Candidate Stuffs Own War Chest
The Mayoral contest in Fort Lauderdale is going rough and tumble!
While the focus for most of us has been the Presidential race just weeks away, the City elections that take place in February and March look to be cruising toward a boil.
The biggest reason for that boil is Mayoral candidate Earl Rynerson.
Rynerson with Victoria Park Resident
Rynerson is a businessman and Gulf War Veteran that is described in the Sun-Sentinel Political Blog as a "tile store owner". That description even brings Rynerson to a simmer. He worries that title belittles his stature in some voters' minds compared to the descriptions given his opponents; lawyer, lawyer, and lawyer.
One thing is for sure, Rynerson is hell bent on being relative in this year's race.
Rynerson faces an uphill battle because he's mixed up in a race that has well known and respected local pols, the likes of State Representative Jack Seiler, and former Commissioner and well known gay activist Dean Trantalis.
Rynerson's latest attempt to get notice involves money - and lots of it. The latest campaign contribution reports show Rynerson with more money in his campaign war chest than the other candidates. His totals were at about $90,000, Seiler's about $75,000, Trantalis's at $16,000, and Rossi at about $3000. He sent out a Press Release touting that fact yesterday.
But what Rynerson failed to clearly say in his release was that most of that money was his. Rynerson loaned his own campaign $77,000.
Seiler, and other local activists say that Rynerson is being dishonest with the voters in his press release. Seiler says he is not worried about Rynerson's deep pockets, but is offended that Rynerson is "trying to make it look like he has more real contributions", than Seiler, and that is clearly not the case.
When asked about what he plans to do with all that scratch, Rynerson says he has a few "out of the box" ideas, that he wasn't ready to divulge, and that he will be using the money "in a variety of ways".
While the focus for most of us has been the Presidential race just weeks away, the City elections that take place in February and March look to be cruising toward a boil.
The biggest reason for that boil is Mayoral candidate Earl Rynerson.
Rynerson with Victoria Park Resident
Rynerson is a businessman and Gulf War Veteran that is described in the Sun-Sentinel Political Blog as a "tile store owner". That description even brings Rynerson to a simmer. He worries that title belittles his stature in some voters' minds compared to the descriptions given his opponents; lawyer, lawyer, and lawyer.
One thing is for sure, Rynerson is hell bent on being relative in this year's race.
Rynerson faces an uphill battle because he's mixed up in a race that has well known and respected local pols, the likes of State Representative Jack Seiler, and former Commissioner and well known gay activist Dean Trantalis.
Rynerson's latest attempt to get notice involves money - and lots of it. The latest campaign contribution reports show Rynerson with more money in his campaign war chest than the other candidates. His totals were at about $90,000, Seiler's about $75,000, Trantalis's at $16,000, and Rossi at about $3000. He sent out a Press Release touting that fact yesterday.
But what Rynerson failed to clearly say in his release was that most of that money was his. Rynerson loaned his own campaign $77,000.
Seiler, and other local activists say that Rynerson is being dishonest with the voters in his press release. Seiler says he is not worried about Rynerson's deep pockets, but is offended that Rynerson is "trying to make it look like he has more real contributions", than Seiler, and that is clearly not the case.
When asked about what he plans to do with all that scratch, Rynerson says he has a few "out of the box" ideas, that he wasn't ready to divulge, and that he will be using the money "in a variety of ways".
More whining from Seiler and Trantalis. What can one expect?
Seiler is a political hack looking for another job because he's been kicked out of the Florida Legislature by term limits. If he can't be elected, he might have to work for a living! LOL. Look at his campaign report. You'll see far too many non-Fort Lauderdale residents kicking in money. However, that should not be a surprise to anyone, since Seiler is not a Fort Lauderdale resident.
Trantalis is simply a wimp with no chance with us. He wimped out before and nobody will ever trust his commitment to office again. WITHDRAW Dean, and do all of us a favor!
Rynerson's spending his own money is refreshing, as it was when Michael Bloomberg and Mit Romney did the same thing. What better display of confidence can there be that to put your money where your mouth is?
Earl for Mayor!
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I agree with everything you stated we need Rynerson !!!!
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I have to agree that Seiler should not be throwing stones in his glass house - almost all of his contributions are of the $250 kind. And while he can't accept lobbyist and corporate checks, you know that's where these are coming from - his connections in this area.
I do have to disagree with the assertion that someone Trantalis "wimped" out. THe man completed his 3 year term as city commission. I for one appreciate candidate who don't necesarily feel as though these are lifetime positions.
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I think it's a little deceiving that Rynerson is trying to make it appear as if he is the contribution front-runner.
Look, let's face it, you need to be a previously elected official in order to run for Mayor.
It's as simple as that.
He'll put up a good fight and get a few votes, but I can't believe that a significant percentage of Fort Lauderdale residents would actually vote for someone as our Mayor who has never held elective office in Florida previously.
Beyond that, as it stands now, it's between Seiler and Trantalis.
I'm sorry, I'm for Trantalis. He's the only person in the race who was a previous City Commissioner, and Seiler is only running because he's term limited out of State Rep.
Being term limited out is NOT a good reason to run for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. Not to mention that Seiler doesn't live in Fort Lauderdale (oh, he moved in 6 whole months ago) and has never served as an elected official in Fort Lauderdale... c'mon, the writing is on the wall.
There is no perfect candidate, but Trantalis is the best one to vote for... in my humble opinion.
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Sorry, but you've got your Trantalis facts wrong.
Dean wimped out of his position on the City Commission to be able to spend more time with his boyfriend. He should have resigned, but stayed on as a lame duck.
If he were to be elected Mayor, he would start as a lame duck and stay as a lame duck. Fort Lauderdale cannot afford "Dean the Quitter."
It is a HUGE advantage that Rynerson has is not a political hack with prior electoral experience.
It is also a HUGE advantage that he is NOT a lawyer.
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Good point about his not being a lawyer.
Bad point that having no political experience is a good thing.
OK point that Dean would be a lame duck. He wouldn't be running unless he wanted it; at least I hope so.
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Rynerson obviously wanted to make headlines with how much he "raised". Why else would you loan your campaign so much money when you haven't spent that much? Wouldn't it make more sense to loan say, $5,000 now and then more as it was needed? Why would a voter and contributer give to someone who already had loaned himself so much money? I'd figure, hey, he doesn't need my contribution, he's got enough of his own money that he's willing to spend to run for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale.
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I find it refreshing that Rynerson has enough confidence in his positions and his campaign to underwrite it out of his money. He clearly is not beholding to big money interests, or non-Florida PACs (like Seiler), but is a true independent candidate. No strings are attached to him, so he is the only altruistic candidate.
As if that is not enough - he is the only one that is not a lawyer.
Don't Vote For Lawyers!
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Quote: "Rynerson is a businessman and Gulf War Veteran that is described in the Sun-Sentinel Political Blog as a "tile store owner". That description even brings Rynerson to a simmer. He worries that title belittles his stature in some voters' minds compared to the descriptions given his opponents; lawyer, lawyer, and lawyer."
What are the reasons there are so many lawyer jokes? THEY EARNED THEM!
Why does the American Public hold lawyers lower in presige than used car salesmen or real estate salesmen? THEY EARNED IT.
Be PROUD Earl.
Voters, DON'T VOTE FOR LAWYERS!
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