MORE NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENTS FOR PRIMARY RACES

Today's a Saturday, but that doesn't mean the endorsements stop as we are just over two weeks away from the primary election.

In the Republican race for State Chief Financial Officer, the Daytona Beach News Journal recommends Senate President Tom Lee of Valrico, who has received the lion's share of endorsements to date. The News Journal writes:

"In the state Senate, Lee built a solid record of integrity and had the courage to buck the Tallahassee power structure. Gov. Jeb Bush butted heads with Lee more than once. Yet, Bush -- who rarely gets involved in Republican primaries -- wholeheartedly backed Lee's candidacy in May, citing his patience and leadership".

Lee also receives the endorsement today of the Palm Beach Post, which notes:

"Mr. Lee, who was Senate president for two years, knows government is part of the answer. The endorsement would be more enthusiastic if Sen. Lee had reached that conclusion sooner. The last-minute bill he backed in the last legislative session was woefully inadequate."

Unfortunately, the writer does not specify what bill he/she if referring to in the last sentence, and the paragraphs above it do not give any clues.

The winner meets retired banking executive and Democratic nominee Alex Sink in November.

The Orlando Sentinel looks at the 8th Congressional District primary races this morning. The newspaper gives it's nod to incumbant Republican Ric Keller in the GOP primary, noting that opponent Elizabeth Doran's scathing portrayl of him as ineffective is simply a "unrecognizable caricature".

And in the Democratic primary, the Sentinel offers it's endorsement to Orlando marketing consultant Charlie Stuart, noting that he "stands out for his deep understanding of the complex issues he would face in Congress, his moderate positions on those issues and his emphasis on fiscal responsibility".

Click here to view all the statewide and Central Florida congressional newspaper endorsements, which I try to update on a regular basis. You can also view a list at the Tampa-based blog The State of Sunshine.