The race for State Attorney (the prosecutor for Palm Beach County) has been all over the news, mainly due to the disturbing political tactics of Democrat Dave Aronberg. Based mainly on the facts about Aronberg and related concerns about independent candidate Robert Gershman, we have to endorse Republican Dina Keever for the office.
While we don’t agree with Keever on all the issues, she is clearly competent for the position with lengthy experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. Her service as editor-in-chief of the Florida State Law Review is a sign of smarts and hard work.
Most important, she seems to be clean. That’s a stark contrast to Aronberg and Gershman. The only knock we’ve seen against her is that her campaign manager is from the Republican Party, which seems pretty normal for a Republican candidate.
While competent as an attorney, Aronberg’s main qualification appears to be his years as a political insider. His negatives are overwhelming, with the Palm Beach Post demonstrating substantial evidence of his misconduct. He used his position in the State Attorney General’s office to attack current State Attorney Mike McAuliffe. He engaged in an intensive campaign against McAuliffe, coordinating with angry rich guy Marty O’Boyle. And he participated in threats to a sitting judge to intimidate her so she wouldn’t run for the State Attorney position.
And that’s just the stuff we know about. We hope that the citizens of Palm Beach County will recognize that this is not the kind of ethics we want heading the county prosecutor’s office.
Robert Gershman is also tainted by the connection with O’Boyle and his [O’Boyle’s] attacks on McAuliffe. Some have also criticized Gershman for a disciplinary “admonishment” from the Florida Bar in 2010. While that incident seems minor, it doesn’t help either. Like the others, Gershman has sufficient experience as a prosecutor.
But in the end Ms. Keever is the only one who is untainted. She arguably has the strongest qualifications based on her academic record and experience. We’d like her more if she spoke up for more sensible drug laws, but it’s rare to find a prosecutor who’d do that.
In general we do not expect to make many endorsements in political races but in this case we felt compelled to do so. Please vote for Dina Keever on November 6th.
Category: Politics
Area Members of Congress Show Hypocrisy
Two area members of Congress are in the news demonstrating hypocrisy and a lack of principle.
First, on the Democratic side of the aisle, Debbie Wasserman Schultz refuses to release any of her tax returns after criticizing Mitt Romney for not releasing more than two years of his own.
And on the GOP side, Allen West flip-flops on federal regulation of farms that produce eggs. If he was really a Tea Party guy he’d understand that this is not a federal issue. Instead he’s blowing in the wind of whatever district he represents and who’s giving him campaign contributions.
Not much from West Boca’s own Ted Deutch, but he did take part in the very important congressional resolution congratulating the Miami Heat. And one of his opponents criticized him for a website mistake.
Republican Candidate Jamboree July 21
The county GOP is having a candidate meet and greet event on July 21 from noon to 4 pm at 16700 Jog Road in Delray Beach.
Cost is $20 per person. Kids under 8 are free. The event includes “great food, music, family entertainment, face painting and souvenirs.”. The food will include BBQ.
Read more at PBC GOP.
If anyone can advise us of Democrat events we would be happy to post them as well.
Steve Perman on the West Boca Question
State Representative Steve Perman is the first to answer our West Boca Question.
Question 2:
The office you seek covers West Boca Raton and other communities. What issues do you see as particularly relevant for the residents of West Boca?
Answer:
I have just had the pleasure of speaking before the West Boca Community Council this past Tuesday morning at their “Meet Your Candidates” event. As the incumbent State Representative, West Boca resident and small business owner in this community for the past 17 years, I have noticed the sluggish economy and our cost-of-living issues weighing heavily each of us, though the recent drop in gas prices has been a welcome relief. Though West Boca may be more “upscale” compared with communities in other parts of the State, we are all still simply doing our best to safely raise our kids and get them the best education, live well and maintain our home values. My focus as a legislator has been on job creation and economic stimulation, affordable and accessible health care, fresh water supply, agriculture, and protecting those who are least able to protect themselves, children and senior citizens. These priorities have been well-reflected in the bills I have sponsored, co-sponsored and especially those that have been passed and signed into law.
Rep. Steve Perman
Senate Candidates at Boca Tea Party
The Palm Beach County Tea Party and South Florida 912 had an event tonight with candidates for State Senate at the Boca Greens clubhouse. It was very well attended, perhaps 200 people.
The Senate candidates relevant to West Boca Raton are Republicans Geoffrey Sommers and Melanie Peterson. There is also a Democrat running but he is not expected at this Tea Party event. Also present is Mike Lameyer, whose district is east of the Turnpike but doesn’t include West Boca.
1st question:
Regarding Gov. Scott’s plan on Obamacare and Medicaid, what would you do?
Melanie Peterson: I will stand with Gov. Scott. This is the best decision for Florida.
Mike Lameyer: Agree with Gov. Taxpayers would have to come up with $1.2B.
Geoff Sommers: With Gov. Scott. This would expand Medicaid rolls a lot. Favors private markets for health insurance.
Q2: Increase pension contribution and reduce other pension benefits? What would you do?
Lameyer: Govt employees should pay for their own retirement. State pension system is broke. Use 401k retirement plans.
Sommers: Private accounts the only way. Government workers should not get more than private sector workers. FL should remain a right to work state.
Peterson: Last year $300M into state pension, a big chunk to fix the gap. Have to have a conversation with state workers. They have to sacrifice too. Current system punishes self employed and small business owners.
Q3: Privatization of FL prison system?
Sommers: Privatize whatever can be done better by private sector.
Peterson: Crime at an all time low. Supports Gov. 100%.
Lameyer: Privatize wherever possible. Send officers back out on patrol.
Q4: State tax credits to green energy companies?
Peterson: Don’t like singling out a single industry. We need tax relief for everyone.
Lameyer: Supports free market development of energy resources.
Sommers: Oppose crony capitalism. Quoted from Peterson’s website where she supported tax breaks for windmills. Sommers claimed it would benefit a friend of Peterson.
Peterson denied this was a government break, and claimed this was a good project for us.
Q5: Education
Lameyer: Supports voucher program. That’s what creates competition.
Sommers: Hold schools accountable. Support school choice and charter schools where necessary.
Peterson: Education system is broken. Charter schools are doing well because privately run. Criticized FCAT and suggested privatizing Dept of Education.
(Big audience response in favor of Peterson on this)
Q6: Expand casino gambling?
Lameyer: I don’t gamble. If a community wants gambling we have to respect that. But claims casinos increase crime, drug abuse and more. And that every casino job causes loss of 1.2 jobs.
Peterson: If constituents want it have to respect it. But would try to educate voters about the balance and associated crime.
Sommers: Same view as the others. Expand gambling in a moderate way through existing licenses.
Q7: E-verify?
Sommers: Thumbs up. We have to work with federal government on immigration issues.
Peterson: Opposed to mandate from state. Should not be a state level decision. Hurts FL businesses competitively with other states. Guest worker program with closed borders. Opposes state benefits to illegals.
(This was a great answer to an audience that was initially dubious but she won them over.)
Lameyer: Used e-verify in his company. Supports it emphatically. Pointed to food stamps for non-citizens.
(Audience loved his answer).
Q8: Eliminate corporate income tax and all targeted tax breaks. (Americans for Prosperity pledge) You?
Sommers: I have signed that pledge and support it.
Lameyer: Support it. Let’s get some of these foreign car plants in FL.
Peterson: Gov. Scott on right track. Supports Amendment 4.
Q9: Veto of $143M in local project spending. Was he right?
Peterson: Yes
Lameyer: Yes.
Sommers: Criticized Abruzzo for bragging about bacon.
Q10: Citizens Insurance
Sommers: Depopulate Citizens – bring competition back in.
Lameyer: Bad idea then. Worse now. Bring other insurers back in.
Peterson: Reduce size of Citizens. Spoke at a technical level, about population density vs risk mitigation, rate modeling, undercapitalized, and more. Seemed more knowledgeable but audience eyes glazed over a bit.