They bring great jobs and they’re great for taxes.

Should lawmakers eliminate property taxes to help make homes more affordable? They won’t eliminate them. They’ll meet somewhere in the middle, which is fine.

Do you approve of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is deporting immigrants? We brought in felons with open borders. You can’t argue with the results of what ICE has done. Sanctuary cities were a problem.

Do you support the war with Iran? We should have done this 40 years ago. Iran with nuclear weapons would be a disaster for the world. Gas prices are a short-term thing. Long term? Things will return to normal.

Do you like the way President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the Jeffrey Epstein case? I don’t know if Trump has gotten all the information he needs about this. There’s still some powerful people in charge who are deciding what he sees.

Laura Bozant, 72

Party: No party affiliation

Occupation: Retired, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

How should AI data centers be regulated, if at all? AI is a little scary. I don’t trust it.

Should lawmakers eliminate property taxes to help make homes more affordable? How are you going to pay law enforcement and fire if you get rid of property taxes? No way this can work.

Do you approve of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is deporting immigrants? ICE is totally out of line. They’re making illegal stops. (Polk County Sheriff) Grady Judd was right. Go to where they’re committing crimes. Don’t go to where people are making a living.

Do you support the war with Iran? It’s a distraction from the Epstein files. If Trump can take our minds off the Epstein files, he’s happy.

Do you like the way President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the Jeffrey Epstein case? Trump’s name is all over those files, and he’s going to deny that he was involved.

Anitha Thomas, 58

Party: No party affiliation

Occupation: Business owner, retired

How should AI data centers be regulated, if at all? These centers are a bad thing for Florida.

Should lawmakers eliminate property taxes to help make homes more affordable? I believe in property taxes. It provides important services. I’m against this.

Do you approve of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is deporting immigrants? This is why I’m not a Republican anymore. This is not a good thing for our country.

Do you support the war with Iran? This is a bad idea. I’m from India. This just feels like the U.S. isn’t respecting other religions.

Do you like the way President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the Jeffrey Epstein case? I don’t get into this issue that much, but it seems like the Republicans are very anti-woman with this issue and abortion.