If Daniel Webster can gather just more than 93,000 signatures, he will be the first U.S. Senate candidate put on the ballot by petition.
By Associated Press
Published February 23, 2004
GAINESVILLE - State Sen. Daniel Webster, working off a list of Republicans who vote in most elections, walked up to a home in the northwest part of this city.
Carol Keir at first looked suspiciously at the stranger in her driveway, but quickly warmed to Webster after he introduced himself and explained he's running for U.S. Senate.
He asked her to sign a petition to put him on the ballot and she agreed.
"You've got quite a recognizable name, so that helps," Keir said as she signed.
Webster shares the name of a 19th century New England statesman.
"I just need to be running in New Hampshire," Webster quipped, then thanked her and moved on to the next house on the list.
In an hour, Webster gathered six signatures, including one from a passing jogger.
He'll need an additional 93,018 to become the first U.S. Senate candidate to get on the ballot by petition. His other option would be to pay a $9,282 filing fee, a process that would be much easier and cost less money.
For Webster, gathering signatures is not only symbolic, but a way to build a network across the state. By targeting Republicans who vote instead of just randomly walking door-to-door, Webster and his volunteers are making contact with people who could help him during the campaign.
Although he can't count on everyone who signs his petition to vote for him, it will give him a large list of names of people who might volunteer, donate money or spread the word about the campaign.
"It's very unique," said Geoffrey Becker, executive director of the state Republican Party.
"To go out and build grass roots support for one's candidacy will clearly show that he has the wherewithal to build a network across the state to support him."
Webster estimates that about 80 percent of the people who sign a petition will vote for him.
Becker said that's a good start in a race with seven Republicans.
"You're only talking about a little over a million Republicans deciding a nominee," Becker said. "You cut that up seven ways, then the math becomes possible."
Political observers say Webster ultimately will also have to raise a lot of money if he wants to win.
In a state the size of Florida, he will have to buy television adds to stay competitive.
"Grass roots never hurts, but you can't rely on that solely statewide," said Matthew Corrigan, a political science professor at the University of North Florida.
"If he can raise $2-million to $3-million versus someone raising $7-million, he can put together a credible campaign."
Other candidates seeking the Republican nomination are former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, former New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, Miami lawyer Larry Klayman and Miami businessman Doug Gallagher.
"We're never going to have the money that a Martinez or a McCollum or a Byrd might have, but we recognize that," said David Johnson, Webster's campaign strategist. "This creates buzz, this creates enthusiasm, and it will help us raise money when we really need the money."
At the beginning of the year, McCollum led the pack with about $2-million raised, followed by Byrd with $1.6-million. Webster had just more than $505,000.
Webster's campaign has 500 volunteers circulating 150,000 petitions in 65 of the state's 67 counties. Webster hopes to add Liberty and Glades counties soon.
Webster also hopes to turn in at least 100,000 for certification by April 1, 11 days before the deadline. He will have to pay supervisors of elections 10 cents a signature to have the petitions certified.
Webster has about 20,000 petitions already turned in and many more waiting to be picked up.
In Gainesville, Webster spent as much time talking with a group of 50 volunteers as he did gathering signatures, telling them about his background, answering questions about the economy and the war in Iraq, and encouraging them to help with the petition effort.
The same scenario has been repeated around the state, from Jacksonville to Fort Myers. Webster has stops planned in South Florida in the coming weeks.
And he is not just collecting signatures on neighborhood walks.
The campaign has sought signatures at gun shows, churches, Republican party events, the Daytona 500 and any place else they can find a crowd.
"We're doing as many places as we can, whether it's door-to-door, group-to-group or even e-mail-to-e-mail," Webster said.
