© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

With Dem Hopeful's Abrupt Withdrawal From CFO Race, Will There Be A Replacement?

Orange County Bar Association

Florida Democratic Party officials say they won’t rule out naming another challenger to state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater in the wake of the party’s prohibitive nominee dropping out of the race. The party is searching for a replacement for Allie Braswell Jr., who stepped away from the race just days after entering it.

Last Thursday, the Central Florida Urban League President announced he’d mount a 2014 challenge to incumbent Florida CFO Atwater.

But, after the Florida Times-Union newspaper reported Braswell had filed for bankruptcy three times in two states and even defaulted on a payment plan, Braswell, Monday, announced he’s out of the race. Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Joshua Karp calls it the right decision, adding the party may be looking at others to fill Braswell’s spot on the ballot.

“I think that Mr. Braswell underestimated the challenges and difficulties of mounting a statewide campaign. I think that’s clear. And, I think that he’s made a very solid decision for his family and his supporters to withdraw from the race. We have been and we continue to look at other people interested for potentially running for CFO, and those continue to be ongoing conversations,” said Karp.

Braswell, a former Marine, had never run for public office before. In his going-away statement, he called himself a political outsider and said he misjudged how the campaign would affect his loved ones.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on twitter @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.