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Suit Aims to Keep Harris Off Ballot
AP via Yahoo ^
| August 15, 2002
Posted on 08/15/2002 7:50:33 PM PDT by Fixit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Katherine Harris' opponent in the Republican primary for a Florida congressional seat sued Thursday to have the former secretary of state kicked off the ballot.
The lawsuit argues Harris should be removed from the ballot because she violated a state law that required her to file a letter of intent to resign as secretary of state when she qualified to run for Congress.
If Harris were disqualified from the Sept. 10 primary, John Hill, the former television anchor who filed the suit, would automatically win the GOP nomination.
Harris called the lawsuit frivolous. "It is a shame Mr. Hill is wasting taxpayer dollars," she said in a statement.
Harris resigned Aug. 1, saying she had misunderstood the resignation letter rules. She should have filed a letter July 15 stating her intent to step down before the next Congress takes office in January, but didn't.
Harris hopes to succeed GOP Rep. Dan Miller, who is retiring from the heavily Republican district in central Florida after four terms. Four newcomers are vying for the Democratic nomination.
TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: harris; herewegoagain
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To: Fixit
I haven't yet seen this info posted - please forgive if this is redundant:
BY LAW here in FL if someone does not submit a letter of intended resignation in this type of situation they are automatically resigned. Basically stated: there is a failsafe in the system and when she forgot or overlooked that point her resignation was no longer a matter of choice. Thus there can be no illegality in her failure to submit a letter of resignation. When the law includes such an 'if-then' clause by inference the statute allows the action as optional. For those who still don't get it, or don't want to get it .... this is akin to a pocket veto - the inaction is in and of itself an action under the law and therefore her conduct was legal.
To: Hed
Why?
To: SBeck
WOW ! You mean to tell me that politicians are self serving ? I'm floored ...... I believe I asked you your opinion . Who and where are these men and women who are better qualified ?
63
posted on
08/16/2002 11:06:18 AM PDT
by
Ben Bolt
To: Hed
Your comment that she supports the Bushes is all I need to know about why you dislike Harris.
I am glad to know your opinion is almost unheard of in Sarasota.
Comment #65 Removed by Moderator
To: RightFighter
Which brings up an interesting question - why do concealed weapons permits get issued through the Department of State rather than the Attorney General's office? Because the Division of Licensing is under the Department of State.
To: SBeck
Sorry, but that doesn't wash. Ms. Letter of the Law must be so squeaky clean that her farts are lavender scented. Anything less will be seen as hypocrisy. By the way, can't the party do better than her? She has now complied with the letter of the law and the punishment (resigning from office) has occured. There is nothing in the law that says she is disqualified to run.
Comment #68 Removed by Moderator
To: xzins
If she didn't follow the law, then she needs to find a legitimate way around it. She did follow the law and she risigned from office. That was her punishment according to the law. She will be on the ballot , thats the law.
To: Hed
Most intelligent Floridians, thou we may be few and far between, would not vote for KH if she were the last person on earth. You are obviously part of that "smart" voting block who don't know how to punch a ballot. Spare me your wisdom.
To: BlueNgold
'Ya just stole the wind from the " I'll never be satisfied " crowd . I'll throw in the trolls and the rest of the alphabet soup malcontents .
Good post and thank you for the clarification !
71
posted on
08/16/2002 11:18:05 AM PDT
by
Ben Bolt
To: gcruse
Thanks for the uptick, a$$hole. Anytime.
To: BlueNgold
You post deserves repeating....thank you.
BY LAW here in FL if someone does not submit a letter of intended resignation in this type of situation they are automatically resigned. Basically stated: there is a failsafe in the system and when she forgot or overlooked that point her resignation was no longer a matter of choice.
Thus there can be no illegality in her failure to submit a letter of resignation. When the law includes such an 'if-then' clause by inference the statute allows the action as optional. For those who still don't get it, or don't want to get it .... this is akin to a pocket veto - the inaction is in and of itself an action under the law and therefore her conduct was legal.
To: SBeck
When her real estate special interests successfully lobby her to roll back the legislation aimed at saving the Everglades and your property turns into a sand dune, you can hold your head up high and say, "she's my gal".
Radical environmentalist gobbledy-Gook.
74
posted on
08/16/2002 11:56:59 AM PDT
by
saminfl
To: saminfl
Radical environmentalist gobbledy-Gook. Really? Well Jeb Bush, a guy I'm voting for, is all for it, I guess that makes him a radical. Of course, he's politically saavy enough to know that the Everglades and Florida's environment is our state's third rail if a politician doesn't support its reconstitution. (Incidentally, big bro George tried to suck up to this issue by buying back the off shore rights - unlucky for him that he already lost my vote to another issue).
75
posted on
08/16/2002 12:03:47 PM PDT
by
SBeck
To: SBeck
Hate to break your bubble- but John Mica was in real estate in the 70's- before he served in the Florida Legislature. He also was an early entrepreneur in cellular phones, and international trade.
He has been a fine public servant for more than 25 years- despite this "flawed" history- as you personally attest.
Perhaps you should rethink your prejudices.
To: JulieRNR21
since Harris' office as SOS will no longer be elected; her resignation date doesn't seem critical to me. She is supposed to be in charge of enforcing the election laws. Why shouldn't she have to obey them?
To: JulieRNR21
The Democrats looked at this carefully- and acknowledged there was no grounds to sue. Even the infamous Mark Herron admitted there was none.
Butterworth is covered under a different part of the statute (state and federal offices have different rules)- so he isn't out of the woods yet.
This political newcomer files suit to get some name recognition- my guess is, it will backfire with the voters. Katherine has taken enough unfair shots in the past 2 years from the D's and the media- he's the first Republican to join the propagandists.
WE TAXPAYERS pick up the tab for the governmental parties named: Jim Smith, and 3 County Supervisors of Elections. Candidates will pay their own legal fees- and last I looked, he hasn't raised too much. Pretty expensive way to get your name in the paper- not to mention DUMB.
To: Dog Gone
Yeah her answer is lame, but regardless of how stupid the rule regarding submitting the proper paperwork is, it's still the rule. A rule, I might add that, someone of her position should have made it her business to know and follow.
To: FreeLibertarian
Post 61 pretty well covers your concerns I think . Also Julie reposted the law in post 71 if 'ya missed 'em ;).
80
posted on
08/16/2002 1:37:48 PM PDT
by
Ben Bolt
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