| Hazen's News Blog |
Election 2010: war of the carpetbaggers?
When you go to the polls in 2010 to vote for a Congressman in District 8, there's a good chance you'll be casting your ballot for what you might consider a carpetbagger.
Representative Alan Grayson's been here for a few years. And he owns a really nice house in Windermere. I know this because I found photos (below) of it on the Orange County property appraiser's website.
The records show he bought it for $1,000,000 in 2005. Not bad: it even has a guest house separated by a covered driveway!
What everyone points to, though, is the fact that he's spent most of his life far away from Central Florida: he grew up in the Bronx, went to college at Harvard, and spent years as an attorney in the Washington, DC area.
Now take the leading contender on the Republican side: Armando Gutierrez, Jr. (okay, maybe it's a stretch to call him the "leading contender," but he has racked up a lot of endorsements).Gutierrez is from South Florida. His business is there, he owns a bunch of properties there, his family is from there. You might best remember his father as being the spokesman for the family in the Elian Gonzalez debacle (he worked to keep the boy in Miami).
Up until August, he listed his address in Coral Gables when he made a campaign contribution to "Juanky" Robaina's run for state Representative.
So how can he run for the Congressional seat in our town? It turns out he could live just about anywhere in Florida and still run. The law says a candidate for Representative "must be a resident of the state when elected," but it doesn't say anything about living in the district.
Even so, Gutierrez has set up shop in Central Florida, however transiently. I found on the Supervisor of Elections website that he has registered to vote in Orange County. And another campaign contribution he made in September to Eric Eisnagle for state Representative lists an Orlando address, at the Aspire Apartments inside the Dynetech building in downtown. Ads on the internet show you can rent a 1-bedroom 598 square foot studio unit there for $1,085 a month. And I hope Gutierrez doesn't have a whole lot of furry friends: there's a 75 lb. combined pet limit!
Rep. Grayson is also registered to vote in Orange County.
What others are saying
- Vote the bum out...One thing is clear from Grayson's actions, he's gotta go in 2010. We voted him in, we can vote him out!
- Carpetbaggers vs Patricia SullivanI definitely think that it "is a stretch calling Gutierrez the leading contender". All you can say that is that the GOP establishment seem to have blessed him. However, this election "We the people" will be heard, and we are not too happy with the RPOF choices. The true grass roots candidate, with a good chance to win the primary, is Patricia Sullivan. So let's get rid of the carpetbaggers and have a true representative.
- Patricia SullivanGrayson is an embarrassment not only to the citizens of the 8th district, but also nationally. The question the voters need to ask themselves is “…do I really want just another politician representing me in Washington…irrespective whether they are a democrat or republican…�?
Patricia Sullivan is not a politician. She is however a strong conservative voice that will bring back respect and sanity back to the 8th district. She is intelligent, articulate and fully aware of the needs facing her district. She will make a strong voice….and by the way, she is a long time resident of the 8th district. - Patriot not PoliticianI don't why anyone would ever vote for someone that wasn't already living in the area. Do we forgot so quickly that Alan Grayson moved here just to run. We need people who love this area, live in this area and know our people and what we're going through. If you accept someone that moves here just to run then your just voting for someone that is just another politician. Please take the time to look into Patricia Sullivan, I know you will like what you see. www.patriciasullivanforcongress.com and then when you get there also take the time to click on her blog link, much more there to see.
- Patricia Patriot not Politition !!!!the problem is outsiders making the decisions for those of us living in the area. I think Patricia Sullivan can do the job for the people she lives with and around. It is not a power grab it is a stand for Freedom and our Constitution. do not lose site of the fight. Our Freedoms are at Stake, Vote Patricia Sullivan for Congress 2010
- Community Connection NeededSeems to be several candidates and one incumbent who have decided that "district shopping" is perfectly all right because the law allows it.
Here's a clue for everyone... The voters in District 8 want someone with a connection to the community, someone who has worked here for a while, gotten to know the geography, the people, and the unique issues related to the area. The act of renting an apartment or buying a house or buying a lot of ads at election time do not make you a member of the community.
Sooner or later, the voters will begin to get wise to officials' lack of connection. Once that realization arrives, it will not take long for a turnover to occur. It's as simple as that.
Patricia Sullivan grew up in the Orlando area, and lives here on a day-to-day basis with her family. She's not a Washington lawyer, Miami developer, nor someone who lives in District 8 as a convenience. She is involved in the community now, and will continue to be involved during and after her term in Congress. - No Carpetbagger for meI'm tired of people saying that the only choice is the wealthy big names. It is time for average Americans to look to other average Americans to represent us in Congress, in Tallahassee, in our County and City government. Patricia Sullivan is just that - a regular person who has answered the call to represent her community. The community she has lived in and knows. No carpetbagger for me. I want a Patriot - Patricia Sullivan.
- CarpetbaggerWe have an ideal candidate who has lived in the district for many years and is raising a family here.She knows what the people of the 8th district need and is for fiscal responsibility, smaller government and free market solutions. Oh by the way, she is not a rich lawyer and does not live in a million dollar house. She is one of the folks. Check out Ptricia Sullivan for Congress.
- There is no need to vote for a Carpetbagger8th Congressional District candidate Patricia Sullivan is home grown and has lived in the center of the 8th District for many years in Lake county. Go to www.PatriciaSullivanForcongress.com for more info. (By the way, a carpetbagger wouldn't have to rent a place in the 8th District, he could just use a friend's address...)
- The best person for this seat was not even mentioned by Mr. Hazen and that person is Patricia Sullivan!
- CarpetbaggerThis will not be a war of the carpetbagggers although both men in this article are carpebabbers. It may be a war but in this one it wont be the best man who wins its going to be the best woman Patricia Sullivan.
- Armando GutierrezGutierrez was born an raised in Florida. He's made his money in Florida, employing Floridians. Alan Grayson, a lawyer, is not even licensed to practice law here. Floridians will be proud to have a conservative like Gutierrez represent them in Congress, rather than embarrass us like Grayson.
- Ray, I dont think this was a money thing. I think it matters more that they are not part of our communities but want to just come in and take over it in a way. I would rather elect officials who are active and live in the community, aren't THOSE the ones who know what is going on HERE? You can read the news all day long, but when you live here you know what has been sensationalized and what actually needs to be focused on.
- So what's your point? I am no fan of Alan Grayson but why must sucessful people be automatically dismissed because of money.
Marketplace
From fast food to fine dining, find it all in our Local Business Directory .
Shop for cars, find a dealer, and get the latest automotive news in our Local Car Buying Guide powered by AutoTrader.com
Stay ahead of the storm. Find evacuation routes, safety tips and more in the Hurricane Guide.
Don't miss your favorite TV shows! Click to get the latest WFTV Channel 9 programming schedule.
© All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Music Guide®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. 