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ABATE of Florida Inc SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
26
LEGISLATIVE REPORT August 2008
Good Morning Freedom Fighters:
Like the specter of the Great Pumpkin rising out of the pumpkin patch, the election cycle is upon
us.
Candidates will be filling your mailbox with their résumé’s, telling you why you should vote for
them, and hopefully why they want to represent you, and of course, there will be all those
colorful signs with their names and catchy slogans lining our streets, all vying for your vote in the
primary election on Aug. 26. Like last year, early voting begins Aug. 11 and will run through Aug.
23.
Although closed Republican primary races dominate the ballot, two school board races will be
decided Aug. 26.
District 2 incumbent Jeanne Dozier is being challenged by James Middlebrooks and District 3
incumbent Jane Kuckel is being challenged by Ray Rodrigues.
The races are non-partisan and will be decided countywide, meaning all registered voters can
cast a ballot in each race, regardless of party affiliation or the district in which they live.
There are several races on the primary ballot that bikers need to pay attention to. One is the
school board races, as both incumbents support our Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program
that is being taught throughout the Lee Count school system. At this time, their challengers have
not made it clear whether they will support this program or not.
The second race will be the Lee County Sheriff’s race. Incumbent Mike Scott is being
challenged by former Lee County Sheriff Rod Shoap. The winner will face Christian Meister,
with no party affiliation, on Nov. 4.
Mike has done an outstanding job as our sheriff. Not only has he fulfilled his campaign promise
to us by opening the doors of communication, but he and his officers have fully supported the
motorcycling community. All Rod Shoap seems to have done this far is sling mud.
The third race will be for the Public Defender’s office. Incumbent Kathy Smith is being
challenged by Fort Myers attorney Brian Boyle and Naples attorney Rex Darrow. The winner will
face Fort Myers attorney David Brener, who is a write-in candidate, on Nov. 4.
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