In a somewhat surprising move, the Palm Beach Post has endorsed James Ryan O’Hara, the Republican candidate for State House in the district that includes West Boca.
I’ve met O’Hara several times and like him. His opponent, Kevin Rader, supports more sales taxes on the middle class. That would seem like an odd position but it’s common among Florida Democratic candidates and the district does lean Democrat.
O’Hara has an uphill battle, and not only because of the partisan disadvantage. Money is a big issue. O’Hara doesn’t have much of it, while Rader is the darling of all kinds of special interests.
I was surprised by the endorsement because I’m used to newspapers endorsing incumbents and favorites. Just like its endorsement of Dina Keever and intensely critical coverage of Dave Aronberg, the Post is demonstrating real independence. We need more of that in the media.
