Pinellas GOP says no to primary endorsements
Over the opposition of party chairman Tony DiMatteo, the Pinellas REC voted narrowly last night to not allow endorsements in primary contests. It was expected that the REC would be asked to endorse Neil Brickfield, a DiMatteo ally, over Jane Gallucci in the District 1 County Commission race. But according to DiMatteo, former party chair Paul Bedinghaus and Rep. Jim Frishe argued against the general practice of endorsing in primaries.
"It's divisive," Bedinghaus told Bay Buzz today. "It's exactly what we don't need, especially this year."
When a vote came to the floor, DiMatteo said, it was 58 votes against endorsing, 51 for with 10 abstentions.
"It’s not the end of the world," DiMatteo said. "You win some, you lose some. The wins that matter come in November."
Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, Bay Buzz offers the latest news on Tampa Bay politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
Ronald Reagan spins in his grave...
Posted by: Omega83 | July 15, 2008 at 10:45 AM
The Pinellas REC and The Meatball have been doing this for years! Interesting how it’s suddenly a problem… hmmmmm!
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Last night was the end of Tony as chairman and perhaps of neils campaign... Big blow to both
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Thats bad if the former vice chair cant muster an endorsement especially after all the pressure Tony put on people.
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I think people still understand that Paul Bedinghaus is a much more respected voice in the PCREC than Tony ever has been or will be. I liked Frishe speaking about it, seeing as Tony endorsed his opponent in his primary, lol.
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Frishe should run for Chairman
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Bedinghaus should run for chairman again
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Isn't that guy on Iron Chef America the Chairman?
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:22 PM
How many glasses of wine did Marilyn have to get over that fiasco last night?
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:39 PM
How many glasses of wine did Marilyn have to get over that fiasco last night?
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:39 PM
LOL
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Fat Tony and Pasco King Bunting are down for the count facing the same fate, well deserved!
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 01:52 PM
The PCDEC may be going the other direction. Having Rouson be Master of Ceremonies at the JJ Gala while he has a primary race might as well be an endorsement.
Posted by: csbrudy | July 15, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Too bad the PCREC has no guts!
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 06:50 PM
They shouldn't have two school board members in the races. If they endorsed Neil like they really wanted to, they would have taken Bostock down with Gallucci. The GOP has opened two weak fronts in the war, and now you can't help Brickfield.
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Irony: "It's divisive," Bedinghaus told Bay Buzz today. "It's exactly what we don't need, especially this year."
Just two years ago, I had to sit back and watch this county's party endorse Crist over Gallagher. I knew it would only take time before I was proved right on two fronts: endorsing in a primary is wrong; and Gallagher would be a better governor.
Posted by: | July 16, 2008 at 03:37 PM