Election 2002: Bush gets endorsement of Puerto Rican mayors [GOP and Dem leaders back Jeb!] (AP)

AP ^ | August 3, 2002 | Mike Branom

[summer]

Election 2002: Bush gets endorsement of Puerto Rican mayors

Saturday, August 3, 2002

By MIKE BRANOM, Associated Press

KISSIMMEE — In one of Florida's fastest-growing Latino communities, Gov. Jeb Bush landed the endorsement of the Puerto Rican Federation of Mayors on Friday.

Osceola County, where the sweltering morning rally was held, is booming with Hispanic immigrants, especially Puerto Ricans. About 30 percent of the county's 182,000 residents are Hispanic, and U.S. Census figures show Osceola led the state's Latino explosion with a 294 percent increase from 1990-2000.

"It is with great pride as governor that I see the booming Puerto Rican population in our state," Bush said.

Winning central Florida has always been crucial in statewide races, and now the region's flourishing Latino population adds a new factor.

"(The boom) has changed the whole atmosphere, the whole prospect of politics in this area here," Osceola County Commissioner Ken Smith said. "You can't take these folks for granted any more."

Said Bush: "It is apparent, both in terms of the population and the large number of people now that are registering to vote, that the Puerto Rican community has reached political maturity in central Florida, and will have an impact on local and state elections.

"And I'm happy about that."

However, Bush may face a bigger challenge in winning that bloc than when he beat Buddy MacKay four years ago, according to a Florida State University political science professor.

Lance deHaven-Smith said the Puerto Rican boom is tipping the region to the Democrats.

Ryan Banfill, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party, said: "Traditionally, Puerto Ricans are an important part of our constituency when it comes to the vote. But this is 2002 and you have to work for every vote you get."

The two front-running Democratic gubernatorial candidates are making sure they don't get left behind in garnering Puerto Ricans' support.

On Monday, Bill McBride will gain the backing of other Hispanic leaders from central Florida. And earlier this week, Janet Reno and Eddie Diaz — a Puerto Rican-born Congressional candidate in Orlando — swapped endorsements.

The Puerto Rican Federation of Mayors is an organization composed of 33 Democratic and Republican mayors from the island. Although the mayors themselves cannot cast ballots for Bush, they vowed to register voters and rally support for the incumbent Republican.

"Here in Florida, Latinos have been fortunate to have in Tallahassee a true friend, a man who understands 'la cultura' because he has lived it and married into it," said Carlos Mendez Martinez, mayor of Aguadilla and the federation's vice president.

Bush's wife, Columba, was born in Leon, Mexico.

Said Banfill: "The governor can have all the made-for-television endorsements he wants, but it doesn't change the fact he's on the wrong side of the issues Floridians care about."

[summer]

I know this endorsement must be driving the FL and national Dem leaders bananas. Puerto Rican mayors came out solidly for Gov. Bush -- both Dem and GOP mayors, according to other articles I read. I will post some additional links about this very interesting endorsement...BTW -- Way to go, Gov Bush! :)

[summer]

For a list of the names of the Dem and GOP Puerto Rican mayors supporting Gov. Bush, let's see if this link works --

Federation of Puerto Rican Mayors Endorse Bush

There was also a good article in the Orlando Sentinel quite recently about this latest endorsement.

[summer]

For index.

[summer]

Good photo on the source link of this article. :)

[shiva]

Are you listening, Janet?

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Amerigomag]

But this is 2002 and you have to work for every (Democratic) vote you get."

By this he means teaching them to read.

theemphasisismine

[summer]

No, of course she's not listening! LOL...but, your comment is right on the money:

Check out this excerpt from another article today - click here:

Election 2002: Hispanics, growing in electoral clout, weigh gubernatorial candidates

Sunday, August 4, 2002

By MIREIDY FERNANDEZ, mmfernandez@naplesnews.com

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno must overcome her handling of the Elian Gonzalez affair and other controversies still fresh in the minds of Florida voters if she wants to unseat Gov. Jeb Bush this election, some political observers say.

While Southwest Florida's Republican and Democratic leaders tout the differences between Bush and the Democratic front-runner Reno, both agree on one issue: Hispanics will play a crucial role in this year's gubernatorial race.

"The Hispanic vote is one of the most important voter blocs in the state of Florida," said Todd Harris, a Bush re-election campaign spokesman. "They are the fastest-growing demographics in the population and their vote can often make or break a campaign."

Nicole Harburger, Reno's campaign spokeswoman in Miami-Dade County, said Hispanic voters across the state have a lot at stake this election year.

"The Hispanic vote is a very important segment for us," she said. "We have a lot of registered Hispanic Democrats in central Florida and other areas and we're targeting those Hispanics." ....

[summer]

FYI! :)

[summer]

Andrew, Right now my computer is still in the shop and my freepmail inbox is overflowing, but I am look forward to checking out the URL you sent me. :)

[summer]

FYI, and check out the recent poll linked in this editorial

The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows -- Part 18: Jeb habla Espanol: "FL, Nuestra Casa" (See new TV ad here!)

[Miss Marple]

You know, you are doing a wonderful job with letting us know what's going on in Florida! I really appreciate it, especially when the national news is so darn negative!

I hope you are awarded a medal or something by Jeb. Thanks a lot for this latest news, which is really great!

[summer]

I am still waiting for any sign whatsoever of bi-partisian support for Janet Reno....I think that's going to be a very longggg wait...

From my link above:

Friday, August 2, 2002

Federation of Puerto Rican Mayors Endorse Bush for Governor

KISSIMMEE - Highlighting Governor Bush's growing bipartisan support, the Bush-Brogan 2002 campaign is pleased to announce the endorsement of the Federation of Puerto Rican Mayors, an organization composed of thirty-three Democratic and Republican Mayors from the Island of Puerto Rico.

Governor Bush accepted the endorsement of the Federation during an event at Archie Gordon Park in Kissimmee. Joining Governor Bush on Friday for the endorsement event were mayors from some of Puerto Rico’s largest cities including: City of San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini Padilla, City of Aguadilla Mayor Carlos Mendez Martinez, Vice President of the Federation of Puerto Rican Mayors, City of Aguas Buenas Mayor Buenaventura Davila, City of Bayamon Mayor Ramon Luis Rivera Cruz and City of Las Piedra Mayor Angel Peña Rosa.

“I am grateful for the endorsement of the Mayors of Puerto Rico,” Governor Bush said. “The Puerto Rican community is a vital and growing community in our state. As I did in 1998, I look forward to actively campaigning for the vote of Florida’s Puerto Rican community and obtaining the support of the Puerto Rican community once again.”

A full list of the mayors endorsing Governor Bush follows:....

[summer]

I hope you are awarded a medal or something by Jeb. Thanks a lot for this latest news, which is really great!

Thanks, Miss Marple! I will gladly accept your thanks and kind words as the only medal I need! :)!

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Sungirl]

JEB BUMP!

[summer]

Re my post #1 - Oh, I see this article DOES mention the bi-artisian nature of this support for Jeb! Great! I am typing so fast I forgot what I read! LOL... :)

The Puerto Rican Federation of Mayors is an organization composed of 33 Democratic and Republican mayors from the island. Although the mayors themselves cannot cast ballots for Bush, they vowed to register voters and rally support for the incumbent Republican.

[summer]

Re my post #1 - Oh, I see this article DOES mention the bi-partisian nature of this support for Jeb! Great! I am typing so fast I forgot what I read! LOL... :)

The Puerto Rican Federation of Mayors is an organization composed of 33 Democratic and Republican mayors from the island. Although the mayors themselves cannot cast ballots for Bush, they vowed to register voters and rally support for the incumbent Republican.

[summer]

Thanks, Sungirl! :)

[Amerigomag]

I am still waiting for any sign whatsoever of bi-partisian support for Janet Reno

Are you referring to political or gender or sexual preference?