GOP Congressional District 9: Quinones gets McCollum endorsement; Melendez gets two nods

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 6/7/12 | Scott Powers

[randita]

GOP Congressional District 9: Quinones gets McCollum endorsement; Melendez gets two nods

Uncategorized — posted by scottpowers on June, 7 2012 4:54 PM

Former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has endorsed Osceola County Commissioner and former State Rep. John Quinones in the multi-person race for the Republican nomination to run for Congress in the new District 9.

Meanwhile, one of Quinones’ opponents, Osceola County School Board Vice Chairman Julius Melendez, announced endorsements from his board’s Chairwoman Barbara Horn and from State Rep. Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island).

Former Congressman Alan Grayson is running on the Democratic side. The district takes in much of eastern Orange County, all of Osceola County and northeast Polk County. Two other Republicans, Todd Long of Orlando and Mark Oxner also are running, as is independent candidate Mike Nieves.

Said McCollum in a release issued by Quinones’ campaign:

“John Quinones will be a strong voice for our conservative principles in Washington,” McCollum, who served as a Congressman from Central Florida, said. “We need the leadership in our nation’s Capitol that John has exhibited in Tallahassee and on the Osceola County Commission. His discipline on the budget and hardline on tax reform will be good to have in Washington. Further he has made it clear that on day one he will work to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with a system that puts doctors and patients back in charge. As a former Congressman I know John Quinones has what it takes to be a strong conservative leader in Washington.”

[randita]

This is a crowded GOP primary race and the winner will face the lunatic Alan Grayson.

Nice to see Quinones getting a high profile endorsement.

[randita]

Quinones’ state website:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4273

[Clintonfatigued]

Nothing against Juliu Melendez, but John Quinones seems to be the stronger candidate.

[Impy]

Melendez would have no chance in November. And I wouldn’t think he or the 3 random other candidates have any chance in the primary.

[MindBender26]

John Q is the real deal. He is the only R that can beat that bastard Greyson in this hispanic leaning district.

Greyson will use his millions to buy TV time to win the Dem primary, but Big John can beat him in the general.

[AuH2ORepublican]

The CD leans strongly Democrat, and our only chance is to win a lot of Democrat votes, and particularly by winning a large majority of the Puerto Rican vote in Kissimme, Poinciana and parts of Orlando John Quiñones is a top-tier candidate, well known in many parts of the district and with a proven conservative record. A few years ago, he was elected and reelected to the state house from a Democrat-leaning district in Kissimmee that not only was majority Puerto Rican but also a notable black population; he then ran for and won a seat in the Osceola County Commission. John Q was the best possible recruit for this district, and almost certainly the only Republican who can win the district.

[randita]

Does the newly drawn FL-09 include the district that John Q. represents in the state house? If so, then he already has a nice base of support from which to draw.

And Grayson is a revolving you know what. He is very wealthy, but even with plenty of campaign cash, he did not fare well in 2010 in the old FL-08.

Daniel Webster (Rep) 123,586 (56.1%)
Alan Grayson (Dem) 84,167 (38.2%)

[AuH2ORepublican]

Yes, the FL-09 includes I believe all of John Q’s old state house district.

[Airbornejonny]

Some of these comments are ridiculous. John Quinones only represented a sliver of the district, specifically a part Hunters Creek. Secondly Melendez killed Quinones in every debate. Mostly for two reasons, Quinones didn’t have a command or even basic knowledge of the important issues and because he could not articulate himself in English. Secondly, Quinones is a completely unrealistic candidate. I lost his election for county commission on election day even after out raising his opponent by $60k. His Democratic opponent had $3k total! he ended up fighting the case in court and won by 50 votes. He exemplifies exactly what people do not like about congress. a lifelong ineffective career politician who cares about his career, not serving the people.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"John Quinones only represented a sliver of the district, specifically a part Hunters Creek."

-----------------

Here's a map of Florida's House District 49 as drawn in 2002, which John Quiñones represented from 2003 to 2007 prior to resigning in order to run (successfully) for the Osceola County Commission:

Yes, District 49 included most (if not all) of Kissimmee, as well as many Hispanic communities in southern Oranage County. Most of District 49 falls within the boundaries of the new 9th Congressional District:

So how has John Quiñones only represented "a sliver of the district"?

"Melendez killed Quinones in every debate. Mostly for two reasons, Quinones didn’t have a command or even basic knowledge of the important issues and because he could not articulate himself in English."

____________________

I didn't watch the debates, so I have no idea whether your perception was correct. However, I find it hard to believe that John Quiñones, who was an eloquent orator in the Florida Legislature, "could not articulate himself in English." Yes, he has a bit of an accent, but you should check your prejudices at the door. I also find surprising that after representing Central Florida in the Florida House of Representatives and as chairman of the Osceola County Commission that Quiñones doesn't have "basic knowledge" of the issues; I would take you at your word had you not already proven not to be the most objective source of information when it comes to Mr. Quiñones.

As for your point about Quiñones being an "unrealistic" candidate because he nearly lost a county commission race, you forgot to mention that it was a special election in April of 2007, when the GOP was at its lowest point in Central Florida since at least Watergate. Quiñones had been elected to the Florida House from a Democrat-leaning district in 2002 and, remarkably, was reelected in 2006 while Republicans were getting wiped out nationwide. And he did win the April 2007 election to the Osceola County Commission, and was reelected in 2010 (although, of course, he had the wind in his back for that reelection).

Julius Menendez may be a fantastic candidate on the stump, but he's never run a race for anything bigger than a school board election. If he wins the nomination, I will gladly support him, but I'd rather nominate someone who knows how to raise money and win elections and who proved during his years as a Representative that he will vote as a conservative. The new FL-09 will not be easy to win--Obama got 60% in the district in 2008--so we don't have much room for error.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Stupid white boxes with Xs in them. Let me just post the links to the maps.

Here’s the map of Florida’s House District 49 as drawn in 2002, which John Quiñones represented from 2003 to 2007 prior to resigning in order to run (successfully) for the Osceola County Commission:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Web/District/H406H020_district_49.pdf

And here’s the map of the new 9th Congressional District:

http://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Session/Redistricting/Plans/H000C9047/H000C9047_map_ec.pdf

[fieldmarshaldj]

You signed up today just to post an attack on Quiñones ?

[randita]

And even came up with a handle that leads one to think he is/was military. He’s been called out. Doubt he’ll be back.

[Impy]

You and your tag line are what’s ridiculous.

Quinones can win this seat, other dude (do you work for him?) can’t. Both are conservative. Discussion over.

[Impy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKwtSxkDxgo

Does that sound like Spanish to you?

[Airbornejonny]

It’s obvious all of you work for Quinones. Even his mother won’t vote for him at this point. One word describes Quinones — “disappoint.” As far as my military record you’ll find stories about my record on this very site...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1565831/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1417776/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1465713/posts

[Impy]

It’s obvious all of you work for Quinones.

Oh yeah? If you see him tell him I haven't received my paycheck.

Even his mother won’t vote for him at this point.

??? WTH is your problem? Are you his neighbor? Did his dog poop on your lawn? You seem to have some personal reason for disliking this man. Whatever it is it's not relevant to me and I suspect no one else here gives a damn either. We care about winning this seat and keeping that bastard Alan Grayson from returning to once again pollute congress.

[Clintonfatigued]

I wonder why Quinones isn’t getting more publicity? He’s running against a verifiable nutcase.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Thank you for your service.

Did you get the chance to check out the maps for House District 49 (which John Quiñones represented from January 2003 until April 2007) and for the redrawn FL-09? And did you notice that all of Osceola County is in the FL-09? Still think that John Quiñones has represented “only a sliver” of the district?

And do you still maintain that John Quiñones cannot speak articulately in English?

You’re entitled to your opinion, and can campaign for whomever you wish, but you’re not going to convince many conservatives not to support Quiñones by posting things that can be debunked in five minutes.