Florida Democratic Party News Clips u2014 March 15

GOP SENATORS STILL HAVE NO REAL ANSWER TO REDISTRICTING QUESTIONS

Trouble brews on congressional plan [Times/Herald] “A coalition of voters groups and the state Democratic Party is suing to derail the Legislature’s new maps of congressional districts…Smith, the Democratic Party chairman, disagrees and expects the trial court to put the redistricting challenges on the fast track. ‘We are confident the trial court will see this for what it is,’ he said, ‘an attempt to skirt the law for another year.’”

FDP Chair Smith takes on Senate leadership [Sunshine State News] “On Tuesday, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith told reporters that, because the state Supreme Court ruled eight of the 40 districts redrawn for the once-a-decade redistricting invalid, the entire state will need to be redrawn.”

Fla. lawmakers giving redistricting another try [AP] “The justices ruled that the Senate map violated a new Fair Districts anti-gerrymandering amendment to the Florida Constitution. That’s because the map favored incumbents and Republicans, included districts that weren’t compact and failed to follow political and geographic boundaries whenever possible.”

A do-over on Senate redistricting [Herald Tribune] “Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith and other critics have called for a major overhaul of the 40 Senate districts.”

Romney stumbles on way to Tampa [Tampa Bay Times Editorial] “His losses to Rick Santorum in Alabama and Mississippi this week highlight his weaknesses and reflect the deep divisions within the party.”

LEMEIUX “RISES” AGAINST MACK, HITS THE AIR WITH DAMAGING, UNANSWERED ATTACK

LeMieux Rises in Florida [National Review] “Connie Mack now finds himself locked in a tightening race against a guy named George LeMieux.”

Another Charlie Sheen ad — this one from LeMieux blasting Mack in GOP Senate primary [Palm Beach Post] “Now Republican Senate candidate George LeMieux is invoking Sheen in a new 60-second statewide radio spot that likens GOP primary rival Connie Mack to the troubled actor.”

George LeMieux launches blistering “Half Mack” radio ad in GOP US Senate race  [Orlando Sentinel] “Citing news reports in the Orlando Sentinel and other newspapers in Tampa Bay and South Florida, LeMieux’s ad declares that Mack, a four-term congressman from Fort Myers, has a history of  “bar brawls, road rage, not paying family support” and bouncing checks while in Congress.”

LeMieux attack ad targets Mack [Tampa Tribune] “George LeMieux fired the first broadcast shot in the U.S. Senate race Wednesday, a blistering radio ad attacking his opponent in the Republican primary, Connie Mack IV.”

STEARNS SLAMMED AT HOME AND NATIONALLY

Stearns’ opponents quickly make bribery accusation an issue [Ocala Star Banner] “Jett, a Republican, went public last week with the incendiary allegation that Stearns’ backers — with the congressman’s knowledge — offered him jobs and financial relief from his campaign expenses in exchange for Jett dropping out of the GOP primary for the new 3rd Congressional District, which spans North Central Florida, including part of Marion County.”

White House slams congressman over ‘birther’ remarks [Politico] “White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer slams Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) over a video clip where the congressman appears to question President Obama’s birth certificate.”

VIDEO: Town Hall Attendee Rips Rep. Cliff Stearns Over Planned Parenthood Investigation [ThinkProgress] “After Stearns answered several other questions, a woman complained to him about how his investigation into Planned Parenthood led to cuts for breast cancer screenings at some of the organization’s clinics:”

NAVY VETERAN HEATHER BEAVEN MAKES A SPLASH IN CD-6

Democrat Heather Beaven to run in old Mica district [The Hill] “A Navy cryptologist during Operation Desert Storm, Beaven was chosen by former President Clinton to be one of the first 10 females to serve on a combat-ready vessel. She later managed social programs for former Kansas Gov. Bill Graves (R), and runs an educational organization in Florida.”

Flagler’s Beaven announces run for Congress [Daytona Beach News-Journal] “‘Heather Beaven has a record of service to our country, and she’ll be a strong fighter for the middle class families of northeast Florida,’ Florida Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith said in a statement. ‘We’re confident she’ll have the resources she needs to win, and Heather’s announcement puts the 6th district squarely in play.'”

Heather Beaven to run for new seat [St. Augustine Record]
Democrat Beaven files to run in new CD 6  [Orlando Sentinel]
Democrat Heather Beaven Enters 6th Congressional Race [Sunshine State News]
Navy vet Beaven announces candidacy for congressional seat [Miami Herald]
Heather Beaven becomes first Democrat in crowded District 6 field [Florida Times Union]
Flagler Democrat Heather Beaven Declares For Congress in Newly Drawn 6th District [FlaglerLive]