This seat certainly has a checkered past, allow me to refresh our collective memories...
1995-2006 Mark Foley, R left office under a cloud of sexual controversy
2007-2009 Tim Mahoney, D left office under a cloud of sexual controversy
2009-2011 Tom Rooney, R, hopefully leaving office as an ineffective Party of No Right wing incumbent
Foley was a popular rep for the district and had he kept his, um, indiscretions under wraps, he'd still be a player in politics instead of, well, who knows where. Mahoney was a blue dog and likely would have kept his seat had he kept his libido under control. Rooney has been Rooney, quiet, expending no effort in trying to do anything other than expand the Republican "leadership" vacuum. His younger brother Brian just lost last night in his primary in Michigan in an attempt to join big brother Tom in the Capitol. Thank you Michigan.
See below the fold for info on an exciting new candidate...
Ed Tautiva was born in South America and emigrated with his parents to the United States when he was a toddler. A successful businessman in prior years, Tautiva likes to follow his dreams and always wanted to be a teacher; he currently teaches American Civics in Spanish to students at a Palm Beach County Middle School.
Ed tells the story that he was motivated to run for office when his students challenged him to stop talking about the problems in Washington and do something about it. That challenge resulted in Ed being the favorite in the August 24 Democratic Primary for the Florida Congressional District 16 seat.
Ed claims not to be a politician, he has some great ideas, and he, in my opinion, would make a difference instead of just wasting a seat as Representative Rooney is doing right now. Ed's been well received by the party faithful and because of a very active primary election in his district (Meek v. Greene, Aronberg v. Gelber, Burkert v. Rader) and a crowded and lively school board race to be determined in the same election, Ed will likely carry the big numbers in Palm Beach County. His opponent, a gentleman named Ed Horn, is from the county north of Palm Beach, Martin County and is likely to pull votes from there, even though Horn was a registered Republican until just hours before filing for the primary run as a Democrat. There is speculation that Horn is just a plant for the Rooney campaign.
The district is one of Florida's famous Sea to Shining Sea gerrymanderd areas, running from St. Lucie County, through the Lake Okeechobee area and on out to the south central Gulf coast.
If Ed is going to be successful in this primary he's going to need some more coin. Take a look at his website, check out his planks and see if you can find a couple of coins to throw to a true citizen-teacher-future Congressman.... you'll feel better if you do. I'm broke, unemployed for 4 months and I just threw him $25.
You gotta believe. here's the link: http://www.edtautiva.com/
Here's Ed's latest email:
Dear Friends,
The last fundraising deadline, before the primary election, today and I urgently need your support. I need to raise an additional $10,000 to make sure that I have all the necessary materials to get the word out so that history won't repeat itself in the 16th district.
Can you help us win with a contribution today?
Click here to rush $25, $35, $50 or more to my campaign.
I have been so blessed by the grassroots energy for this campaign. I know you'll help us with the resources we need to win.
As Democrats, we know what it takes to make change and move forward. I have been traveling the 16th district meeting people everyday. If you are going to represent all the people, you have to go out and meet all the people and listen. I will be a citizen congressman. Not an absentee congressman. Every person in the district is important and deserves to be heard!
I have been endorsed by the Editorial Board of the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, Democracy for America & Progressive Democrats of America.
I am humbled and grateful for these endorsement. It means our grassroots campaign is taking hold. Our message is getting through.
WE CAN TAKE THIS SEAT BACK FOR THE PEOPLE!
As your citizen representative, I will serve and protect the peoples interests first! I will protect worker's rights, woman's rights, equal rights, health care rights, the rebuilding of our local communities with good paying jobs and a sound public educational system.
I will work to protect our environment and fight to end our dependence on oil!
The 16th district is big! It covers 8 counties! To reach the voters with our plan to rebuild the middle class, starting with education and paving the way with "Made in the USA" job creation, I need to have the resources that can turn out every last voter. There are only 20 days until the primary.
I need your support and ask that you click on the contribute button below and contribute $25, $35, $50 or you can go to my website, www.edtautiva.com
Please forward this email on to as many of your friends as you can!
Together we can win!
Please don't forget to Mail in your vote or vote August 24th.
With gratitude,
Ed Tautiva
Democratic Candidate for United States Congress
Florida's 16th District
Visit me on my website at www.edtautiva.com.
Thank you for your continued support.