Martin David Kiar has the edge.
Democrats in Florida House District 97 next month will choose between a political newcomer and a candidate making his second try for the seat.
Both hope to ultimately win the seat for their party, but only one seems prepared enough to wage what will be an uphill fight in the November election. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board gives the edge to Martin David Kiar and urges voters in the district to choose him as their nominee.
The district, which includes Davie, Weston and parts of Parkland, is Broward's only "tossup" legislative district. The seat had been held by Democrats until 2004 when state Republicans targeted the district and helped elect one of their own to office.
Kiar, 29, is a Davie resident who works for the city as an assistant town attorney. He is the more experienced, having served on two town boards and as an appointee to the county's Housing and Finance Authority. He has greater familiarity with the district, thanks to a previous run for the seat in 2004.
If ultimately elected, he'd urge his colleagues to restructure Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and make the state's Insurance Commissioner an elected office. He'd also push to require insurers to open their books to justify rate increases.
In the health-care arena, Kiar says he would push to get state officials to join RXIS, a regional effort by states to purchase prescription drugs at lower prices. He'd also support expanding Kid Care, the state's health insurance program for children. His education agenda includes fighting to uphold the mandated class size amendment, an issue he has made to differentiate himself from the incumbent.
Kiar has a primary opponent, Walter E. Birch,a 42-year-old executive recruiter from Weston. Birch shows promise as a first-time candidate but doesn't match Kiar's energy or experience.
The race pits Kiar, 29, a Davie assistant town attorney, against Walter E. Birch, 42, of Weston, an executive recruiter. (Sun Sentinel, August 16, 2006).
Birch, a former Republican and Independent turned Democrat, said he joined the race in January, but he's working hard to reach voters. He said he's better qualified than Kiar and would use his 15 years in business management to help improve life in the district.
"I feel very positive," Birch said. "I have the ability to make change." (Sun Sentinel, August 14, 2006).
The winner of the Sept. 5 primary will face state Rep. Susan Goldstein, R-Weston, in November. Goldstein runs a well-financed campaign and is heavily supported by Florida millionaire super lobbyist, Ron Book, who held her hand during Goldstein's failed attempt to shove residency restrictions for sex offenders down the throats of Floridians through HB 91.
Goldstein also supported intervention by the feds during the Terri Schiavo case. (Miami Herald.com, August 13, 2006). Michael Schiavo is currently campaigning against all politicians who attempted to block the removal of his wife's feeding tube. Goldstein backed the failed The Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act (HR 1151, S 539), sponsored by Mel Martinez, Sen-FL and Dave Weldon Rep-FL. (March 2005).
Fail Goldstein. Give her an "F".
Vote her out.
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