Upcoming Primary Elections - Every voter is cautioned to review important campaign issues of each candidate and vote accordingly. Every newspaper has a section suggesting which candidate should receive voters support in upcoming elections; therefore, and in keeping with newspaper tradition, this section is dedicated as a voters guide to some of the upcoming races and reasons why one candidate or another should be considered for your vote.
Governor.
Democrats - Jim Davis is known and respected as one of Tampa Bay's more popular legislators. Davis represents traditional Democrat Party views regarding abortion and has been a leader in recommending insurance reform to include a state reinsurance pool. Davis should be considered as the choice for Democrats over Rod Smith.
Republicans - Tom Gallagher stands for most every conservative Republican platform issue in this election. Charlie Crist, on the other hand, has had to use carefully crafted words to avoid answering tough, direct questions regarding favoring civil unions. Gallagher supports pro-life (he is endorsed by Right To Life) and has obtained the endorsement of Dr. James Dobson. Crist, on the other hand, has many prominent political endorsements, including developer Donald Trump, and has raised more campaign money than Tom Gallagher. Recent polls show the gap between Crist and Gallagher has narrowed to under 10 percent (from 20 percent.) With 27 percent of voters undecided, Gallagher is still fighting an uphill race. Crist is a popular candidate who has won support from many Republican politicians, such as Sen. Mel Martinez. The way I see it, this could be a close Republican primary, closer than polls have stated. Bottom line? Gallagher would be tough on illegal immigration; Crist, our Attorney General, has not been as tough on illegal immigration issues. To most voters, illegal immigation is an important statewide issue.
U.S. Senate.
Katherine Harris is the best choice for Republicans in this primary race. Harris has been attacked by liberal media groups due to her role in the Bush election (counting ballots, etc.) Harris, as people who have actually met her know, is intelligent, articulate, knowledgeable and conservative in her personal values. She will face a tough battle against Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson. For those who have not met Katherine Harris, she is better in person than what has been printed about her from media adversaries.
Chief Financial Officer.
Tom Lee, the choice for Republicans.
Attorney General.
Democrats must choose from Walter Campbell or Merilee Ehrlich. Merilee Ehrlich supports most every platform issue of the Democrat Party. She opposes a Florida amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Campbell is undecided. Ehrlich may be the best choice for Democrat voters. The winner will have a tough race against Republican Bill McCollum.
U.S. Representative (District 9).
Gus Bilirakis will win this primary race for the Republicans.
State Senator (District 16).
Kimberly Berfield should win a close race against fellow Republican opponent Frank Farkas. Farkas has run a tough campaign, but Berfield should win this race. Two experienced state representatives fighting for this state senate seat.
State Representative (District 50).
Nancy Riley should beat fellow Republican Ed Hooper in a close race. Riley has support from realtor groups and responded to questions from the Christian Coalition in a recent voter guide. Hooper avoided answering (stating he was undecided) on issues such as capital punishment, allowing parents to use vouchers for school choice, and prohibiting casino ships in Florida ports. Riley, on the other hand, supports capital punishment for murder, supports children vouchers for school choice, opposes prohibition of casino boats in Florida ports. Riley is the best choice in this race.
State Representative (District 51).
Dottie Reeder should win this race against Bruce Cotton.
State Representative (District 54).
Rod Jones has raised an unusually high amount of campaign funds due to help from his well-connected father Dennis Jones (State Senator). But, Rod Jones has run a good campaign against fellow Republican opponents James Frishe, Michael Petruccelli and David Vecchio. Rod Jones is the favorite in this state representative race.
Circuit Judge (Circuit 6, Group 9).
Mary Handsel is the best choice in this judicial race.
Circuit Judge (Circuit 6, Group 32).
Pat Siracusa is the choice in this race. Experienced trial attorney with family roots in this area. Siracusa should win this race.
Circuit Judge (Circuit 6, Group 45).
Jack Day over Bo Michael. Jack Day is the clear choice since Bo Michael declined to answer questions in a recent voter guide. (Any candidate that hides his views from voters does not deserve the vote!) Vote Jack Day.
Final Thoughts - This primary election reflects everything that is bad in campaign spending. Many millions of dollars have been spent to determine which candidate would oppose another political party's candidate. Both major political parties are at fault with the waste of money in political campaigns. Imagine how some good candidates might have fared in this election if they had equal amounts of campaign funds to spend in presenting their views to the public.
Money talks in election campaigns and both major political parties play the same fundraising game. Television ads seemingly have more appeal to voters than most any other form of advertising - it is also very expensive. With fewer people following endorsements and editorials from newspapers, television advertising has become a popular campaign option that well-funded campaigns use to sway voters. Monetary caps on all campaigns? Imagine if every candidate had a maximum limit to spend? (Every race with varying campaign limits reflecting whether the race financial was federal, state, county or local.)
Most important thing?
Go and vote. This is one of the greatest rights in America.
Advice - To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it. - John Churton Collins