Florida Attorney General election, 2014

Last updated
Florida Attorney General election, 2014
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←  2010 November 4, 2014 2018  →

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Nominee Pam Bondi George Sheldon Bill Wohlsifer
Party Republican Democratic Libertarian
Popular vote3,215,528 2,446,048 169,394
Percentage55.2% 42% 3%
Attorney General before election

Pam Bondi
Republican

Elected Attorney General

Pam Bondi
Republican

The 2014 Florida Attorney General election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the Attorney General of Florida. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi ran for re-election to a second term in office [1] against Democrat George Sheldon and Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer (Florida's first Libertarian Attorney General candidate)

Republican Party (United States) Major political party in the United States

The Republican Party, also referred to as the GOP, is one of the two major political parties in the United States; the other is its historic rival, the Democratic Party.

Pam Bondi American lawyer and politician

Pamela Jo Bondi is an American attorney and politician. A Republican, she served as the 37th Attorney General of Florida from 2011 to 2019.

Democratic Party (United States) political party in the United States

The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Tracing its heritage back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison's Democratic-Republican Party, the modern-day Democratic Party was founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson, making it the world's oldest active political party.

Contents

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

George Sheldon (politician)

George Henry Sheldon was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, and as the Acting Assistant Secretary at the federal Administration for Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. He ran unsuccessfully in the 2014 Florida Attorney General election. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

United States Department of Health and Human Services department of the US federal government

The United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), also known as the Health Department, is a cabinet-level department of the U.S. federal government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America". Before the separate federal Department of Education was created in 1979, it was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).

Florida House of Representatives Lower house of the Florida Legislature

The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida Senate being the upper house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted in 1968, defines the role of the Legislature and how it is to be constituted. The House is composed of 120 members, each elected from a single-member district with a population of approximately 157,000 residents. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures, provided by the federal decennial census. Senators' terms begin immediately, upon their election. As of 2019, Republicans hold the majority in the State House with 71 seats; Democrats are in the minority with 46 seats. Three seats are vacant due to resignations.

Declined

Skip Campbell American politician

Walter G. "Skip" Campbell Jr. was an American Democratic politician who served as a member of the Florida Senate from 1996 to 2006. Later, he served as the Mayor of Coral Springs, Florida, from 2014 until his death.

Maria Sachs Florida State Senator

Maria Lorts Sachs is a Democratic politician from Florida. She was a member of the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2016, representing parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Previously, she served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, representing part of southern Palm Beach County from 2006 until her election to the Senate. After her seat was redistricted in 2016, she opted not to seek reelection, and was hired as the executive director of Innovation Florida, a nonprofit advocacy organization.

Endorsements

George Sheldon
Individuals
Organizations
AFL–CIO Federation of American trade unions

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the largest federation of unions in the United States. It is made up of fifty-five national and international unions, together representing more than 12 million active and retired workers. The AFL-CIO engages in substantial political spending and activism, typically in support of Democrats and liberal or progressive policies.

Alliance for Retired Americans

The Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of retired trade union members affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Federation, as well as non-union, community-based members. Its predecessor organization was known as the National Council of Senior Citizens.

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is a union representing about 100,000 painters, glaziers, wall coverers, flooring installers, convention and trade show decorators, glassworkers, sign and display workers, asbestos worker/hazmat technician and drywall finishers in the United States and Canada. Most of its members work in the construction industry.

Newspapers
<i>La Gaceta</i> (Tampa) newspaper in Tampa, Florida

La Gaceta is a weekly newspaper in Tampa, Florida, founded in 1922. Published in English, Spanish, and Italian, it is the only trilingual newspaper in the United States.

<i>The Palm Beach Post</i> daily newspaper in West Palm Beach, Florida

The Palm Beach Post is an American daily newspaper serving Palm Beach County in South Florida, and parts of the Treasure Coast. As of 2016, it was the seventh largest in Florida. Nearly half of the adults in Palm Beach County read The Palm Beach Post in print or online.

<i>Tampa Bay Times</i> American daily newspaper

The Tampa Bay Times, previously named the St. Petersburg Times through 2011, is an American newspaper published in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. It has won twelve Pulitzer Prizes since 1964, and in 2009, won two in a single year for the first time in its history, one of which was for its PolitiFact project. It is published by the Times Publishing Company, which is owned by The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nonprofit journalism school directly adjacent to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus. Many issues are available through Google News Archive. A daily electronic version is also available for the Amazon Kindle and iPad.

Perry E. Thurston, Jr.
Individuals
Newspapers

Results

Democratic primary results [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic George Sheldon458,42860.66
Democratic Perry E. Thurston, Jr. 297,320 39.34
Total votes755,748100

Libertarian nomination

Candidates

Declared

  • Bill Wohlsifer, Attorney at Law [22]

General election

Campaign

Sheldon's constitutional eligibility to serve as Attorney General was challenged in court. For the years 2011 to 2013, Sheldon established permanent non-Florida residency in order to receive an exemption from taking continuing legal education courses required to maintain his law license with the Florida Bar. Article IV, Section 5(b) of the Florida Constitution requires the candidates for Attorney General maintain permanent residency in Florida for the seven years preceding election to office. The lawsuit named Sheldon and the Florida Secretary of State as defendants, and asked the court to remove Sheldon from the Democratic Primary for Attorney General. [23] Leon County Chief Judge Charles A. Francis ruled that Sheldon was eligible for the ballot, stating that though he might have worked out of state, he maintained his residence in Tallahassee and continued to live there whenever he returned. [24] The main lawyer involved in the case chose not to appeal the decision. [25]

After Sheldon won his party's primary on August 26th, Bondi challenged him to a general debate before the election. [26] Sheldon stated that he would do so, but raised the possibility of multiple debates. [27] Wohlsifer also challenged Bondi and Sheldon to a debate before the election. [28] On September 9th, Bondi's campaign sent out an email accepting an invitation to debate Sheldon in October, which he also accepted. While the Bondi campaign's email only mentioned Sheldon, Sheldon himself stated that he would welcome Wohlsifer's participation. [29] Later on, it was confirmed that the debate would take place on October 6th and all three candidates would participate. It was pre-recorded and then broadcast only in Tampa and Orlando TV markets. It remains to be seen if there are other debates scheduled. [30] [31] [32]

Candidates

Endorsements

Pam Bondi
Organizations
Newspapers
George Sheldon
Individuals
Organizations
Newspapers
Bill Wohlsifer
Individuals
Organizations
Newspapers

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		Margin of
error		 Pam
Bondi (R)		 George
Sheldon (D)		 Bill
Wohlsifer (L)		 Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–2, 2014 1,198 ± 2.8%46% 37% 5% 11%
Saint Leo University October 16–19, 2014 500 ± 4.9%47% 39% 6% 8%
Public Policy Polling September 4–7, 2014 818 ± 3.8%43% 35% 6% 17%
Gravis Marketing June 20–23, 2014 1,232 ± 3%43% 35% 5% 16%
Public Policy Polling June 6–9, 2014 672 ± 3.8%38% 35% — 27%
Gravis Marketing April 23–25, 2014 907 ± 3%45% 36% 7% 12%
Gravis Marketing January 30–31, 2014 808 ± 4%44% 36% 4% 16%
Public Policy Polling January 16–21, 2014 591 ± 4%37% 34% — 29%
Gravis Marketing November 8–11, 2013 932 ± 3%29% 11% —59%

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Tia Mitchell (July 1, 2013). "AG Pam Bondi files for re-election". Tampa Bay Times . Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  2. ↑ Brendan Farrington (October 21, 2013). "Sheldon seeks to challenge Attorney General Bondi". Miami Herald . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  3. ↑ Matt Dixon (October 26, 2013). "Perry Thurston gets in AG race". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ Anthony Man (June 14, 2013). "Campbell, Thurston weigh races for attorney general, Florida Senate". South Florida Sun-Sentinel . Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ Michael Van Sickler (October 23, 2013). "Content with state senate, Sachs won't run for Florida AG". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 "Political Bits and Pieces". Sunshine State News. August 23, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "State Representative Victor Torres and IUPAT Endorse George Sheldon for Attorney General". George Sheldon for Attorney General. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Florida Alliance For Retired Americans (FLARA) Endorses George Sheldon For Florida Attorney General". Capital Soup. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Florida Nurses Association announces first round of candidate endorsements". SaintPetersBlog. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Madelyn M. Skene (May 14, 2014). "Florida Young Democrats Endorse George Sheldon for Florida Attorney General". Capital Soup. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Endorsements". La Gaceta. July 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "La Gaceta confidently endorses George Sheldon in the Democratic Primary for Attorney General". La Gaceta. August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  13. ↑ "The Herald recommends: For attorney general, Democratic primary". The Palm Beach Post. August 9, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Editorial: Sheldon for attorney general in Democratic primary". The Palm Beach Post. August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Times recommends: Sheldon for attorney general". Tampa Bay Times. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Endorsement: Sheldon in attorney general primary". Tampa Tribune. July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  17. ↑ Adam C. Smith (July 24, 2014). "St Pete Mayor endorses Perry Thurston for attorney General". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  18. ↑ Kevin Derby (February 28, 2014). "Kendrick Meek Backs Perry Thurston to Challenge Pam Bondi". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Thurston for Dems' AG: Editoriall". Orlando Sentinel. August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Perry Thurston choice for attorney general". Sun-Sentinel. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Governor". Florida Election Watch. Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Jed Ziggler (December 13, 2013). "Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer to Run for Florida Attorney General". Independent Political Report. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  23. ↑ Rosica, James (August 8, 2014). "AG candidate Sheldon's residency challenged in court". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  24. ↑ Van Sickler, Michael (August 15, 2014). "Judge rules George Sheldon eligible for attorney general primary". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  25. ↑ Rosica, James (August 25, 2014). "Lawyer: AG candidate Sheldon's residency challenge won't be appealed". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  26. ↑ Irwin, Janelle (August 26, 2014). "Pam Bondi calls for debate against opponent George Sheldon". St. Peter's Blog. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  27. ↑ Schorsch, Peter (August 29, 2014). "George Sheldon accepts Pam Bondi debate challenge, then raises her". St. Peter's Blog. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  28. ↑ Pyeatt, Jill (August 31, 2014). "Updates on Florida LP's Candidates Adrian Wyllie and Bill Wohlsifer". Independent Political Report. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  29. ↑ Van Sickler, Michael (September 9, 2014). "Bondi and Sheldon set to debate in October, but is that it?". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  30. ↑ Dickey, Paul (September 10, 2014). "Bill Wohlsifer will be in Florida Attorney General debates alongside Pam Bondi and George Sheldon". Palm Beach Free Press. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  31. ↑ Cordner, Sascha (September 12, 2014). "As Florida Attorney General Race Shapes Up, Is Libertarian Candidate Getting Left Out?". WFSU. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  32. ↑ Fabrizio, Tony (October 6, 2014). "Florida AG candidates spar over same-sex marriage, more in BN9 debate". Bay News 9. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Schorsch, Peter (August 26, 2014). "Pam Bondi calls for debate against opponent George Sheldon". SaintPetersBlog. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  34. ↑ Schorsch, Peter (June 30, 2014). "FMA PAC endorses Rick Scott, Florida Cabinet for re-election". SaintPetersBlog. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  35. ↑ Kevin Derby (August 28, 2014). "Pam Bondi Wins Endorsement of State Troopers Association". Sunshine State News. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  36. ↑ Allison Nielsen (June 23, 2014). "Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Pam Bondi for Re-Election". Sunshine State News. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ William March (June 23, 2014). "PBA backs Crist, Atwater, Bondi, Putnam". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Rick Scott leads a roundup of Times-Union endorsements". The Florida Times-Union. October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Tribune endorsements: Bondi for attorney general; Putnam for agriculture commissioner; Atwater for CFO". Tampa Tribune. October 11, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  40. 1 2 Tia Mitchell (September 2, 2014). "George Sheldon launches campaign PAC". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Bradenton Herald recommends Adam Putnam, George Sheldon, Jeff Atwater for Florida Cabinet". The Bradenton Herald. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Sheldon, Putnam, Atwater for Florida Cabinet". The Miami Herald. October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Sheldon for Atty. General". Orlando Sentinel. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Editorial: Sheldon best pick for attorney general". The Palm Beach Post. October 18, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Pam Bondi's failures leave one choice: George Sheldon". Sun-Sentinel. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Our Opinion: Attorney general". Tallahassee Democrat. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Times recommends: Sheldon for attorney general". Tampa Bay Times. October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  48. ↑ Kevin Derby (October 6, 2014). "Gary Johnson Backs Bill Wohlsifer for Florida Attorney General". Sunshine State News. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 Karl Dickey (July 17, 2014). "NORML fails to endorse best candidate for their cause in Florida AG race". The Libertarian Examiner. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  50. ↑ "For AG, We Recommend Bill Wohlsifer". The Bradenton Times. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
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