The Buzz: Florida Politics 2004 December 19, 2004 GOP's holiday tidings fill filmmaker's inbox By Times staff writers THE SEASON FOR GLOATING: If you're a Republican wondering how to send holiday tidings to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, a Miami Beach Web site, www.MerryChristmasMichaelMoore.com might be for you. Thousands of people already have visited to attach personal messages to an e-mail to Moore depicting a joyously dancing holiday elephant. Go to article December 12, 2004 Don't waste stamps on electors By Times staff writers Try as they might, Democrats unlikely to sway the state's electors with impassioned prose. Go to article December 5, 2004 Gubernatorial prospects snap up domain names By Times staff writers POLITICAL CONFLICT: Scott Maddox appears likely to be re-elected as state Democratic chairman Dec. 12, even as he struggles to avoid perceptions of a conflict of interest. Go to article November 21, 2004 It's been 2 years - time for the mighty to fall again By Times staff writers Fame is fleeting in the Florida Legislature. Go to article November 14, 2004 Largest lobbying firm adds another veteran to its ranks By Times staff writers The lobbying firm of Smith & Ballard is expanding. Go to article November 7, 2004 Bush wears out another communications chief By Times Staff Writer Look for a few changes around the office of Gov. Jeb Bush. Go to article October 31, 2004 Did Kerry get a vote from GOP fixture? By Times staff writers Some Republicans say J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich, chief of staff for former Gov. Bob Martinez and a key adviser to former Secretary of State Katherine Harris during the 2000 presidential recount, voted for John Kerry for president. Go to article October 24, 2004 Martinez aide listens in on call for Castor By Times staff writers An aide to U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez listened in on a phone conference call with reporters, which was set up by the campaign of opponent Betty Castor. Go to article October 17, 2004 Governor on ABC-TV, says brother will win By Times staff writers Gov. Jeb Bush makes a rare national media appearance this morning on ABC News' This Week with George Stephanopoulos, defending the fairness of Florida's election system, predicting victory for his brother and dismissing talk of his own presidential ambitions. Go to article October 10, 2004 Senate race still neck and neck By Times staff writers Everyone knows the presidential race in Florida is too close to call. Go to article October 3, 2004 Is Obama's influence rubbing off on Castor? By Times staff writers Betty Castor took her campaign to Philadelphia on Monday, where she raised money with two other Democratic Senate hopefuls, Ken Salazar of Colorado and Barack Obama of Illinois. Go to article September 26, 2004 Cleared for takeoff, Nader swings through Florida By Times staff writers The scourge of the Democratic party, Ralph Nader makes his first campaign swing through Florida since making the ballot as the Reform Party nominee. Nader will campaign in Jacksonville and Gainesville on Monday, West Palm Beach on Tuesday and Orlando and Tampa on Wednesday. He hits Miami on Thursday as Bush and Kerry arrive for a debate, which excludes Nader. The 8 p.m. Tampa Bay event is set for Centro Asturiano at 1913 Nebraska Ave. Go to article September 19, 2004 Political events casualties of Ivan By Times staff writers HURRICANE IVAN SHELVED plans for President Bush to visit Snell Isle in St. Petersburg this week. Go to article September 12, 2004 Bird is the word for Bush opponent By Times staff writers Soccer moms, move over. One Florida homeowner is organizing birders as the next powerful voting bloc. Go to article September 5, 2004 Jeb enthusiasts draw unwanted attention at RNC By Times staff writers HURRICANES CHARLEY AND FRANCES kept Gov. Jeb Bush away from the Republican National Convention in New York City. But he was there in spirit. Among the signs spotted among Florida delegates: a professionally printed red and white, "JEB '08." Go to article August 22, 2004 Deutsch's attacks not helping his Senate bid By Times staff writers First, U.S. Senate candidate Peter Deutsch criticized fellow Democrat Alex Penelas. Then he turned his sights to frontrunning Betty Castor. But those attacks may be hurting him, instead of helping him. Go to article August 8, 2004 For Pinellas candidate, 'jihad' is a touchy subject By Times staff writers J.J. Beyrouti, a Pinellas County Commission candidate, talks on the campaign trail about coming to America 30 years ago from Beirut. One detail he does not talk about is the name his father gave him: Jihad Jean Beyrouti. Go to article August 1, 2004 Castor picks up Jewish paper's endorsement By Times staff writers U.S. Senate candidate Betty Castor has been trying to convince Jewish voters she was right to not fire Sami Al-Arian from the University of South Florida when he was under investigation for allegedly raising money for terrorists. Go to article July 25, 2004 Checkbooks start opening for Kerry By Times staff writers IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG for several of Florida's top Democratic fundraisers to jump into helping John Kerry after he locked up the nomination. Among the recent additions to Kerry's so-called "vice-chairs" who raised at least $100,000: Miami lobbyist and former Bob Graham supporter Chris Korge; former Joe Lieberman backer Mitchell Berger of Fort Lauderdale; Tampa attorney Barry Cohen; Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan; and Fort Lauderdale lawyer Alex Heckler. Go to article July 18, 2004 McCollum reception hints at stronghold By Times staff writers Mel Martinez, by most accounts, is the party establishment's choice in the crowded Republican U.S. Senate primary. Three former state Republican Party chairmen drove that perception home last week in endorsing the former U.S. housing secretary from Orlando. Go to article July 11, 2004 Graham just missed joining Kerry's ticket By Times staff writers When the newly minted Democratic duo of John Kerry and John Edwards zipped through Florida last week, one prominent face conspicuously absent from the stages in St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale was Sen. Bob Graham. Go to article July 4, 2004 Clinton tome gives Graham glowing praise By Times staff writers A veepstakes endorsement? Not quite. But Bill Clinton touts Bob Graham in his memoir, My Life. Of all of the most commonly mentioned contenders for John Kerry's running mate, Graham is the only one who rates glowing words from the former president. Go to article June 27, 2004 Bush no fan of Moore's movie, Clinton's book By Times staff writers Gov. Jeb Bush won't read former President Clinton's new book, and he's not going to see Michael Moore's new movie, Fahrenheit 9/11, either. Go to article June 20, 2004 Gallagher ad could pose relative harm to brother By Times staff writers It's hard to think of anyone in Florida who's more deserving of the label "career politician" than Tom Gallagher. He served 12 years in the Legislature and was state insurance commissioner, education commissioner and a two-time candidate for governor. He's now the state's elected chief financial officer. Go to article June 13, 2004 Inmate's schedule booked up on primary By Times staff writers The Pinellas teachers union last week endorsed Rep. Charlie Justice for a third term in the state House, but the union couldn't find Justice's only challenger. Go to article June 6, 2004 Senate hopeful taps call crasher By Times staff writers Every three weeks, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez makes a point to meet with key fundraisers and strategists through an invitation-only conference call. Go to article May 30, 2004 Betty into Margaritaville, not Neverland, blog fans By Times staff writers BETTY'S BLOGGERS: Betty Castor might not be the fiery Howard Dean type, but she's ripped a page from his campaign playbook to position herself as the grass roots favorite in Florida's U.S. Senate race. Go to article April 18, 2004 GOP leaders not expecting to win in Davis' district By Times Staff Writers Looks like Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa can keep his eyes on the 2006 gubernatorial race without worrying about re-election this year. With less than a month before the filing deadline, no heavyweight Republican has emerged to take him on. Go to article April 11, 2004 Mirror of Florida's electorate right here By Times staff writers Keep an eye on how the Tampa Bay area votes. Go to article April 4, 2004 National Democratic Party high on Castor By Times staff writers Betty Castor's fundraising gets kudos despite lagging behind two rivals for state Senate. Go to article March 28, 2004 Republicans honor major fundraiser with big 7-0 party By Times staff writers FLORIDA'S PREMIER Republican fundraiser, developer Al Hoffman, thought he and wife Dawn were going to a nice, quiet dinner with Gov. Jeb Bush and first lady Columba Bush on March 20. Instead, about 500 of Hoffman's closest friends jammed a ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples for a surprise party celebrating Hoffman's 70th birthday. Go to article March 21, 2004 Gov. Bush fills another post with another lobbyist By Times staff writers GOV. JEB BUSH HAS once again turned to a prominent lobbyist to fill an appointment: Paul Bradshaw, 45, president of Southern Strategy Group, to the board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. Go to article March 14, 2004 Martinez makes rounds with party honchos By Times staff writers IS U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE Mel Martinez poaching on Republican rival Johnnie Byrd's turf? Go to article March 7, 2004 Graham, Nelson hope for a spot on Kerry's ticket By Times staff writers BILL NELSON OR BOB GRAHAM as John Kerry's running mate? Both of Florida's U.S. senators (Nelson subtly, Graham blatantly) have expressed interest. Graham offers gravitas, Nelson the astronaut thing. (He flew on the space shuttle). Go to article February 29, 2004 This guy won't support the other team By Times staff writers AS A PROMINENT LOBBYIST in Tallahassee, Sam Bell gets a lot of phone calls to raise money for candidates. But the one he got the other day was a doozy. Go to article

Statewide races and issues
February 2, 2005
Bad ballot numbers hit new low
By Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE - The banishment of chad helped lead to the lowest level of invalid ballots ever measured in a presidential or gubernatorial election in Florida, a report released Tuesday said.
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January 19, 2005
Legality of political gift in doubt
By LUCY MORGAN
A secretive group's late ads backing President Bush and Sen. Mel Martinez were paid for in part by a foreign donor.
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December 24, 2004
3.9-million votes, 63 challenges
By DAVID KARP
Talk of thousands of contested votes in the presidential election was all wrong. The dreaded vote war never came.
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November 29, 2004
Independent count affirms Bush landslide
By Associated Press
The Miami Herald counted ballots, and found Bush did win in counties where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans.
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November 24, 2004
Conservation, parks bonds voter favorites
By Associated Press
This year, Florida's approval of $436-million was second only to California's $998-million.
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November 14, 2004
Rural vote gave state to Bush
By ADAM C. SMITH
The president made key gains in Florida suburbs and small towns, pushing him past a Democratic campaign that focused on urban areas.
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November 10, 2004
Judge says no to counting late absentee votes
By Associated Press
MIAMI - Election officials will not be forced to count absentee ballots returned after 7 p.m. on Election Day, regardless of problems caused by late mailings, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
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November 8, 2004
'Time for a change'
By VANESSA GEZARI
In a hotly contested race that polarized the community and ultimately was decided by 115 votes, Gadsden County elected its first black sheriff, 39-year-old Morris Young.
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November 5, 2004
Slots measure scratches way to narrow approval
By ALISA ULFERTS and DAVID ADAMS
Elections officials say votes that were nearly lost to a computer glitch put the gambling measure over the top.
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Lobbyist's lawyer denies campaign misspending
By Associated Press
MIAMI - A BellSouth lobbyist accused of violating campaign finance rules by using the company's money to finance a public opinion poll for a U.S. Senate candidate didn't break any laws, his attorney said Thursday.
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State's new U.S. House members opposites
By Associated Press
Connie Mack IV had a conservative record in the Florida Legislature. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of its most liberal members.
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Republicans pick up 3 seats in state House
By Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE - Susan Goldstein was declared the winner of a Broward County state House seat Thursday, solidifying a three-seat pickup for Republicans in a chamber they already dominate.
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November 4, 2004
Has Florida become a GOP stronghold?
By ADAM C. SMITH
In statewide elections, Republicans have been the winners in three straight election cycles.
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Election imperfect, but improved
By DAVID KARP, TAMARA LUSH and MATTHEW WAITE
Four years after the embarrassing 2000 recount, the state's voting saw only minor problems, officials say.
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Medical votes no solution to fight
By LISA GREENE
Three amendments on malpractice suits and patient safety passed, but doctors and lawyers remain at odds.
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Panhandle, president drive Martinez's win
By STEVE BOUSQUET, PAUL DE LA GARZA and ANITA KUMAR
Heavy support in North Florida and a boost from President Bush nudged Mel Martinez past U.S. Senate rival Betty Castor.
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Bullet train dead, but is it gone?
By JEAN HELLER
Voters undid their train edict of four years ago. But one key lawmaker says it could still be a reality if the cost is acceptable.
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Slots vote still in limbo
By JONI JAMES
TALLAHASSEE - It could easily be Friday or later before Florida knows if voters approved the first state-sanctioned gambling expansion in nearly three decades.
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Escambia logs state's highest voter turnout
By BRADY DENNIS
So much for the hurricane effect.
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November 3, 2004
A sigh to behold: Problems down, turnout soars
By JONI JAMES, LUCY MORGAN and CRAIG PITTMAN
A near record number of Floridians flocked to the polls Tuesday in an election that brought scattered reports of voting machine glitches but appeared to avoid the widespread problems that characterized the 2000 presidential race.
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District 11: Mike Fasano overpowers Mattingly
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
With overflowing campaign coffers and overwhelming GOP support, the incumbent coasts to victory.
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District 15: Dockery wins another term
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
The Lakeland Republican defeats her Democratic challenger in a contest that was closer than expected.
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District 3: Argenziano cuts a broader swath
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
She picks up a second term with a win that draws wider support from the 13 counties in the district.
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District 44: Well-financed incumbent Russell coasts past Hughes
By DAN DeWITT
The representatives from Brooksville says he will "continue on course for the next two years."
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District 47: After a tough GOP primary, Ambler coasts to re-election
By Times Staff Writer
After winning the primary election by just a razor-thin margin, Republican Kevin Ambler appeared headed late Tuesday for an easy defeat of Libertarian Kim Snow in the race for the state House District 47 seat.
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District 52: Farkas vanquishes challenger
By CARRIE JOHNSON
Once again, state Rep. Frank Farkas fended off a serious challenge from a Democratic opponent, winning a fourth term by a narrow margin Tuesday night.
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District 58: Henriquez takes early, strong lead in quest for a 4th term
By Times Staff Writer
Democratic incumbent Bob Henriquez appeared ready to return to a fourth consecutive term in the state House Tuesday after voters handed him an early lead.
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District 60: Homan confident, cautious about his strong early lead
By Times Staff Writer
TAMPA - Republican incumbent Ed Homan appeared poised to serve another term in Tallahassee as the state representative for District 60.
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District 62: Republican Rich Glorioso pads his lead over rivals
By LETITIA STEIN
The winner takes the seat of Johnnie Byrd, who was forced out by term limits.
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Five appellate judges likely to retain seats
By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE
Five judges on the 2nd District Court of Appeal appeared ready to easily win six-year terms in a merit retention vote, early returns showed Tuesday.
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Five judges on way to easily keeping seats
By JIM ROSS
Voters sent five judges from the 5th District Court of Appeal a strong message: We want you to stay.
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Justices' jobs appear safe, judging by early returns
By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE
Two Florida Supreme Court justices were poised to easily retain their seats after Tuesday's election, early returns showed.
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Voters call it a draw in doctor-lawyer battle
By LISA GREENE
Lawyers will get less for malpractice cases, but mistake-prone doctors will lose their licenses.
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Castor team considers challenges
By STEVE BOUSQUET, ANITA KUMAR and PAUL de la GARZA
ORLANDO - Florida's closely contested U.S. Senate race was too close to call early today, with Republican Mel Martinez clinging to a slim lead over Democrat Betty Castor with more than 6.5-million votes counted.
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Senate lead at just under 1 percent
By STEVE BOUSQUET, ANITA KUMAR and PAUL de la GARZA
ORLANDO - Republican Mel Martinez declared victory over Democrat Betty Castor early today in his quest to become the first Cuban-American elected to the U.S. Senate.
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District 43: Incumbent Dean holds on to top political novice, retains House seat
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
Charles Dean easily won a second term in the state House of Representatives, defeating a challenger who campaigned on the idea of reversing the way business is done in Tallahassee.
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District 45: Anderson wins rematch
By ALEX LEARY
Twice Tom Anderson has faced Kevin Jensen in the race for State House of Representatives District 45. Twice he has won.
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District 51: Waters enjoys lopsided win
By ANNE LINDBERG
SEMINOLE - Rep. Leslie Waters won a landslide victory over two opponents for state House District 51.
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Cantero, Bell easily hang onto seats
By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE
Two Florida Supreme Court justices easily retained their seats in Tuesday's election.
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November 2, 2004
Castor, Martinez focus on strengths in last hours
By STEVE BOUSQUET and ANITA KUMAR
Mel Martinez plans to talk with Cuban-American radio stations. Betty Castor will campaign in Tampa.
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Guide to constitutional amendments
By Times Staff
Voters will face choices on eight state constitutional amendments on the ballot today. Here is a brief overview of the amendments and what they would do.
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'Beneath the radar' group behind late pro-GOP ads
By LUCY MORGAN
TALLAHASSEE - An independent political group with secretive backers formed a week ago to buy ads in support of President Bush and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez.
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Man charged after photographing voters
By Associated Press
The arrest spurs a voting rights group to sue the Palm Beach County elections supervisor and Sheriff's Office to allow access.
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November 1, 2004
Long-gone hurricanes threaten voter turnout
By BRADY DENNIS
Storm-ravaged areas that went for the president in 2000 are still recovering, adding to election uncertainty.
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Looking beyond a divisive campaign
By STEVE BOUSQUET and ANITA KUMAR
Despite some nasty rhetoric, Senate hopefuls Mel Martinez and Betty Castor plan to follow Bob Graham's moderation.
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October 31, 2004
Is sunshine the best disinfectant for errors?
By LISA GREENE
If only patients knew more about hospitals' past mistakes, Jacqueline Imbertson thinks fewer of them would die.
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Bitter Senate battle spins toward close
By STEVE BOUSQUET and ANITA KUMAR
After months of turmoil, Betty Castor and Mel Martinez remain in a tight race to replace Bob Graham.
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Martinez, Castor stump along I-4 corridor
By STEVE BOUSQUET and ANITA KUMAR
KISSIMMEE - U.S. Senate opponents Betty Castor and Mel Martinez worked the state's political center Saturday, rallying supporters across the Interstate 4 corridor from Tampa to Daytona Beach.
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Filmmaker enlists video observers
By Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Filmmaker Michael Moore plans to have hundreds of cameras outside polling places in Ohio and Florida on Election Day to watch for attempts to suppress voter turnout.
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October 30, 2004
Governor leads push to repeal rail
By JEAN HELLER
Bush asks voters to kill the train to avoid "a $25-billion mistake" that would take funds from other projects.
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