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Despite ethics rule, Riley won't choose

The state Commission on Ethics ruled that working as both the president of the state Realtors' group and a state representative would pose a conflict of interest, but Nancy Riley say she sees no problem if elected.

By DEMORRIS A. LEE
Published August 3, 2006

State House candidate Nancy Riley doesn't plan to make any changes, despite last week's opinion by the state Commission on Ethics that it would be a conflict of interest for her to hold the office while also serving as president of the Florida Association of Realtors.

Riley faces Ed Hooper in the Sept. 5 Republican primary for House District 50, which spans Clearwater, Safety Harbor and Largo.

But she's also president-elect for the state Realtors' group.

"I'm not going to change my campaign," Riley said after Friday's decision by the Ethics Commission.

"The citizens knew I was a Realtor, and they are supporting me because of that - my knowledge of neighborhoods and my ability to go up there and represent them and their needs in the Florida Legislature."

Riley said she wasn't expecting the decision that was made, and she hasn't decided whether to appeal it.

"If I get elected, I have a decision to make," Riley said.

Hooper said he's working to help Riley with her decision - by making it a nonissue.

"I'm campaigning like I'm going to win on Sept. 5," Hooper said.

"If I do, she can move forward and be the president of the organization, and I'm sure she will do a good job for them."

Riley of Clearwater had asked the Ethics Commission to determine if there would be a conflict to hold both posts.

Riley is president-elect of an organization of about 140,000 members that provides programs, services, research and legislative representation to its members. Riley is scheduled to take the helm of the organization in January.

In making its decision, the commission cited the role of the association's president in issues that include private property rights, taxes and homeowners insurance, and the president's role in developing the association's legislative agenda.

A draft report that was adopted by the commission stated that "it would be virtually impossible to draw a line distinguishing when you were acting 'as a State Representative,' as opposed to acting 'as president of the Florida Association of Realtors.' "

Riley questioned the decision.

"If somebody was president of their local chamber or state chamber of commerce, they would consider that the same type of conflict," she said. "I think that decision was wrong."

But Hooper, of Clearwater, said that even the perception of conflict is troubling.

"Any time you are trying to serve in a public capacity, if there is any perceived ethical conflict, it raises issues that you constantly find yourself trying to defend or dismiss," said Hooper.

Demorris A. Lee can be reached at 445-4174 or dalee@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 3, 2006, 07:01:49]