Florida GOP Primary Winner for U.S. House Seat is Ex-Felon, Ineligible for Office

msn.com ^ | 11/5/21 | Aila Slisco

[cotton1706]

Republican Jason Mariner, the winner of this week's GOP primary election for a U.S. House seat in Florida, is reportedly a convicted felon who is ineligible to hold office in the state.

Mariner, 36, became the Republican nominee for Florida's 20th Congressional District after winning Tuesday's primary with 58 percent of the vote. His past as a convicted felon could be an issue in next month's special election, as Florida law only allows ex-felons to hold office or vote if they have formally applied to have their rights restored.

While the GOP nominee told Florida Politics on Thursday that he had done "nothing" to restore his rights, he insisted that not taking the legal step would have no bearing on his candidacy.

"It's not going to be an issue," Mariner told the outlet in an email. "As I am not an attorney or official in state government, it is not really my place to answer your legal or procedural questions about Florida law, applicable scenarios, etc., or advise you legally."

[cotton1706]

Ya see, it was perfectly ok for Alcee Hastings - federal judge impeached and removed from office for taking bribes - to be a congressman from Florida for over thirty years (he died in office earlier this year).

But he was a democrat, so nothing at all to be bothered about.

[ConservativeMind]

Direct link to Newsweek, the creator of the article:

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-gop-primary-winner-us-house-seat-ex-felon-ineligible-office-1646183

[phoneman08]

Desantos pardon incoming.

[1Old Pro]

I heard another guy in New England was elected to a town board and he is serving a 5 year jail sentence.

[ScottinVA]

Why in the hell can’t the GOP do a better job of vetting candidates??

[T-Bird45]

Excellent first comment on the thread to remind all of the sordid history in FL that allowed for the Hastings travesty. If you hadn’t already done so, I was certainly going there.

[Fish Speaker]

Perhaps his thinking is that since he will be a U. S. Representative, and not a state representative, that the stricture on state officeholders doesn’t apply?

[HighSierra5]

That’s a resume enhancement for a Rat.

[cotton1706]

“I heard another guy in New England was elected to a town board and he is serving a 5 year jail sentence.”

That’s nothing. James Michael Curley in MA was elected to office while he was in prison.

[al_c]

But ... Democrats WANT ex-felons to be able to vote and run for office.

Oh, wait ... unless they’re Republicans. Sorry - my bad.

[Brookhaven]

A state cannot set limits on who can hold a federal office.

[Joann37]

Exactly! All he needs to do is change parties and he’ll be fine!

[riverdawg]

“Perhaps his thinking is that since he will be a U. S. Representative, and not a state representative, that the stricture on state officeholders doesn’t apply?”

According to the article, the district is heavily Democrat, so the question of his eligibility to hold office likely won’t matter

[Reily]

Alcee also has “The Card” !

[Sirius Lee]

I heard another guy in New England was elected to a town board and he is serving a 5 year jail sentence.

You can't get elected in New England unless you are a felon, or are willing to engage in felonious behavior. Electing someone that can't be blackmailed is not useful to the PTB.

[william clark]

Since when does MSN care about a candidate’s legal eligibility for office?

[simpson96]

Yes! Pardon him, DeSantis.

[T.B. Yoits]

Being a felon didn’t stop former DC mayor Marion Barry from winning his election and serving in the position.

[TheConservativeTejano]

Ya see, it was perfectly ok for Alcee Hastings - federal judge impeached and removed from office for taking bribes - to be a congressman from Florida for over thirty years (he died in office earlier this year). But he was a democrat, so nothing at all to be bothered about.

Partner, we hear ya!

[paddles]

Write in Donald J. Trump.