GoToby.com Endorses Art Graham for Florida State Senate Seat
Art Graham has spent more time in Flagler County in the last year than all other candidates combined.
Palm Coast, FL – September 9, 2009 – GoToby.com began as a "real estate news" website. I never planned to get the site involved in politics, but real estate and politics keep rubbing together. The two cannot be separated. Until now, I’ve resisted endorsing any particular candidate. Today, I step over that line by endorsing Art Graham’s bid for the State Senate Seat left open by the death of longtime Senator and one-time Senate President, Jim King.
Palm Coast and Flagler County suffer from an identity crisis. Our newspaper comes from Daytona Beach. Much of our television news originates from Orlando. But our economic development efforts are focused on an affiliation with Cornerstone, a Jacksonville-based economic development entity. And our political representation has traditionally been from north of the county. That’s how our voting districts are drawn.
What we really need is a state representative and state senator from Flagler County. Until that happens, we serve ourselves best by supporting candidates who know we are here, who take the time to get to know us and to understand our local issues. Television ads and endless recorded phone calls seeking my vote are not a substitute for being here. I think Jeb Bush was a good governor, but he doesn’t know Flagler County, so his endorsement of another candidate does not carry a whole lot of weight with me.
I’m impressed by Art’s strong record and experience in Jacksonville Beach and City of Jacksonville government. I’m even more impressed by his continuing efforts to become engaged with our local community.
Because of the quirks of the Florida election law, few voters will turn out for this election. It’s a special election known for sparse voter turnout. It’s also a Republican primary. The Democrats did not field a candidate. If you are a registered Republican, your vote can really make a difference. Flagler County can tip the balance for Art. Just a few votes can make the difference.
I will be voting for Art on September 15th. I urge you to vote for him as well.
Here others who endorse Art’s candidacy:
Former Mayor of Jacksonville John Delaney
Former Mayor of Jacksonville Jake Godbold
Mayor of Atlantic Beach John Meserve
Mayor of Jacksonville Beach Fland Sharp
Mayor of Neptune Beach Harriet Pruette
Mayor of Daytona Beach Glenn Richie
Mayor of Palm Coast Jon Netts
Public Defender Matt Shirk
Sheriff of Jacksonville John Rutherford
Duval School Board Representative Nancy Broner
Former Duval School Board Representative Kris Barnes
St. John County Commissioners Cyndi Stevenson, Mark Miner, Ken Bryan and Phil Mays
Nassau County Commissioners Mike Boyle, Danny Leeper and Stacy Johnson
Palm Coast Councilman Frank Meeker
Atlantic Beach Commissioners Paul Parsons, Carolyn Woods, Mike Borno and John Fletcher
Jacksonville Beach Council Rick Knight, Penny Christian, Tom Taylor, Steve Harkemeyer, Lee Buck and Pete Mittleman.
Neptune Beach Council John Weldon and Fred Lee
Former Mayor of Jacksonville Jake Godbold
Mayor of Atlantic Beach John Meserve
Mayor of Jacksonville Beach Fland Sharp
Mayor of Neptune Beach Harriet Pruette
Mayor of Daytona Beach Glenn Richie
Mayor of Palm Coast Jon Netts
Public Defender Matt Shirk
Sheriff of Jacksonville John Rutherford
Duval School Board Representative Nancy Broner
Former Duval School Board Representative Kris Barnes
St. John County Commissioners Cyndi Stevenson, Mark Miner, Ken Bryan and Phil Mays
Nassau County Commissioners Mike Boyle, Danny Leeper and Stacy Johnson
Palm Coast Councilman Frank Meeker
Atlantic Beach Commissioners Paul Parsons, Carolyn Woods, Mike Borno and John Fletcher
Jacksonville Beach Council Rick Knight, Penny Christian, Tom Taylor, Steve Harkemeyer, Lee Buck and Pete Mittleman.
Neptune Beach Council John Weldon and Fred Lee
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