Ken Detzner Suppresses Early Voting at University of Florida

:"I just can't understand why they feel the need to be so restrictive about where people are allowed to vote ... This is strategic. They're worried about young people voting."

Lori Edwards, Polk County Supervisor of Elections.

Edwards was speaking on Secretary of State Ken Detzner denying the University of Florida student union being used as a early voting site. Detzner gave this reason.

"The Reitz Union is a structure designed for, and affiliated with, a specific educational institution," says an advisory opinion from Maria Matthews, director of the state Division of Elections, which is run by a Scott appointee, Secretary of State Ken Detzner. "The terms 'convention center' and 'government-owned community center' cannot be construed so broadly as to include the Reitz Union."

The Republican controlled state legislature reject having "educational facilities" as voting sites. Edwards is right. Republicans have given up on young voters and simply want to suppress the vote.

State Senator Jeff Clemens sent this letter.

I write you to express my concern with a misinterpretation of statute from a bill that passed through the Florida legislature last session, as it relates to voting at community centers.

The bill we passed, which later was signed into law by the governor, was very clear in stating that a "government-owned community center" is an acceptable location for early voting...

The Reitz Union is government-owned, as the University of Florida is a public insitution founded and funded by the state of Florida. The Reitz Union is also (a) community center, obviously.

There is no ambiguity in the statute, nor is there any in the public nature or purpose of the Reitz Union. The statute is crystal clear, straightforward and with no room for misinterpretation.

As a member of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee that formulated this bill, I ask that you immediately re-evaluate your unlawful decision to not allow voting at the Reitz Union..."

Sadly, the complaints of Clemens will fall on deaf ears.

We need stronger fedral voting laws to stop this kind of voting suppression.

Two Florida Congression Races to Watch

Joe Garcia and Lori Edwards have a shot of winning. Garcia is running against the scandal-plagued David Rivera. Polls have showed the race to be a toss up. What will hurt Rivera is that the 25th district Republicans have done a good job with voter turnout. Nate Silver has Rivera winning. What troubles me is if Rivera wins it will send the message that corruption is rewarded.

Edwards maybe helped in her race 12th district race against Dennis Ross. Tea Party candidate Randy Wilkenson may take some votes away from Ross. It is hard to say how much of a factor. I wrote a post on how Edwards primary candidate Doug Tudor would not have a chance to win. I got hammered in my comments by Tudor supporters. Now Edwards might win the race. I backed Edwards because I am a realist. It is pointless to back candidates who can not win.

Lori Edwards Endorsed By Florida Alliance for Retired Americans

12th Congressional district candidate Lori Edwards has been endorsed by the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans. The organization backed Obama's health care reform and voiced opposition to cuts on Social Secuity and Medicare.

The endorsement

"Your willingness to fight to preserve and strengthen Medicare, build our economy, support families and preserve our values has not gone unnoticed," said Alliance President Tony Fransetta. "Your determination to stand up for Floridians will ensure that Florida seniors will have an advocate in the United States Congress."

"I am proud to receive the endorsement of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans," said Lori Edwards. "Unlike my opponent, Dennis Ross, I will oppose every attempt to privatize Social Security and Medicare and fight to ensure that we take care of seniors."

West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association Endorses Edwards

District 12 Congressional candidate Lori Edwards has been endorsed by the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association.

The press release:

"I am honored to have the support of those who risk their lives to protect us," said Lori Edwards, "and I look forward to providing them with a strong voice in Congress."

"I know when police officers need a champion in Congress, Lori Edwards will be there for us," said Gary Bradford, spokesperson for the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association.

Lori Edwards On Dennis Ross Receiving Joe Barton Money

Dennis Ross is the likely Republican nominee for the Florida district 12 Congressional release. Ross received $2,000 from Rep. Joe Barton's Texas Freedom fund PAC. Barton's now famous apology to BP CEO Tony Hayward was seen as insensitive. Ross's campaign manager Fred Piccolo told the Tampa Tribune Ross disagrees with Barton but will keep the PAC money. A true profile in courage.

Ross' campaign manager, Fred Piccolo, said the candidate disagreed with Barton when he apologized to Hayward. But he isn't giving back the money he received via the Texan's committee, Piccolo said.

Democratic district 12 candidate Lori Edwards is asking Ross to return Barton's PAC money.

“Ross' refusal to give back Joe Barton's dirty money or explain his view that more offshore drilling is the key to our energy future makes it clear that his loyalty lies with big oil not with those most affected by this environmental disaster," said Edwards Campaign Manager Tony Coppola. "It's unfortunate that Dennis Ross is siding with Joe Barton and big oil even at a time when the oil spill is threatening Florida's economy and destroying its beaches.

“I understand the link between protecting our beaches and growing our economy, said Lori Edwards. "We need a representative who is willing to stand up to big oil not for them."

Ross supports drilling in the environmentally sensitive Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf of Mexico. The Ross website states being against unsafe drilling. Ross doesn't say how he would make offshore drilling safe.

The BP disaster is proof there is no way to cap a deep water offshore drilling accident. An anonymous oil industry expert told the Young Turks show there is no way to make deep water drilling safe.

Doug Tudor Attacks Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

I have repeatedly said Doug Tuder can not win Florida District 12. Appparently, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz sent out a mass e-mail asking Democrats to support Tudor's primary opponent Lori Edwards. The Tudor campaign found out about the e-mail and is using it for fundraising purposes. I doubt it will do much good. According to OpenSecrets.org, Tudor has only raised $34,274.

Tudor has alienated the Democratic establishment. I have had my own misgivings with the establishment. I am also not running for Congress. Tudor needed the establishment for fundraising and endorsements. Instead, he operated his campaign without communicating with the DCCC and Florida Democratic Party. Tudor shouldn't act shocked that Wasserman-Schultz is supporting Edwards.

From Tudor's e-mail:

Over the next several days, I am going to send you a few more notes outlining why Debbie, who is in a safe D+13 district, is supporting a Conservative. Trust me, it is not the first time she has backed candidates that are opposed to the hope and change for which we worked so hard for in 2008. With your $20.00 contribution, we can send a clear message that it should be her last.

Man, this guy is vindictive. Tudor is obsessed with a Democrat representative from another district. That is much like Tudor's weird attack on Randy Edwards; a unknown candidate who withdrew from the race before he even really started. I don't want a person with Tudor's temperment anywhere near public office.

Another point is what hope and change did Tudor create in 2008? Tudor lost the District 12 general election to Adam Putnam by 16.8 percent. Tudor didn't help Barack Obama win Florida. So I really like to know how he is creating hope and change by attacking every Democrat he feels that dissed him?

Update: At the time of this post; Doug Tudor's ActBlue site has raised $170.00. That isn't going to cut it.

Lori Edwards Fundraising Woes

The Doug Tudor and Randy Edwards nonstory has been covered on this blog. The real story is Lori Edward had a bad fundraising quarter.

Roll Call reports Edwards raised only $39,000 in the third quarter. She spent $44,000 during that period. Republican candidate Dennis Ross $144,000. Open Secrets has breakdown of the candidates' fundraising.

Republicans

Dennis Ross

Raised: 381,319
Spent: $126,321
Cash on Hand: $254,997
Last Report: September 30, 2009

Randy Wilkinson

Raised: $6,250
Spent: $2,155
Cash on Hand: $4,094
Last Report: October 01, 2009

Thomas K. Snider

Raised: $198
Spent: $98
Cash on Hand: $100
Last Report: June 30, 2009

Democrats

Lori Edwards

Raised: $141,181
Spent: $64,593
Cash on Hand: $76,586
Last Report: September 30, 2009


Doug Tudor

Raised: $1,486
Spent: $1,750
Cash on Hand: $3,106
Last Report: June 30, 2009

Randy Edwards

No reports on record for this candidate.

District 12 was held by Adam Putnam. The Congressman is giving up his seat to run for Agriculture Commissioner. The district has been red. Edwards would have a difficult time winning the district, if her fundraising was even with Ross's. If Edwards doesn't step up her fundraising the DCCC will give up on her.

Doug Tudor Can Not Win District 12

Susan Smith is attempting to increase support of Congressional candidate Doug Tudor over Democratic candidate Lori Edwards. Down With Tyranny has also endorsed Tudor. Why must the netroots back candidates that can not win?

Edwards is the Polk County Supervisor of Elections. She has more name recognition with voters and connections with the Polk County Democratic Party. Tudor is not even mentioned on the Polk County Executive Committee web site. Progressives should be very clear on this. Tudor has no chance of beating Dennis Ross in the general election. Acording to OpenSecrets.org, Ross has raised $236,889. Edwards has raised $102,636. Here is what should tell any astute political observer that Tudor should drop out. Tudor has only been able to raise $1,486.

I like Doug Tudor and would love to see him get elected to Congress. It isn't going to happen. The netroots needs to get behind Edwards. We not not always agree with her. We certainly won't agree with Ross. FriedGator is behind Edwards' candidacy.

I caught grief for backing Christine Jennings over (then) netroots darling Jan Schneider. Jennings ran a now infamously close election with Vern Buchanan. Schneider ran as an independant in 2008 and hindered Jennings' chances in her rematch with Buchanan. Schneider knew she couldn't win but decided to pull a Ralph Nader. Another netroots darling, Samm Simpson, endorsed Ron Paul.

Does any progressive believe Tudor can beat Edwards in the primary? Does Tudor honestly think he has a chance against Edwards? Why must we continue this charade? Edwards will win the primary and if progressives want District 12 to turn blue they are going to have to back a blue dog Democrat. I don't care if Tudor drops out. Tudor isn't running a strong enough campaign to damage Edwards. Sad but true.

Update: Tudor is now listed as a candidate on the Polk County Executive Committee web site.