Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has released her first ad in her re-election bid, and at least one of her opponents is weighing in on the ad.
Bondi's First Ad
On Tuesday, Bondi’s ad was released statewide, promoting her efforts on cracking down on prescription drug abuse in Florida.
Below is a transcript of the ad:
“As a prosecutor, I’ve seen crime and brutality fueled by drugs. As Attorney General, I banned synthetic forms of heroin and acid that are poisoning our kids. And, with our amazing law enforcement, we closed down the pill mills. Of the top 100 oxycodone-‐dispensing doctors in this country, 98 of them lived in Florida. Today, there are none.”
And, her Democratic opponent for Attorney General, George Sheldon, called it “a good ad.”
“And, I have to give her credit on pill mills,” said Sheldon, at a press conference Tuesday. “Frankly, it’s the ad I’d choose if I had her record, even though the whole effort, in terms of pill mill, eradication was apparently led by the FDA, and even though General Pam Bondi initially opposed the prescription drug database.”
Meanwhile, both Bondi and Sheldon have accepted a debate hosted by Bay News 9 in Tampa and News 13 in Orlando. Libertarian Candidate Bill Wohlsifer says he’s also expected to attend.
Sheldon Reaches Out To Moderate Republicans
George Sheldon is hoping to reach out to moderate Republicans in his Democratic bid for Attorney General, and he has several GOP backers that are heading that effort.
One of those in charge of the effort is Mary Ann Stiles, a Tampa attorney who also used to work for business-backed group Associated Industries of Florida. She says that often pitted her against Sheldon throughout the years he was in state government.
“George and I had a lot of fights...but, one of the things that I respect about him is his integrity and his honesty,” said Stiles.
And, Stiles says while she still may not agree on his entire platform, she’s voting for Sheldon over fellow Republican and incumbent Pam Bondi.
“Because he can bring both sides together, and I, for one, am fed up with the fights between Democrats and Republicans, and I’m looking for a candidate that can bring us together so we can talk across the aisle and make things happen,” added Stiles.
Stiles spoke at a press conference Tuesday, announcing the formation of the “Sheldon Bipartisan Committee.”
Stay tuned to Friday's Capital Report for more on the AG race!
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
