Tom Slade endorses Paula Dockery for governor

State Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland, who recently stepped up to challenge Attorney General Bill McCollum for the Republican nomination for governor, announced a name-brand endorsement today: Former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Tom Slade.

Slade, who lives in Jacksonville and headed the state party during the 1990s, is known as a straight-talking maverick -- a perfect fit for Dockery's antiestablishment campaign.

"McCollum is a nice guy, but I think he would be better in the U.S. Senate, where I think his skills are better suited,'' Slade says in a press release. "But I think Paula would do a better job of being governor. She's got the kind of tenacity you need, and she's got the knowledge."

He added: "Paula would be better position to win the general election than her opponent. She has a delightful personality and a pleasantness that is rare in most politicians."

Dockery remains a longshot, but this endorsement has got to bug the McCollum camp, coming one day before he addresses the Republican Governors Association's annual conference in Texas. McCollum, who is trailing Sink in fundraising, could use the heft of a group like the RGA behind him.

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Putnam's bandwagon grows

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam is adding to his hefty list of supporters in his bid for agriculture commissioner. This time it's three well-known Republican names. His 2010 campaign announced today endorsements from former state GOP chairmen Tom Slade and Carole Jean Jordan and Republican National Committeeman Paul Senft.

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Four more sheriffs endorse Kottkamp for A.G.

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp on Thursday reeled in the endorsements of four more sheriffs in his quest to be the Republican nominee for attorney general in 2010. The Kottkamp campaign announced the support of sheriffs Rich Nugent of Hernando County, Brad Steube of Manatee, Bill Farmer Jr. of Sumter and Mike Adkinson of Walton. 

"As a sheriff, I have seen politicians who have made empty promises in the past," Adkinson said in a statement released by the campaign. "I trust Kottkamp to be tough on criminals, cracking down on drugs, gangs and Internet predators who present dangers to the citizens of Florida."

Kottkamp earlier announced the support of 14 other sheriffs. He is opposed by former state Rep. Holly Benson of Pensacola, who served as a state agency secretary under Gov. Charlie Crist. Hillsborough Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi is also considering joining the Republican primary.

 

  

U.S. Rep. Bill Young won't endorse hometown guy, Charlie Crist

Marco Rubio zipped into Pinellas County tonight - his third Tampa Bay stop in a week - and enthralled 400 or so hard core activists in Charlie Crist's home county. Interesting that he pretty much compared Barack Obama to Fidel Castro - but made a point of stressing that he was not comparing Fidel to Barack. Either way, the crowd loved him.

C.W. Bill Young, Charlie Crist's congressman and not-so-short lister for a U.S. Senate appointment, said he steers clear of primary endorsements (though he endorsd Bill McCollum for governor) even in cases like this where a hometown guy is running. But Beverly Young, his wife, offered her own thoughts after Rubio’s rousing speech.

"I love Marco,’’ she gushed.

"She’s not endorsing either," said the congressman, ushering her away.

"I love Marco,’’ she repeated before disappearing out the door.

Club for Growth endorses Marco Rubio

It would have been bigger news if the Club for Growth didn't endorse Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate, but the endorsement announced today is still a big deal for Rubio. The PAC could funnel millions of dollars toward the Miami Republican's campaign. The group concluded that A) Rubio can beat Charlie Crist in the primary and B) that he can beat Kendrick Meek in the general. Here's the full statement:

“Marco Rubio is the real deal, one of the brightest young stars in American politics today, and a proven champion of economic liberty,” said Club President Chris Chocola.  “He is a dynamic spokesman for the principles of limited government and economic freedom, and he will make a fantastic Senator.” 

Wrestler supports Brian Blair's opponent in District 47 race

Some rivalries never die. Professional wrestler Jimmy Hart, who in the past has faced Brian Blair in the ring, is now backing his opponent in another contest. Hart said he's throwing his weight behind Irene Guy in the 2010 Republican primary for Florida's District 47 state House seat. Blair is also running for the post. Hart was part of the Hart Foundation wrestling team when Blair was one of the Killer Bees.

"I hope I don't get drop-kicked by Brian Blair," Hart said during a phone interview from California, his latest stop on a book-signing tour with Hulk Hogan. Hart met Guy last month when the two volunteered at an event sponsored by Computer Mentors, a non profit that helps underprivileged children gain technological skills. The two are pictured here with Ralph Smith, executive director of Computer Mentors. (Smith is the one in the middle.)

"My main thing is this -- when I met the lady, she came across as very real," Hart said. "She seemed to really know what she was talking about." Hart, who lives in Tampa but not Guy's district, said he hasn't spoken to Blair about what he might like to accomplish in the Florida legislature. "I've known Brian for a long time. I love him to death," Hart said. "But in this case, I think Irene has something to offer."

Blair said Hart apparently still wants to be the bad guy. "He was my arch enemy," Blair said, calling Hart a "far-left liberal" who endorsed Barack Obama. "If he wants to carry on from the 80s and early 90s, we can do that," he said. 

And in case you Buzz readers are wondering, Hart and the Hulk will be at the Barnes and Noble on U.S. 19 in Clearwater at 7 pm. Monday for a book-signing.

Wexler endorses Ted Deutch for Congress

U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, threw his support today behind Ted Deutch to replace him in Congress. Deutch was also endorsed by U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ron Klein and Alcee Hastings.

“Ted will be a leader in Congress on critical national security issues including supporting the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel," Wexler said. "Ted understands the threat posed to the United States and Israel by a nuclear Iran, and he has been a national leader on the issue through the passage of his landmark legislation mandating that the retirement funds of Florida workers can not be used to support Iran’s illicit quest for nuclear weapons.”

Wexler recently announced he will quit Congress in January to take a job with the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation.

Alex Sink, Corrine Brown endorse Kendrick Meek in Senate race

Democratic Chief Financial Officer and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink: I am pleased to endorse Congressman Kendrick Meek as a candidate for U.S. Senate. During his time in the state Legislature, Kendrick worked diligently to improve Florida's schools. As a member of Congress, Kendrick has worked on behalf of Florida's families, making his voice heard of issues of housing and providing economic opportunities for Floridians. He has been a strong advocate for Floridians in Congress and I am confident will continue to work tirelessly for the people of Florida as their next U.S. Senator.

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville: I look forward to campaigning alongside Congressman Meek and working together to deliver the crucial votes in north and central Florida needed for his victory. I have known Kendrick for many years, and his mother, my former colleague Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, is a close personal friend. Kendrick and I have worked together in the House and I know we will work together when he gets to the Senate. I am confident that he can beat Charlie Crist and provide our state with principled leadership in the U.S. Senate.

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14 sheriffs back Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp for attorney general

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, seeking to build momentum in anticipation of a likely Republican primary fight from former Rep. Holly Benson in the race for attorney general, is touting the endorsements of 14 Florida sheriffs. They include David Morgan, sheriff in Escambia County, which includes Benson's hometown of Pensacola. 

Among the other notables supporting Kottkamp are Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti (appointed to his post by Gov. Charlie Crist, following Ken Jenne's resignation); Duval's John Rutherford; Pasco's Bob White; and Sheriff Mike Scott in Kottkamp's home county of Lee (Fort Myers/Cape Coral).

The other sheriffs represent Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, Flagler, Hardee, Holmes, Nassau, Santa Rosa and Seminole counties.

Endorsements by sheriffs are highly prized in all statewide races, but particularly by candidates for attorney general, who emphasize their support for strong law enforcement measures.

(Historical footnote: Bob Butterworth used his network of sheriff contacts as the ex-sheriff of Broward County as a springboard to election as AG in 1986. It's largely forgotten that he got in the race very late and was given little chance of winning against then-state Sen. Edgar Dunn of Ormond Beach). 

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About that police union support for Charlie Crist

The Charlie Crist campaign has an announcement this afternoon in Jacksonville at the Fraternal Order of Police office, and we presume the FOP will be endorsing Crist for the U.S. Senate just as the Police Benevolent Association has. The announcement reminded me of the interesting note I received this weekend from a colleague, Andy Boyle, who happened to be dining at Chick-fil-A in St. Petersburg on Saturday, alongside a bunch of guys in Fraternal Order of Police T-shirts.

"One guy ...  was talking about Rubio vs. Crist. He said that officially as organizations they're supposed to back Crist, but they are going to individually donate money to Rubio. And this guy mentioned they should try to do it via their wives, that way it wouldn't be as traceable to them," Boyle recounted.

Take it with as many grains as salt as you wish. But understand: What happens at Chick-fil-A doesn't necessarily stay at Chick-fil-A.

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