Candidate News

Local HD50 Candidate Shelly Leonard attends kick off for the Milk Party...

"Shelly Leonard at MIlk Party kick-off  By Martine Powers, Times Staff Writer
CLEARWATER - Shelly Leonard, 37, came to the launch of the "Milk Party" campaign Monday afternoon to find out one thing. What will the Children's Movement of Florida do to help local children with special needs? Leonard, a Clearwater resident, has two sons with muscular disabilities. She couldn't find adequate...

The purpose of the "Milk Party," DavidLawrence (leader of the movement & former Miami Herald publisher)said, is to encourage business leaders and politicians to push for issues such as quality children's health care and parent education.

Speaking out on oil disaster has given Sink's campaign a new focus

 In an June 18 article, writers Mary Ellen Klas and John Frank note that FLorida CFO and  Gubernatorial Candidate Alex Sink's fierce advocacy on behalf of small businesses adversely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon disaster has provided a needed focus and boosted her otherwise tepid campaign.

The article cites how Sink has "worked to position herself as the spokesperson for small businesses crippled by the catastrophe", including her tough criticism of both BP and the Administration.  In a meeting with President Obama, Sink told him to "take over the claims process" and "send BP the bill".  

... For months, her campaign was criticized for losing momentum as she cautiously avoid taking a position on health care reform and other issues until McCollum started raising more money and opened a lead in the polls. .... Sink's focus on the failures of the system to respond to businesses has gotten attention.  On the same day she sat at a picnic table with President Obama at a Pensacola pier, she earning television appearances in every major media market in the state and a beachside interview with MS-NBC's Dylan Ratigan.

 <<full article>> 

Justice sponsors Bill designed to help National Guard, families

Panama City News Herald.com April 1, 2010

Legislation that could provide need-based financial assistance to area Florida National Guard members and their families has passed the Florida Senate and is awaiting a full vote in the House. Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, sponsored Senate Bill 644, which authorizes a direct support organization to administer a newly created Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program for eligible National Guard members and their families. In a release, Justice said the initiative was designed to help National Guard members get need-based assistance through private donations.

--Read More--