By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-917454.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater and former Tallahassee Representative Loranne Ausley are their respective party's nominees for Florida Chief Financial Officer. They are popular luncheon speakers this month for political clubs. Early voting for the primary election is underway, and groups associated with political parties tend to remain impartial until a nominee is chosen. This leaves an open stage for Atwater and Ausley. James Call reports they are using it to rally their respective troops for the Fall campaign.
The Senate President said the November election is crucial to changing the direction the country is heading, while the former Representative sees it as a crucial crossroad for Florida's future. The primary election is August 24th, but the CFO candidates' general election campaigns have begun.
"We run because we believe that the issues of our day are important enough to fight for. That's why we run. That's why we gather here today."
Senate President Jeff Atwater took a philosophical approach in a thirty-minute pep talk to the Capital City Republican Club.
"That is why all the things that you are reading about in the paper, seeing on TV, and knowing the consequence of where they are going on public policy in Washington or on the county commission or at the school board, why it matters that we care enough to put our name on a ballot or go out and support a candidate by going door to door or putting Donna's bumper stickers on your card."
Using Atwater's criteria, one could conclude that when it comes to politics, Tallahasseans do care a lot. This summer, they've filled the calendar with forums, luncheons and debates that candidates flock to like a gaggle of geese.
"I need you to take a bumper sticker from Stephanie. Stephanie, raise your hand. She's back there. Take a bumper sticker today and put it on your car. Come down to our headquarters. I need you to write a check and if you have already written one, I need another."
Loranne Ausley will face Atwater in the general election in November. She was the keynote speaker at a Capital City Democratic Women's Club luncheon. Both Ausley and Atwater said they were asked to talk about their respective party's principles and traditions. For Atwater, it was an opportunity to quote Barry Goldwater.
"Let it be our cause as Republicans to remember jobs are not created by the government, they are created by the entrepreneur who unlocks the shop before dawn."
Across town and a day later, Ausley talked to a room full of Democrats.
"With leaders like Leroy Collins, Bob Graham, and Lawton Chiles, leaders who challenged Floridians to give their best and to expect the best from others, who gave Floridians an example of courage in office and who left important legacies, it is up to every one of us in this room to carry those legacies forward."
It's sort of the preseason for Ausley and Atwater. With no primary opponents, the two are waiting to face each other in the general election. They are using the time to explain how they will use the power that comes with being CFO. The office handles the state's money, pays its bills, and regulates banking and insurance. Atwater said that he is proud that during his tenure as Senate President the Legislature passed the fewest number of new regulations in memory, and he will carry that spirit into the CFO's office.
It's a spirit, he said, "that can attract capital and grow jobs or one that turns the regulatory dial that might suffocate jobs. It is a job that must be out looking for our consumers of Florida when they enter a contract with an insurance company, a banking relationship, that those institutions are fair and square, and they pay up on time if there is an accident. We just have to find the balance in this state. We have to be the state that attracts capital, that attracts jobs, and that is what I would like to do for you."
The Democratic candidate Ausley has a different take. The CFO, a member of the Cabinet, is one of the four voices of the Executive Branch of state government. Ausley said she wants to be CFO to be the watchdog of the people's tax money and to hold the Legislature accountable.
"You bring forward to the voters what they are doing with budget transparency and pushing through laws that put an end to no bid contracts and pay to play."
Both Ausley and Atwater have little name recognition statewide. They are competing with higher profile races for the U.S. Senate seat and Governor's mansion. Democrats do outnumber Republicans by 700-thousand voters statewide. However, the Atwater campaign reports have $2.3-million in contributions compared to $622-thousand for Ausley.