GOP Ponders Suit Over Ballot in Foley’s District
The Florida Republican Party is exploring legal options to force county elections officials in the 16th Congressional district to display notices informing voters that state Rep. Joe Negron (R) will receive any votes cast for scandal-ridden ex-Rep. Mark Foley (R), whose name remains on the Nov. 7 ballot despite resigning his post a week and a half ago amid the furor over his sexually explicit messages to underage House pages.
The Florida Division of Elections last week issued a suggestion to the eight elections supervisors in the district to post notices in polling booths and in the envelopes with absentee ballots about Foley’s replacement as well as the state law that allows votes to be counted for another party-designated candidate if the original candidate drops out of the race after it is too late to reprint ballots.
However, the state association for county election supervisors said placing such notices in absentee ballots would be illegal. Another ruling from the association on posting signs inside polling places is expected this week. Both Republican and Democratic elections supervisors were quoted in local newspapers as saying posting notices in voting booths could violate the ban on electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place.
The state’s e-mail to the supervisors did not cite any state statute as requiring such postings, but Jenny Nash, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of State, said the language was not intended as a mandate from the state.
“It’s up to the discretion of the supervisors,” Nash said, adding that the state still supports the use of the postings.
“In order to avoid confusion at the polls, voters should be educated about any last minute changes to the ballot,” she said.
But both the Florida Republican and Democratic parties seem ready to take whichever decision is made by the elections supervisors to court.
“We continue to look at that,” said Florida Republican Party spokesman Jeff Sadosky.
Democrats have said posting notices would unfairly disadvantage the candidacy of their nominee, rancher Tim Mahoney.
In 2004, Broward County posted notices that Democrat Robin Rorapaugh would receive the votes cast for Jim Stork, who dropped out of his campaign against 22nd district Rep. Clay Shaw (R). Palm Beach County, which is also in the 22nd, did not post such notices.
— Emily Pierce
Busansky Hits Bilirakis on High Insurance Costs Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky (D) unveiled a new ad last week attempting to capitalize on voter discontent over skyrocketing homeowners insurance rates in Florida, particularly in the suburban Tampa 9th district where she is running.
Busansky is running a competitive race against state Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R), the son of retiring Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R).
The ad features Busansky standing in front on several local homes saying, “No matter where you live, or what type of home you own, homeowners insurance is through the roof.” In fact, homeowners insurance rates have gone up more than 100 percent in some parts of Florida, according to published reports.
Busansky then takes a shot at Bilirakis for accepting what her campaign says is more than $36,000 from individuals, companies and political action committees affiliated with the insurance industry.
“Insurance companies support Gus Bilirakis because he voted with them and against us. I don’t take insurance company money,” Busansky says in the ad.
Busansky campaign manager Robert Becker said the campaign made an initial ad buy of $33,000 on Hillsborough and northern Pinellas County cable systems, but plans to run the spot for the duration of the campaign.
Meanwhile, a recent Bilirakis direct-mail piece attempts to highlight his efforts in the Legislature to reduce insurance rates.
“Gus Bilirakis strengthened the laws against insurance fraud and fought to reduce insurance rates for those using Citizens Insurance. In Congress, Bilirakis will support the creation of a National Catastrophe Fund to help lower the cost of insurance,” the mail piece reads.
— E.P.
Cardin: U.S. Needs to Keep Pace Developing Energy Technology
Feb. 8, 12 a.m.
Today, too many Americans are out of work. Today, we will send $1 billion overseas to satisfy our appetite for foreign oil, while the Chinese will continue their massive investment in clean energy technology. Today, our nation faces an economic crisis, an energy crisis and a global climate crisis. Read Full Article
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