I-4 GROUP ENDORSES BOWLIN, GORHAM

The I-4 Corridor Group, an independent group of progressives from throughout the Central Florida region, gathered Thursday evening in Plant City, and the small but enthusiatic group voted to endorse two candidates for public office:

--- Stephen Gorham, a Democrat from Plant City, received the endorsement in the race for State Senate District 10. As the only Democrat, Gorham will face the winner of the Republican primary between former State Representative Sandra Murman, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms, and Plant City building contractor Ray Young, as well as write in candidate Victoria Brake of Valrico.

--- Lake Wales electrical/AC contractor Ed Bowlin receives the I-4 Group endorsement in his independent candidacy for the U.S. House seat in District 12 currently held by Republican Adam Putnam. The other candidate in this race is former state legislator Joe Viscusi of Lakeland, running as an independent.

Those who were unable to attend last evening's meeting missed a great presentation by former State Senator and 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Daryl Jones. While he was not present to discuss his support of State Senator Rod Smith's candidacy for governor, his name has been mentioned by some pundits as a possible running mate should Smith win the primary election against congressman Jim Davis.

The group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM. While it usually meets in Lakeland, recent meetings have been held in Winter Haven and Poinciana. It's membership reaches from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area to Osceola County.

It's purpose is to reach across county and other boundries to help elect progressives to public office at all levels, but focusing on local and statewide races.

To find out more about the I-4 Corridor Group, contact Fred Williams in Tampa at (813) 885-6161, or Karen Landers in Winter Haven at (863) 299-7474. And please be sure you let them you that you read about the group on Interstate4Jamming.