Kriseman endorses Darden Rice
State House Rep. and St. Pete City Council veteran Rick Kriseman is throwing his support behind Darden Rice in her Democratic primary contest with Rene Flowers for the District 3 Pinellas County Commission seat.
"Darden is a passionate advocate for many of the same things that I care deeply about - the environment, human rights, quality of life, technology and open, honest and responsive government," Kriseman said in a release.
--Will Van Sant, staff writer
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This may help Rice some. Another knock on Flowers.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Representative Rick Kriseman Endorses Darden Rice for County Commission
Posted on 07/08/2008
House Representative Rick Kriseman (D-Dist. 53) endorsed Darden Rice today for Pinellas County Commission At-Large, District 3.
Rep. Kriseman said in a statement, "While I greatly respect and appreciate the service that my former colleague Rene Flowers gave to the City of St. Petersburg, I believe one candidate in the race for Pinellas County Commission At-Large District 3 is better suited to address the important issues of today and the coming issues of tomorrow. That candidate is Darden Rice. Darden is a passionate advocate for many of the same things that I care deeply about – the environment, human rights, quality of life, technology, and open, honest and responsive government. Darden's fresh perspective will be an asset to a County Commission facing many challenges during this difficult time."
Rice is seeking the Democratic nomination in the race for Pinellas County Commission At-Large, District 3. Representative Kriseman’s endorsement is the latest in a series of endorsements reflecting Rice’s growing support throughout Pinellas County, including those of House Representative Darryl Rouson (D-Dist. 55), Tarpon Springs City Commissioner Peter Dalacos, and the West Central Florida Federation of Labor/AFL-CIO. Rice is also supported by St. Pete City Council Chairman Jamie Bennett, St. Petersburg City Council Member Karl Nurse, and Pinellas Park City Council Member Jerry Mullins.
Rice said in response, “I thank Representative Kriseman for his endorsement, and I’m honored to have his support. He was a selfless leader on the St. Petersburg City Council, and he brings that same dedication every day to the people of District 53 and Pinellas County as a whole. His leadership on open government and the environment is exactly what this county needs, and I look forward to working with him on these issues and many more when I am on the County Commission.”
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Rice stands for higher taxes and more government spending. Bostock is going to win by a wide margin.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Bostock did a great job keeping the PCSB finances in order. In addition, student test scores rose under her tenure. She keeps winning county-wide elections because of her exemplary performance and she'll win this county commission seat as well.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Nancy Bostock is Pinellas County's version of Rhonda Storms.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 04:56 PM
If Kriseman is for Rice, I'm for anyone else.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 04:58 PM
I’m not too sure that an endorsement from one of these Tallahassee bozos is helpful to anyone.
“Sorry you lost your job and house… but hey; I fixed that whole problem with baggy pants and truck-nuts for ya!”
btw… how’s that $240 working out for y’all?
Hahahahahahahaha…
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Rice stands for higher taxes and more government spending.
Bostock stands for 17-million wasted on Choice, a revolving door for Superintendents, returning defective kids back to the store, and a 53% drop out rate!
Whoooo hoooooo! Ain't making decisions fun!
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 05:01 PM
The D's are on this blog 24/7 aren't they? Whoa!
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Kriseman is an all around decent man. He has been a voice of reason in Tallahassee.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 06:28 PM
I am a Republican, and I can't think of a negative thing to say about Kriseman. I'd like to. I just can't. Good for Darden. Now Vote Bostock!
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 06:45 PM
"I am a Republican, and I can't think of a negative thing to say about Kriseman."
...nuff said!
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Bostock can not balance her own check book let alone a county budget. She did a lot of work trying to cut programs that her preacher wanted cut, but couldn't even get people on the board to agree to that.
Bostock fought programs that gave high school drop outs a second chance. Bostock lost.
Bostock fought hard to be sure the Pinellas County Emergency management team would never get the pet shelters they thought were necessary to protect citizens. Bostock lost.
Bostock fought against teacher salary increases. Bostock lost.
Bostock fought against the teacher salary referendum citing a firm stance against raising taxes, but when urged to lower millage rates for citizens-something she had the power to do-she never ever did it! Bostock lost.
Bostock fought for door-to-door bus services for magnet parents and against a settlement with Rebecca McKinney's mother after her daughter was killed on US19. Bostock lost.
Bostock fought for expensive curriculum programs that don't work and against sensible cost effective initiatives that did work. Bostock lost.
So what did Bostock win?
Bostock won the fight for raise after raise for the infamous superintendent Clayton Wilcox and granted contract extension after contract extension until the school district was $400,000 in debt to the man that could not do his job.
Bostock won support for a bussing initiative that grandfathered all "choice" students in to the bussing program at a cost of a cool couple of million.
That Bostock is a FIGHTER! I guess if you like the battles she chooses to win you will be in good shape.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Kriseman the most liberal member of the house, and Rice the most liberal candidate for commission...match made in heaven
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 09:41 PM
What do you mean liberal? What is that?
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Rice still has this problem of saying in 20 words that which can be said in 10.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Kriseman is a do nothing.... I hope that's not what Rice wants to be.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Do Nothing? Hmmm. U SUre U know the guy?
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Kriseman is a "guy"?
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Apologies... he has done something... he's bilked me out of thousands of dollars every year I get my property tax bill.
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 09:28 AM
wow hes powerful
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Rene Flowers is just flat out mean. Council members she worked with knew her to be a bcak stabber and a gossip.
While I personally like Nancy Bostock, she has not handled her public office well.
Darden is highly intelligent. I like her values on the environment and most especially on open government. I'm voting for Darden.
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Bostock has not handled her family well either.
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I heard Turn-a-Trick Rick did a bang-up job on that insurance problem… oh; never mind.
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 01:23 PM
One race at a time. Darden is a clear choice over Rene in the August 26 primary. Then the main event. We have such an opportunity in the Tampa Bay area to elect two outstanding candidates, Darden Rice for Pinellas County Commission and Kevin Beckner for Hillsborough County Commission. That they are both openly gay says something about 2008 being a truly transformational year in politics.
Posted by: jjackso1 | July 12, 2008 at 12:02 PM