Some hefty last minute spending in Pinellas

Not all campaign reports were available on the Pinellas SOE site for the period from Oct. 11 to Oct. 30 this evening, meaning several candidates decided to discreetly mail them in rather than hand deliver.

From what's available, though, it's evident whose been burning through war chests as Election Day nears.

Republican incumbent Sheriff Jim Coats spent $68,199 during the period. His Democratic challenger, Randall Jones, spent $8,203.

Republican incumbent Karen Seel in the Pinellas County Commission District 5 race spent $64,167. Her challenger Norm Roche spent $1,013.

And using a big loan of $25,000 to herself, Republican Property Appraiser candidate Pam Dubov spent $25,090. Democrat Ben Friedlander, her opponent, spent $15,533.

Will Van Sant, Times staff writer

Comments

[TRUE BLUE]

Money will not buy this election for the Republican candidates!!! THROW THEM OUT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO THE STATEHOUSE TO THE COURTHOUSE!!!

Is "Big Ben" still running? I cannot even imagine why he thinks he is qualified to be property appraiser! If Frank could not beat her then Ben will be a huge joke! Unless the people who say they hate partisanship vote only for the party! Pam wins in a landslide.

[god wow]

Look what I just found
www.bootcoats.com
it brought me to tears.

I guess our current Sheriff's friend got a DUI he he tried to get him out of it.

Crockett got the Repubs to pour a cool five grand into her school board campaign. Party switching has its advantages, I guess.

What's the payback to the Repubs for the five grand, Jennifer?

Vouchers, more private schools with no bussing for the "other" kids?

Maybe it's faith based programs for abstinence based sex ed-did Bostock introduce you around to her connections? Are you down with the churches (not on the south side) and the Sons of the Confederate?

We know you've bagged the Education Foundation.

What agenda must you push to pay back the monetary favors?

Don't confuse those Sons of the Confederate with real military veterans. Real military veterans fight for all Americans regardless of race, creed or gender. Your new friends don't recognize those veterans. Apparently it's okay for your new buddies to run them over and leave them in a pool of their own blood. Why? Well, to save their own butts of course.

Think of all you could do and become with a gang of supporters like this.

I hope your infamy is all you dreamed it would be!

Jennifer Crockett. Shame.

[Amy]

Sheriff Coats lost my vote this is some strong stuff www.bootcoats.com

Yes, Ben is still in the race and campaigning hard. It seems that integrity and ethics are still considered primary qualifications to be property appraiser. Really, look around and tell me that the most experienced candidate is who wins an election. Outspent like that by a woman candidate in Pinellas County, there's no question that the odds are even, at best, but just enough voters may feel the need to pass on the "accomplished accomplice" to the million dollar Jim Smith outrage.

[Vote Democrat]

I no longer have any faith in Sheriff's Coats. Interesting website too. Everyone has to start somewhere and I think this will be a perfect beginning for Sheriff Jones! I am crossing lines for Jones, so please do not disappoint me or in four years, you will be gone too.

Yes, Ben is still in the race and campaigning hard. It seems that integrity and ethics are still considered primary qualifications to be property appraiser. Really, look around and tell me that the most experienced candidate is who wins an election. Outspent like that by a woman candidate in Pinellas County, there's no question that the odds are even, at best, but just enough voters may feel the need to pass on the "accomplished accomplice" to the million dollar Jim Smith outrage.

[Tina]

I am voting Jones as well.

[Devon Raze]

Ben will be fine. Just wait till you see what hits on Monday.......

[Yougottabekidding]

Randall Jones

High School Graduate

FAILED the Sgt. exam with a score of 71

NEVER was promoted during 18 years of service

NEVER was in charge of more than 8 people

NEVER balanced a budget while a deputy

Sure...that's the guy we need to run a 1/4 billion dollar budget and oversee 3000+ employees. Sure...really...he's the guy!

OMG! LMAO! You gotta be kidding me.

Can't wait for Ben to make an a** out himself AGAIN! Every time he blabs about Pam's connection to Jim everyone laughs at him! He has NOTHING else he can talk about** he certainly has accomplished NOTHING in his entire life except he IS the expert in lies and talking bad about other people. Everyone in real estate who knows Ben knows he is a mean spirted person---and so is his wife that never smiles

Whaaaaaaaa Pam knew Jim Smith was guilty of nothing unethical (so say the courts)Backfired on you didn't it BenG

Randall Jones

High School Graduate (So I guess you are saying I am dumb becasue I only went to HS)

FAILED the Sgt. exam with a score of 71 (Big deal it is a test) (DO you have anything else on the guy?)

NEVER was promoted during 18 years of service (Well if you are not Coats friend you don't get the job) Ask Deputy Steven Wanger

NEVER was in charge of more than 8 people (so)

NEVER balanced a budget while a deputy (Coats does not he has 3 people doing that)

OMG! LMAO! You gotta be kidding me.

I think Ben is hot!

Hopefully if the Realtors try to do another piece bashing Pam, Mr. Edwards wont screw it up again.

[CoatstoWin]

6:02 is apparently one of the few people in Pinellas less qualified for the job than Jones. Subsequently...Jones is his or her hero.

Get a life.

[mathias]

You are correct about the Friedlander's - they are mean-spirited and frightening people. If he is elected, it would be a disaster. I have known him for nearly 10 years. Let's not let it happen.

The realtors support Pam for property appraiser over Ben. This is way too serious a problem for Pinellas County to have Ben Friedlander trying to do a CMA based on the MLS he screwed up so bad. Ben hasn't sold anything in years except property some estate attorney gives him and they tell him what to list it for. His campaign is a total joke! Honestly I can not imagine how he thinks he is qualified. Oh yeah he says he will be ethical. That is reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllly something to make us feel good about voting for him! The Democrats really screwed up by not putting a qualified candidate up for this position. We would have creamed her with almost ANYONE but Ben!!

11:07 You are truly an idiot?

9:48 The answer is yes.

[The truth]

Integrity is the issue in this election. From the White House on down, even life long Republicans are questioning the integrity of their leadership at all levels.

Dubov was in the thick of the appraiser's office when the Jim Smith land deal went down. She even accepted a contribution from the lawyer who played both sides of the rip-off. She managed not a peep. On the other hand, Ben Friedlander is not beholden to anyone.

Coats had the temerity to attempt to scaremonger the BOCC over his budget cuts, predicting "Carnage in the Streets" He also provided the leadership spirit that condoned Pikrameno's "Star" team, a unit that produced at least five arrests of peaceful protesters, none of whom the DA would prosecute.

Randall Jones has the mental stability and the moral outlook necessary to reform the working principles of the Sheriff's Department. He will not be writing letters to judges giving his positive opinion of defendents before the court, as Coats has.

It is a question of morals, and of integrity. The public, including very many Republicans with whom I've spoken, are sick and tired of the sleezy politics engendered by incumbent Republicans. Money won't matter this time, and the Vote Local campaign will succeed in cleaning Republicans out of our governence, from the White House on down.

11:59 Thank you Friedlander family. You are the only ones bloging for Ben.