A FEW ENDORSEMENTS TODAY

The Sarasota Herald Tribune continues it's recommendations for statewide races today by giving it's endorsement to Democrat Walter G. "Skip" Campbell, Jr. of Fort Lauderdale for Attorney General. The state senator from South Florida was noted for having "the highest possible professional ranking for a lawyer and the success in private practice to prove it". The editorial also mentions that he commended the man he would replace, current Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, "for keeping the office's professional staff largely intact after he assumed the office from a Democrat. We think Campbell also would value professionalism over partisan patronage".

Today's Gainesville Sun, Naples Daily News, and Fort Lauderdale's South Florida Sun Sentinel continue the unanimous voice for Democratic incumbant Bill Nelson's reelection to the United States Senate.

--- The Daily News notes that "Bill Nelson is an upright citizen. He has served capably whether the assignment has been the Florida Legislature, Cabinet, or Congress...We need more people of his stature in office at any level".

--- Sun Editorial Page Editor Ron Cunningham writes in reference to GOP opponent Congresswoman Katherine Harris, "Even voters who think Congress is a joke should hesitate to send to the U.S. Senate a candidate who is under federal investigation, says politicians who aren't Christians legislate sin and whose chief "accomplishment" was to preside over Florida's botched 2000 election".

--- And the Sun Sentinel, in what it calls a "strong recommendation", says that "As a lawmaker, Harris has not been a factor in key debates on Capitol Hill, and as a candidate, she has failed to demonstrate that she can run a credible campaign, much less make a convincing case that would lead Floridians to send her to the U.S. Senate". On the other hand, it mentions that Nelson "has demonstrated an ability to effectively represent Florida and the nation".

The Tampa Tribune concentrates on four State Senate races today:

--- In the District 10 race to replace Senate President and CFO candidate Tom Lee, conservative Democrat Stephen Gorham gets the nod over Hillsborough County Commissioner and lightning rod Ronda Storms. The Tribune says that he "has the intellect, the personality and the self-discipline to be effective" in the Senate.

--- Republican incumbant Victor Crist (I wonder: Any relation to Charlie?) gets the newspaper's endorsement in his District 12 reelection campaign over a candidate from the Constitution Party.

--- In one of the nastiest races in the area, the Tribune gives the nod to Republican State Representative Kim Berfield in District 16, citing her knowledge of insurance issues, which has been the main focus of the almost constant attack ads between her and House collegue and opponent Charlie Justice.

--- State Representative Arthenia Joyner gets the recommendation over a write-in candidate for the Senate District 18 race which covers inner city neighbourhoods in three counties. According to the Tribune editorial, "The 63-year-old Tampa lawyer has worked hard on affordable housing, health care and transportation. She has a long history of community service and commitment".