Free Republic

Democrat Andrew Gillum holds a 6-point lead over Ron DeSantis (R) in the hotly contested gubernatorial campaign in Florida, according to a new poll. The Reuters–Ipsos–UVA Center for Politics poll found that 50 percent of voters surveyed support Gillum, compared to 44 percent who back DeSantis. The remaining percentage of voters said they support a different candidate or did not indicate support for any candidate. Gillum and DeSantis are running to replace outgoing Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is term-limited and running for Senate. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the gubernatorial contest a “toss-up.” The Reuters...

TALLAHASSEE - He's a fixture on political TV ads, Web sites and glossy mailers, but he's not running for office. Jeb Bush is far and away the most heavily-promoted politician on the campaign trail in Florida in 2006 as candidates scramble for a place in the shadow of the popular governor. Bush isn't asking for your vote, because he can't seek re-election. But his consistently high approval ratings make him the gold standard for Republican candidates eager to solidify their conservative credentials. In the Republican primary race for governor, Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher have used the words "Jeb Bush"...

You will hear a lot from the Democrats running for governor about what Jeb Bush and Florida Republicans have done wrong over the past seven years. Do they think Bush did anything right? Turns out yes. "I thought Jeb Bush's hurricane responses under the circumstances were good," state Sen. Rod Smith said in a Political Connections interview airing today on Bay News 9. "I didn't agree with much of what he proposed (for restricting medical malpractice lawsuits), but in working with him I think he seriously wanted to see if we could stabilize medical risk in this state. I think...

SAN FRANCISCO -- Director Rob Reiner said Wednesday he will not be a candidate for governor in 2006, putting to rest rumors of a potential "Meathead vs. Terminator" showdown with Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I've made a definite decision that it's not something I'm going to do," Reiner said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. Reiner, the director of hit films that include "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men," said concerns about his family and a desire to focus his political energies on passing a ballot initiative establishing universal preschool for California children had persuaded...

(1) Daryl Cagle, Slate.com (2) Walt Handelsman, Long Island, NY, Newsday (3) Steve Sack, Minnesota, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune (4) Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey -- The Record (5) John Cole, Durham, NC -- The Herald-Sun (6) Dana Summers, Orlando, FL, (7) Bill Schorr, United Media (8) Jeff Stahler, The Cincinnati Post, Ohio (9) Bill Schorr, United Media (10) R.J. Matson, NY, The New York Observer (11) Mike Keefe, The Denver Post (12) John Cole, Durham, NC -- The Herald-Sun

Bredesen snubs law, kicks in $1 million Democrats say Hilleary broke liquor-money vow By Tom Humphrey, News-Sentinel Nashville bureau October 18, 2002 NASHVILLE - Democrat Phil Bredesen said Thursday he has provided $1 million to his gubernatorial campaign and stands ready to spend more to counter negative ads against him. Republicans denounced Bredesen's move as a violation of law that limits gubernatorial candidates to $250,000 in self-financing per election. Bredesen spokesmen said the law is patently unconstitutional and is not being enforced by state officials. Republican nominee Van Hilleary, meanwhile, was criticized by Democrats for collecting contributions from liquor- and...

<p>In the statewide battle to become governor, one candidate has been trying to make Nashville's recent tax history a campaign highlight film.</p> <p>Over the airwaves and even on the side of a mobile billboard, state Republicans paint former Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen as a man eager to boost taxes, despite his vigorous claims otherwise and despite assertions by campaign staff that two tax hikes were for schools — ''an investment in Nashville's children.''</p>

The Tennessean Bredesen, Hilleary spar in morning debate By Bonna de la Cruz Staff Writer Democrat Phil Bredesen and Republican Van Hilleary, candidates for governor, sparred on a morning talk radio show today, belittling each other's political records and leadership abilities. Hilleary, a U.S. congressman, said Bredesen is ''arrogant'' to not take the income tax issue off the table in a second term as governor. He said Bredesen would be just like Gov. Don Sundquist, who switched to supporting an income tax during his second term. Bredesen, Nashville's former mayor, said he opposes an income tax and said a Hilleary...

Send an email to this Dem FL Teacher [FL's "2001 Teacher of the Year"] Who Publicly Supports Jeb Written by summer - a form Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher Wow! There was such a positive response to my FR article yesterday - FL Teachers Union Goes Ballistic Over: New TV ads, showing FL "Teachers of the Year" Support Jeb that I thought some of you might want to write a brief email of support to these outstanding FL teachers publicly endorsing Jeb. Consequently, today I'm introducing you to the first of these five distinguished teachers: Joe...

FL Teachers Union Goes Ballistic Over: New TV ads, showing FL "Teachers of the Year" Support Jeb Written by summer - a former Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher For those of you wondering what's new in the FL gov race, the answer is: two new GOP TV commercials, showing Gov. Jeb Bush and four of FL's "Teachers of the Year" endorsing Jeb for governor. The fact these FL teachers -- who are so well qualified and knowledgable -- support our current GOP governor has caused the FL Teacher's Union president to go bananas. She has actually...