Florida is important. It is the state that sent Bush to the White House (with a detour through the Supreme Court). There is hope that this election will turn Florida more blue than red - let's say a royal purple at least! Six veterans are running for U.S. Congress in Florida and they need our help. This Sunday we are spotlighting the first three of those races.
In a rundown of the state of the elections in Florida,
downwithtyranny blogged the following as posted on Music for America:
Of Florida's 25 congressional districts-- all undemocratically gerrymandered, to one degree or another, for incumbent protection-- 18 are currently held by Republicans and most of those Republicans are on the extreme fringes of even their own crazy right-wing party. It should be a fertile hunting ground for a resurgent Democratic Party-- if there was such a thing. As is, it looks like there are 3 Republican-held seats that Democrats have a shot at, possibly-- if massive revulsion causes a Democratic tsunami in November-- as many as 6...
The other Florida race with a Down With Tyranny endorsement is for Rick Penberthy in the rural 5th CD [in the] north of Florida. This one is definitely flying under the radar but, even as a longshot, it is one Rick could win-- and help retire a particularly loony right-wing incumbent named Ginny Brown-Waite... The 6th CD is another north-central district, this one running from Duval County up by Georgia all the way down thru Ocala to Lady Lake and Leesburg. The congressman is Cliff Stearns, another far right, rubber-stamp Republican stinking of corruption and special interest politics. The Democrats are lucky to have Dave Bruderly running for the seat, a Fighting Dem and a public-minded citizen who inspires confidence and trust (which can't be said about many politicians of either party)... If you're looking to contribute, volunteer or just find someone to root for, my suggestions are Jan Schneider, Rick Penberthy and Dave Bruderly. They need the help, deserve the help and each would make a significant contribution towards making our country a better place if he or she were elected.
Our other vet candidate today is Joe Roberts.
The Pensacola News Journal published this piece about Joe [paragraphing removed]:
"Joe Roberts' career as a carpenter taught him how to put things together. His latest project is to put together a political campaign to take over Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller's seat in Congress. A "regular Joe," Roberts served as a Marine in Vietnam and recently retired from the Air Force Reserve. He is building a grassroots political platform on the environment, particularly opposing offshore drilling and supporting finding alternate energy sources. He believes in a literal interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and responsible fiscal policy. He wants to raise the standard of living for Northwest Floridians by bringing more high-paying light industry and high-tech jobs here. Another reason he's running for Florida's 1st District seat: Roberts believes somebody needs to challenge Miller in Northwest Florida as well as Republican politicians and policies nationwide."
The author, Reginald D. Dogan, did not give Joe much of a chance. However, Districtblogs.com has a rundown on the district that is more hopeful on their
FL-01 Blog:
Florida's 1st CD is currently represented by Ultra-conservative Republican Jeff Miller or Chumuckla (yes, it's actually a town name) who does little more than rubber stamp all the president's policies and further the far right's agenda. Jeff was elected in a special election in 2001, following Joe Scarborough's retirement from the House of Representatives. Jeff was subsequently re-elected in 2002 and 2004. A Democrat has never gotten more than 28% of the vote against him. The house seat has been Republican ever since 1994 elections when Democrat Earl Hutto retired and Republican Joe Scarborough won it.
So, why even bother running against Miller? Why waste the money and time? Why even bother blogging about it? Because it matters, that's why. Having no one oppose him is as good as saying that we will roll over, play dead and be steamrolled. Furthermore, if 2006 turns out to be the kind of Democratic year it's looking to be, then we can actually be competitive here. I'm not saying we can win here, but we can get the issues on people's minds. We can show the public the ways in which Jeff votes against their interests. We give people a choice.
The fact that Joe Roberts is a vet gives him an added advantage over previous, "token", opposition to Miller. There is a heavy military influence in the first congressional district. The Naval Air Station, Eglin Air Force Base and other military institutions are housed in its borders. Enough of these just might defect to Democrats just enough to make this race competitive. Joe says he is a conservative Democrat, but his stance on Iraq, the environment and other issues is progressive. Joe sums up the race like this, "Our whole government needs opposition. We need in Northwest Florida a representative who is proactive, not reactive."
Joe ROBERTS for U.S. Congress (FL-01)
U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve. Joe served his country as a Marine in Vietnam (1968-69); In 2005 Joe retired from the Air Force Reserve, after serving on active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In his 25 years of service, Joe served as a member of the Army and Air National Guard, and participated in military operations in Central and South America as well as Bosnia and Eastern Europe (1980s, 1990s).
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Profile
Joe Roberts is a native Pensacolian, and a graduate of the University of West Florida. His wife, Sharon McMurrain Roberts, also a native of Pensacola, is employed by the State of Florida as an Official Court Reporter for the First Judicial Circuit. Joe and Sharon have two daughters, Leala, 24, and Lindsey, 19. Joe believes that the family is the most important and basic institution of American culture. His compassion for people ensures that he will promote the interests of the American family when drafting legislation. As an avid outdoorsman, Joe has a strong appreciation and respect for nature. He believes that corporate profit should never come before the health of our planet. His strong military background and his experiences as a combat-tested veteran and NCO Leadership Instructor will enable him to make critical national defense and veterans' affairs decisions based on his own understanding and knowledge, rather than relying on the advice of those who have not served. Joe has participated in humanitarian aid and Christian missionary work in several countries including Russia and Honduras. As a C-130 Crew Chief with the Air Force Reserve, he has worked and lived in many foreign cultures from Eastern Europe and the Middle East to Central and South America. His understanding of these people and their cultures will be invaluable in dealing effectively with foreign affairs as your representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. Joe believes in a literal interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and responsible fiscal policy. The main focus of his campaign and tenure in office will be to raise the standard of living of Northwest Floridians by bringing more high paying light industry and high-tech jobs to the Panhandle. Joe, whose grandparents were farmers in Northwest Florida, will also promote legislation aimed at reinvigorating family farms and agricultural entrepreneurship throughout the region. When elected, he will provide strong leadership in Washington and promote the interests of the citizens of the Florida panhandle. His opponent, Jeff Miller, has been a good friend to the oil companies, even voting against cracking down on the oil and gas industries' price gouging. The oil and gas industries have been good to Rep. Miller as well, putting $4,500 Rep. Miller's in campaign coffers.
Rick PENBERTHY for U.S. Congress (FL-05)
2LT, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy Reserve. Rick is a Vietnam era veteran who served overseas in Korea at Panmunjon with the Eighth Army United Nations Command and also on the DMZ with the 2nd Infantry Division. Later Rick continued to secure the state of Florida by serving in the United States Naval Reserves.
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Rick and Doreen Penberthy live on a 5-acre ranch in Wesley Chapel. They have 4 children, Brittany, Brett, Corttney, and Colette. Rick Penberthy is a life-long Democrat. Rick Penberthy, 52, has a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science, a Bachelors degree in International Studies, and a Masters in Political Science from the University of South Florida. Rick's outreach goes beyond the classroom and includes volunteer work with St. Anthony's School Board, Metropolitan Ministries, the Children's Christmas Toy Network, Habitat for Humanity, and Florida Coastal Clean-up. Rick has been recognized as Pinellas County's Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year and has received the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Rick's record of public service is backed by a commitment to District 5's future. Rick has been an educator in Florida for over 20 years. As a father of 4, Rick understands that a secure future begins with a secure education. Everyday Rick sees the determination that families of the Nature Coast have in ensuring their children have a bright future. Sadly, in Washington, this determination has taken a backseat in a never-ending political cycle. In an effort to restore District 5's voice in Washington Rick Penberthy is taking his fight to the United States House of Representatives. Rick's candidacy is about our families, our community, our security, and about Washington's responsibilities to District 5.
David BRUDERLY for U.S. Congress (FL-06)
U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy Reserve. A retired Navy officer who served during the Vietnam era at sea and on shore at the Naval Undersea Center, San Diego.
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Professional Engineer David Bruderly has lived in Alachua County for over 30 years. He has 2 children, David and Heidi, and 3 grandchildren. Dave received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering & Transportation from the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1969. He received a Master of Science degree in Engineering from Columbia University in 1971. Dave has been an environmental engineering consultant for 32 years. He is currently the President of the Clean Power Engineering Company and an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Throughout his career, Dave has advocated for cleaner, more efficient technologies for transportation, maritime and alternative energy industries. Dave began his career as a cadet-midshipman serving on ocean-going break bulk cargo ships, a container ship and the flagship of the US fleet, the passenger liner SS United States. After winning his USCG licenses as 3rd Mate - Oceans and 3rd Engineer - Unlimited Horsepower, he served on three civilian oceanographic research vessels and a research submarine with active duty naval service at sea on a destroyer, a destroyer escort and ashore at the Naval Undersea Center, San Diego. During the height of the Cold War, these ships took Dave across the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans to a multitude of European countries. Included in his travels were Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, the Bahamas and South America. After returning from his duty at sea, Dave implemented projects in more than 20 American states. He also participated in engineering programs overseas in countries such as Canada, Israel, Egypt, Germany and Japan. Dave has worked in over 45 countries during his career. Some of his achievements include environmental studies for electric power plants, military bases (including the Kings Bay nuclear FBM Sub Base), and many industrial facilities. Dave also analyzed urban and agricultural non-point contamination, evaluated lake and river restoration projects, helped clean-up dozens of contaminated petroleum and chemical sites and investigated spills, leaks and illegal disposal activities. Dave currently serves as a Director for the following non-profit organizations: the Florida Hydrogen Business Council, Sustainable Alachua County, Florida Defenders of the Environment and the Cross Creek Initiative. He is currently active in the Florida Hydrogen Business Partnership, coordinated by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, and recently served on the Clean Fuel Florida Advisory Board, sponsored by Governor Jeb Bush. Dave, a retired U. S. Naval Reserve officer who served during the Vietnam-era, would relish the opportunity to serve his country again, to leverage his vast experience and knowledge of the world to better serve the people of North Florida as the U.S. Congressman from Florida's 6th District.
Florida counts. Let's not let it get counted wrong again. These candidates will count towards the 15 needed to take back the U.S. House of Representatives if we support them in their efforts to take back the Hill.