Posted on 03/07/2012 2:39:17 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
A clerk of courts running for Congress in Florida told a group of Clay County Republicans earlier today that Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) offered him incentives to drop out of the race.
Clay County Clerk of Courts James Jett’s statements to the gathering, including that the FBI is already looking into the matter, were first reported by the political blog of Jacksonville’s Florida Times-Union.
According to those present at the South Clay Republicans meeting, which occurs the first Wednesday of each month at the Magnolia Point Golf & Country Club, Jett accused Stearns of using a middle man to offer him a position on Stearns’ campaign and payment to cover the amount Jett had already spent running for office if he dropped his bid in Florida’s redrawn 3rd district. Stearns’ office vigorously denied Jett’s allegations.
“Mr. Jett’s claim is totally unfounded — no one is authorized to make any claims or concessions on behalf of Rep. Stearns. He has not communicated with Mr. Jett at any time to get out of the race. This is a pure and simple political maneuver by Mr. Jett to illegally entrap former friends for vindictive reasons,” Press Secretary Paul Flusche said in a statement.
South Clay Republicans President Ann Wiggins said that “rumors had started to fly” since Jett told them at last month’s meeting about how Stearns had initially encouraged him to run in Florida’s 3rd district.
“I still think that it’s taken a lot of people by surprise,” Wiggins said. “After all Cliff Stearns has been our Representative for at least 20 years.”
Jett also told the group he had tape recordings of the exchange, which he could provide on request. Calls to Jett’s cellphone were not immediately returned.
(Excerpt) Read more at atr.rollcall.com ...
Political and electoral historians (you know who you are) may recall that something like this happened in California in 1986. There was a crowded Republican priamry to face the loathsome Alan Cranston and one candidate was accused of trying the same thing (Congresswoman Bobbi Fiedler to state Senator Ed Davis). The result was that both lost badly. How will this turn out? Who knows?
ping
Yikes. I hope this seat is safe, no rats running for it yet.
Thanks Clintonfatigued.
Whoops, thanks Impy!
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