Posted on 08/17/2006 7:22:38 AM PDT by FloridianBushFan
In the U.S. Senate primary, Rep. Katherine Harris has been touting key political endorsements from fellow Republican lawmakers. The problem is, some of them never endorsed her.
Several members of the U.S. House called the Harris campaign to complain Wednesday after the St. Petersburg Times notified them of the endorsements listed on Harris' Web site. Minutes later, their names were removed.
The list of politicians whose names came down includes Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville, Cliff Stearns of Ocala, Mark Foley of West Palm Beach and Jeff Miller of the Panhandle.
"The congressman has not made an endorsement in the Senate race," Miller spokesman Dan McFaul said.
Foley spokesman Jason Kello said his office did not allow Foley's name to be used nor did it ask for the name to be removed. He said Harris' staff told him they made a mistake.
Harris' campaign sent a letter to most House members last week, soliciting their endorsement in writing, which would allow the staff to use their names on literature and the Web site. But those contacted Wednesday said they never sent the letter back.
"Having run in a primary myself, I am reluctant to endorse one Republican over another," Stearns said. "I did receive the letter asking for my support, but I did not sign or return it."
Harris, a two-time congresswoman from Longboat Key, has had a tough time soliciting support even from members of her own party. Several prominent Republicans, including Gov. Jeb Bush, have publicly criticized her campaign and actively sought another candidate for the primary.
"They had originally said yes, but then they called to say they weren't endorsing anyone," Harris said Wednesday night at a political gathering in Winter Park.
A few minutes later, Harris said she checked with her staff and learned that the lawmakers had endorsed her but that it was before they knew she had three opponents in the Sept. 5 primary.
Harris is considered the front-runner in the primary against retired Adm. LeRoy Collins, Orlando lawyer Will McBride and Safety Harbor developer Peter Monroe, who all announced their intent to run on the last day to qualify in May. The winner faces Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November.
Harris has undergone a huge turnover in staff. Some staff members for the House members listed as endorsing her said the current employees blamed their predecessors for the mistake.
Chris Ingram and Glenn Hodas, who both recently worked on the Harris campaign, said Harris told them to use the endorsements of members even if they hadn't confirmed their support in writing.
Ingram now works for Harris' primary opponent, Collins.
For those who were posting the other day all of Harris endorsments on other threads it seems you were a little to quick on trying to show who all supports Harris. Some of the endorsements were not true.
We really need an independent (republican) candidate in Floria to run. I'd vote for KH if I thought she could win -- but she can't win.
Any Freepers up for the challenge of starting a 2 month campaign for the open Florida Senate Seat ;)
Heresy!!!!
It's Harris or nobody!!!!!!
Here comes proof....just read the following posts in the thread....
I was just down in Florida at my daughter's and Disney World. Harris was not liked by anyone I met and they cannot stand Nelson. Hope someone else gets the nomination.
There's still a primary in florida....
Well we can chalk this up to a loss....If she had put her butt in the seat she was elected to for a few more years....then we could have supported her better, but she wants to go to the top by next week....so she hurts the party by doing it...
That's who I told some people to vote for because it was the name I remembered seeing on here. Couldn't believe how many times I heard people say she was one of the worst candidates ever.
Do you believe the st pete times?
Yeaah your sister.
Stay away.
Slow in Your state too huh?
Nothing ggoing on aat your place either huh/
Go to DU
He sucks.
Haarley lady you got problems.
Well that's going to help me make up my mind. So much for Reagan's Rule.
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