By Dan Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 15, 2010
TAMPA — Dan Gelber said Friday he is the most qualified candidate in the race for Florida's attorney general, and the only one who won't favor special interests.
That was the message the Democratic candidate stressed to more than 40 attendees at a Jewish Women Leaders luncheon at the Pane Rustica restaurant in South Tampa. It was one of several campaign stops Gelber made around the area, having visited earlier with voters in West Tampa and Ybor City.
As he shook hands and spoke with supporters and undecided voters, Gelber repeatedly accused his Republican opponent, former Hillsborough prosecutor Pam Bondi, of supporting Tallahassee lobbyists.
"My opponent went to some of the most powerful special interests in the state and said essentially, 'I'm on your side,' " Gelber said. "The attorney general is supposed to be the policeman of the marketplace. For her to say 'I'm on their side' is irresponsible."
Among the issues he hit were education funding — he thinks Florida's schools are underfunded — and health care. He said it is "wrong and immoral" for anyone to be without health insurance in a state the size of Florida.
"I want people to focus on my qualifications," Gelber said. "If they look at my background and what I've done, I think they'll come to the conclusion that I'm the most qualified candidate."
Cindy Castro-Minnehan, 46, of South Tampa, has yet to decide if she will support Gelber. A teacher at Wilson Middle School, she attended the event to hear what the candidate had to say about education funding.
"I'm very open-minded, but these are critical times," she said. "We have to keep the momentum going in a positive direction. We need wise leaders, especially in the judicial area."
Dan Sullivan can be reached at dsullivan@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3321.
