Springer Supports PAC For Democrats

Tampa Tribune ^ | September 10, 2002 | MIKE SALINERO

[alloysteel]

Talk show host Jerry Springer has given $50,000 to a political committee that is helping several Florida Democrats, including attorney general hopeful George Sheldon and Mary Barley, a candidate for commissioner of agriculture.

Springer gave the money to the Kew Gardens Committee, an Internal Revenue Service 527 committee, whose founders are trying to remain anonymous. Such IRS committees can collect unlimited amounts of money as long as they don't specifically call for the election or defeat of a candidate.

Kew Gardens has supported Sheldon and Barley with mail- out advertising portraying them favorably. Springer also gave $500 in a direct contribution to Sheldon.

Sheldon said he and Attorney General Bob Butterworth met with Springer this year.

"What he basically said to me was, `George, my show is a joke. But what [Secretary of State] Katherine Harris did was no joke. I want to help in Florida,'" Sheldon said.

Harris' office is blamed by many Democrats for the defeat of Al Gore in the disputed 2000 presidential election.

Sheldon said he's not a fan of Springer's show, whose episode this week is titled, "Who Wants To Be a Porn Star?"

But he said Springer is concerned about the environment and has donated money to causes including helping the homeless. "I don't like his show, but he's a good Democrat," Sheldon said.

Sheldon, a former deputy attorney general, faces three Democrats in today's primary: state Sen. Buddy Dyer, former Deputy Attorney General Walter Dartland and Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox.

Barley, a developer and environmentalist, faces Winter Park veterinarian Andy Michaud and Miami schoolteacher David Nelson in the Democratic primary for agriculture commissioner.

Of the $50,000 Springer gave Kew Gardens, $10,000 went to the Tallahassee law firm of Meyer and Brooks. The firm has worked for a number of Democratic candidates and liberal-leaning organizations, including the Florida Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

Sheldon said he's only aware that Kew Gardens is "a strong environmental group."

Ron Meyer, a partner in Meyer and Brooks, said the Kew Gardens backers asked that he not reveal their identities. Springer has been the group's sole contributor.

"But it is my expectation that Kew Gardens will be alive and functioning after the Nov. 5 election," Meyer said.

Meyer said Springer, who owns a home in Sarasota, has been a Florida resident for seven years. "I think he's interested in a lot of Florida issues," Meyer said.

Springer could not be reached for comment Monday. But he is no stranger to politics. He was mayor of Cincinnati in the 1970s and considered a run for the U.S. Senate in 1999 in Ohio.

[alloysteel]

There is probably a reason that the participants in Kew Gardens wish to remain anonymous. Some of the sources may be non-American.

[ravingnutter]

Hmmm...a search says Kew Gardens is in the UK

There is a Kew Gardens in New York as well.

And if you like erotica, there is a book called Kew Gardens

The only one I can find related to Florida is the Young Israel in Kew Gardens Hills website