Rouson misses candidate's forum; firefighters pick McKenzie

State Rep. Darryl Rouson skipped out on a candidate's forum in Sarasota Monday evening, even though he told organizers he would be there.

Leon Harris, president of the Sarasota-Manatee Democratic Black Caucus, said Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, never called to cancel the appearance.

"He said he would be there," said Harris.

But Rouson, who is running for reelection against the Rev. Charles McKenzie, said it was simply a scheduling error. He said he received an email that stated the debate was being held on Aug. 28. Rouson forwarded the email to Bay Buzz.

"I would never deliberately, purposely, blow off an organization that invited me to speak in Sarasota, the backyard of Charles McKenzie," he said.

Rouson said he called the black caucus this morning to set the record straight and to apologize.

Meanwhile, the Florida Professional Firefighters and the Pinellas County Council of Firefighters endorsed McKenzie this week.

"The Florida Professional Firefighters and the Pinellas County Council of Firefighters share my commitment to public service and the labor movement," said McKenzie in a statement.

The District 55 Democratic Primary is Aug. 26.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Comments

Isn't Wengay Newton's brother is the fire union president?

Nice Grammar

yep

"He said he was told the debate was being held on a later date."

Well Darryl, that's easy enough to fix. Exactly who told you that?

Nonono, let me guess... it was a guy who goes by the name of "someone".

Congrats Charles!

Leave my Grammar out of this, she's a nice old ho!

The firefighters are so disorganized that this is not a surprise.

I bet you wont be calling them "disorganized" when they risk their life to pull you useless rearend out of a burning building, that you set on fire with your crack pipe... d.

All unions are mad at Rouson because he supports amendment 5. They do not care if the people of florida need a decrease in property taxes, all they care about is their retirement. Teachers union, firefighters union and police unions-- they only care about money coming into their union not into the taxpayers pocket.
But guess what? Teachers, firefighters and police are voting for amendment 5! They want the saving in their pocket not the unions!

But wait!… I thought Amendment 1 took care of all that? Hahahahahahaha…

How’s that $240 working out for y’all?

Ready for another screw job?

Hahahahahahaaa….

… what a bunch of dopes… you pinheads would buy sand in a desert

Hmmm... Mr. Rouson got an email stating the debate was on August 28th, but it was really on July 28th. Perhaps "someone" should inform him that the primary election is on August 26th. Reverend McKenzie will NOT have time to debate after the election, as he will be preparing to take office. Nice try Darryl, but the people in Sarasota and Manatee already know what the Pinellas voters are starting to realize, that McKenzie is the best candidate in this election!!

That is hilarious! August 28th debate? I wonder who is the smart guy/gal who slapped this on his calendar two days after the election without questioning it.

Nice campaign, Darryl. I hope you have someone different running the state rep's office.

guys if you had a brain you would know that their is an elction in november called the general election

Yeah, the primary winner vs. a write-in candidate lmao

Do you mean the write in candidate who got less than 10% of the vote last time and did not show up for any of the debates?

Or, did you mean that Mr. Rouson wanted to debate Reverend McKenzie after the primary just for the fun of it?

hmm...I know Mr.Rouson has been sticking the pic he paid for with Barack Obama on all his literature as if Obama is supporting him. Since Mr. Rouson is providing such close political advice to Senator Obama, maybe he could get the Senator to schedule a debate with Senator McCain sometime in March, 2009.

Now THAT... is funny!

lol

[csbrudy]

McCain endorses Rouson? Or is that just in spirit only?