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Three defeated attorney general candidates line up with nominee Buddy Dyer.
©Associated Press
September 18, 2002
TALLAHASSEE -- Buddy Dyer, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, picked up the support Tuesday of the three men he defeated in the primary, then turned his attention toward Republican nominee Charlie Crist.
Dyer was joined by Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox and former Deputy Attorney General George Sheldon at a news conference in a show of unity. The fourth candidate, Walter Dartland, was unable to attend because of a funeral, but sent word that he supports Dyer.
"Today we face a series of complicated and complex crimes and criminals, many who rob with pencils instead of pistols," said Dyer, 44, who has served in the state Senate the past 10 years.
"I am not a blow-dried, cellophane-wrapped politician, but I am a good lawyer," Dyer said.
Crist is seeking his third office in as many elections. He was the GOP's unsuccessful nominee against U.S. Sen. Bob Graham in 1998 before winning the Cabinet position as education commissioner in 2000.
"I never got in this race just to run against Charlie Crist," Dyer said Tuesday. "I got into this race to be Florida's attorney general because I think I can do a good job."
Bob Butterworth, who served 16 years as attorney general, was barred from re-election by the term limits law.
The attorney general serves as the state's chief legal officer, represents the state in lawsuits before appeals courts and oversees the statewide prosecutor and solicitor general.
Dyer on Tuesday repeated his desire to have elections oversight responsibilities moved from the secretary of state to the attorney general. He said this is particularly important now, since the Secretary of State's Office will no longer be an elected position.