Contact:
Sarah Bascom, (850) 294-6636
or Kristen Bridges, (850) 545-1917

Tallahassee, Fla. – Holly Benson, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General, today announced that the Okaloosa County Medical Society, Sarasota County Medical Political Action Committee, Palatka Daily News and Pensacola Independent News have endorsed her in her bid to become the next Attorney General of Florida.

“The Okaloosa County Medical Society is proud to announce its support of Holly Benson for Attorney General in the upcoming 2010 election,” said Carolyn Johnson, executive director of the Okaloosa County Medical Society. “Holly has been a great friend of Medicine and has represented Northwest Florida well over the years in her elected and appointed positions as a public servant.”

“Holly Benson is the most knowledgeable candidate for Attorney General when it comes to health care law,” said Dr. Michael Patete, president of the Sarasota County Medical Political Action Committee. “Now more than ever, we need a State Attorney General with this skill set.”

In their editorial, the Palatka Daily News wrote, “Benson, who has a slight lead among decided voters in the aforementioned poll, is touting a desire to take state government back to basics and says she is the candidate best positioned to carry on current Attorney General Bill McCollum’s challenge of President Obama’s health care reforms. She is a former state legislator and has been in charge of two state agencies, including the Agency for Health Care Administration.”

The Palatka Daily News editorial goes on to say, “We recommend Benson for the nomination. Her experience related to health care issues seems very timely.”

In their endorsement of Holly Benson for the Republican Candidate for Attorney General, the Pensacola Independent News, founded by Joe Scarborough, wrote, “Northwest Florida needs a member on the Florida Cabinet. Benson is our only shot.”

“I am grateful to have the support of so many physicians across the state and of these newspapers,” said Benson. “I am optimistic that on Election Day voters will agree that I am the best qualified candidate to run our party’s ticket to victory in November. We must turn our economy around, fight against federal health care reform and protect our borders – and I am ready to do just that.”

Benson announced her candidacy for Attorney General for the State of Florida on October 29, 2009. Until her announcement, Benson served as Secretary of the AHCA. In that role, Benson worked to significantly reduce Medicaid fraud and to hold health care providers accountable. In addition, she worked to streamline the regulatory process and reduce the regulatory burden for providers and consumers while never compromising the safeguards protecting the health and well-being of patients.
Prior to her appointment as Secretary of the AHCA, she served as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). As head of DBPR she led a team that improved customer service and reduced the red tape taxes that drive up costs for Florida’s businesses and professionals. The department is responsible for licensing more than 1 million Floridians.

Before her appointment to the Governor’s Cabinet, Benson served the people of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze for six years as their representative in the Florida House of Representatives. During her tenure in the legislature, Benson earned a reputation for tackling tough issues. As Chair of the Select Committee on Article V, she led the successful reorganization of the state court system. As Chair of the Committee on State Administration, she updated the state’s procurement code. In addition, as Chair of the Health and Families Council she addressed the tough health care access issues that touch the lives of all Floridians.

Benson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Florida College of Law. She practiced municipal bond law with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. from 1996 to her appointment as Secretary of the DBPR in 2007.

Benson has served on the Florida Council of 100, the Council on Efficient Government and the Board of Directors of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. She is a member of First Methodist Church and a former member of the Downtown Rotary. Benson also served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science and the Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the Holly Benson for Attorney General Campaign, please visit www.hollybenson.com.

# # #

Contact:
Kristen Bridges, (850) 545-1917

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Primary Election: Holly Benson Availability

Pensacola, Fla. – Republican Candidate Holly Benson for Florida Attorney General will be available for questions and comments the night of the Primary Election. See details below.

Participants: Republican Candidate Holly Benson & Campaign

What: Primary Election Night

When: Tuesday, August 24, 2010, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location: Primary Election Night Location
The Fish House
600 South Barracks Street
Pensacola, FL 32502

All media interested in speaking with Holly throughout the day, please contact Kristen Bridges at (850) 545-1917. For more information on the Holly Benson Campaign, please visit www.hollybenson.com.

# # #

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich endorsed Holly Benson in a tight three-way GOP primary for attorney general today.

“The next Attorney General of Florida will have to take the lead on the lawsuit challenging Obamacare,” said Gingrich said in a press release issued by Benson’s campaign. “In my opinion, there is no one more qualified to do this than Holly Benson. So today, I am proud to endorse Holly’s candidacy for Florida Attorney General.”

Benson, a former state House member who also served as secretary of both the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Agency for Health Care Administration, received the endorsement of conservative biggie Gingrich the day after primary opponent Pam Bondi nailed down the support of Tea Party idol Sarah Palin.

“It is a true honor to have the former Speaker’s support of my campaign,” Benson said in a statement. “Newt has been at the cutting edge of conservative policies, leading not only a conservative banner but also leading our party to victory after decades of being the minority in Congress. He is a true conservative icon, and I am proud to have his endorsement.”

The GOP opponents are battling to prove their conservative stripes with their endorsements. Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp has the support of Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly, considered the matriarch of the modern conservative movement and conservative activist John Stemberger, head of the Florida Family Policy Council.

Contact:
Sarah Bascom, (850) 294-6636
or Kristen Bridges, (850) 545-1917

Former U.S. House Speaker Stands in Support of Holly Benson

Tallahassee, Fla. – Holly Benson, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General, today announced former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has endorsed her in her bid to become the next Attorney General of Florida.

“The next Attorney General of Florida will have to take the lead on the lawsuit challenging Obamacare,” said former Speaker Gingrich.  “In my opinion, there is no one more qualified to do this than Holly Benson.  So today, I am proud to endorse Holly’s candidacy for Florida Attorney General.”

“I’ve worked with Holly, and I know she is a proven conservative that you can trust.  Because Holly worked with Governor Jeb Bush to transform Florida’s Medicaid program and served as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, she is uniquely qualified to understand the dire consequences of Obamacare for our health care system and our Constitution,” continued former Speaker Gingrich.

“Beyond that crucial issue, Holly understands that we must reduce unnecessary regulation and fight frivolous lawsuits in order to restore our economy.  She is pro-life, rated A+ by the NRA, and like her mentor Governor Jeb Bush, is a committed free-market capitalist.  Holly Benson will make a great Attorney General for Florida, and I encourage you to consider voting for Holly on August 24,” concluded former Speaker Gingrich.

“I am honored to have Speaker Gingrich’s support,” said Benson.  “Newt has been at the cutting edge of conservative policy, not only blazing a trail for conservatives to follow, but also leading our Party to victory countless times.  He is a true conservative icon, and I am proud to have his endorsement.”

Benson announced her candidacy for Attorney General for the State of Florida on October 29, 2009.  Until her announcement, Benson served as Secretary of the AHCA.  In that role, Benson worked to significantly reduce Medicaid fraud and to hold health care providers accountable.  In addition, she worked to streamline the regulatory process and reduce the regulatory burden for providers and consumers while never compromising the safeguards protecting the health and well-being of patients.
Prior to her appointment as Secretary of the AHCA, she served as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).  As head of DBPR she led a team that improved customer service and reduced the red tape taxes that drive up costs for Florida’s businesses and professionals.  The department is responsible for licensing more than 1 million Floridians.

Before her appointment to the Governor’s Cabinet, Benson served the people of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze for six years as their representative in the Florida House of Representatives.  During her tenure in the legislature, Benson earned a reputation for tackling tough issues.  As Chair of the Select Committee on Article V, she led the successful reorganization of the state court system. As Chair of the Committee on State Administration, she updated the state’s procurement code.  In addition, as Chair of the Health and Families Council she addressed the tough health care access issues that touch the lives of all Floridians.

Benson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Florida College of Law. She practiced municipal bond law with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. from 1996 to her appointment as Secretary of the DBPR in 2007.

Benson has served on the Florida Council of 100, the Council on Efficient Government and the Board of Directors of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation.  She is a member of First Methodist Church and a former member of the Downtown Rotary.  Benson also served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science and the Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the Holly Benson for Attorney General Campaign, please visit www.hollybenson.com.

# # #

Former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Holly Benson, currently running in a close battle for the Republican attorney general nomination, endorsed Attorney General Bill McCollum over Rick Scott in the bitter contest to win the Republican gubernatorial nod.

Benson went all out in attacking Scott in her endorsement of McCollum.

“Over the past year, most of my focus has been on my campaign for attorney general; however, the recent alleged pattern of Rick Scott’s companies involved in defrauding the Medicare program has caused me serious concerns about him leading our party’s ticket in the fall,” said Benson. “As former secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, I am alarmed by these allegations of fraud. Rick Scott should release his deposition.”

Benson also called on Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and former Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi, her two rivals for the attorney general nomination, to join her in backing McCollum.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Holly Benson, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General, today announced her endorsement of Attorney General Bill McCollum in his bid for Governor of the State of Florida.

“Republicans in Florida can count on Bill McCollum’s unwavering, conservative credentials. Just like General McCollum has stood up against Obamacare by leading the lawsuit against its implementation, he can be counted on to fight against Washington trampling on our state rights.

“Over the past year, most of my focus has been on my campaign for Attorney General; however, the recent alleged pattern of Rick Scott’s companies involved in defrauding the Medicare program has caused me serious concerns about him leading our party’s ticket in the fall.

“As former Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, I am alarmed by these allegations of fraud. Rick Scott should release his deposition. I hope Pam Bondi and Jeff Kottkamp will join me in calling on Rick Scott to come clean with Florida voters for the good of our party and our chances for victory in November.”

Benson announced her candidacy for Attorney General for the State of Florida on October 29, 2009. Until her announcement, Benson served as Secretary of the AHCA. In that role, Benson worked to significantly reduce Medicaid fraud and to hold health care providers accountable. In addition, she worked to streamline the regulatory process and reduce the regulatory burden for providers and consumers while never compromising the safeguards protecting the health and well-being of patients.

Prior to her appointment as Secretary of the AHCA, she served as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). As head of DBPR she led a team that improved customer service and reduced the red tape taxes that drive up costs for Florida’s businesses and professionals. The department is responsible for licensing more than 1 million Floridians

Before her appointment to the Governor’s Cabinet, Benson served the people of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze for six years as their representative in the Florida House of Representatives. During her tenure in the legislature, Benson earned a reputation for tackling tough issues. As Chair of the Select Committee on Article V, she led the successful reorganization of the state court system. As Chair of the Committee on State Administration, she updated the state’s procurement code. In addition, as Chair of the Health and Families Council she addressed the tough health care access issues that touch the lives of all Floridians.

Benson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Florida College of Law. She practiced municipal bond law with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. from 1996 to her appointment as Secretary of the DBPR in 2007.

Benson has served on the Florida Council of 100, the Council on Efficient Government and the Board of Directors of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. She is a member of First Methodist Church and a former member of the Downtown Rotary. Benson also served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science and the Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the Holly Benson for Attorney General Campaign, please visit www.hollybenson.com.

# # #

Holly Benson – AG Candidate (R)
She’s the one NOT fighting in the GOP primary, having avoided the mud slinging between the campaigns of Jeff Kottkamp and Pam Bondi. Holly Benson joined us for a quick visit. Click Here to find the interview.

But what Florida needs is an attorney general who wants to do the job and back away from the politicized office it has become. Gov. Charlie Crist used the office as his leapfrog to the governor’s mansion, and current officeholder Bill McCollum is following suit.

Our picks:

Republican: Holly Benson.

In a weak Republican field, we’ll go with the hometown candidate who promises to keep an eye on Panhandle interests in an age when politicians in Tallahassee have a hard time remembering Florida extends west of the capital city.

With much of the state, especially South Florida, posturing to cash in on the oil spill — whether or not a drop of oil ever hits their beaches — it will be important for those in Tallahassee to remember that it was Northwest Florida that bore the brunt of the impact, both economically and environmentally.

There doesn’t seem to be much difference among the three GOP candidates on the issues. But we like Benson’s experience heading complex government agencies, including the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Agency for Health Care Administration, both which give her experience dealing with fraud. Certainly not sexy agencies, but Benson showed a willingness to take them on after serving as a member of the House. And it was while in the House that she took on other unglamorous but crucial jobs, such as organizing a new system of court funding. In large part she shouldered burdens other legislators ducked in order to get support for important projects here, especially the relocation of the Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.

We also like Benson’s unquestioned integrity and honesty, and believe she would approach the job in a manner that puts politics last.

We recommend

Summary of endorsements by the editorial board of the Daily News for the Aug. 24 primary election:

County commissions

Collier

District 2, Republicans

√ Gina Downs

Also in race: Joe Foster, Georgia Hiller

District 4, All voters

√ Fred Coyle

Also in race: Lavigne Kirkpatrick

Lee

District 1, Republicans

√ Mike Jackson

Also in race: Bob Chilmonik, John Manning, Chris Berardi

District 2, Republicans

√ Brian Bigelow

Also in race: Dick Ripp, Sonny Haas, Cecil Pendergrass

School boards

(Nonpartisan)

Collier

District 1

√ Pat Carroll

Also in race: Rosanne Winter, Eric Cox

District 3

√ Reg Buxton

Also in race: Barbara Berry, Kathy Ryan

District 5

√ Joe Whitehead

Also in race: Roy Terry, Mary Ellen Cash

Lee

District 1

√ Arnold Gibbs

Also in race: John Traube, Mary Fischer

District 4

√ Steve Teuber

Also in race: Don Armstrong

District 5

√ Tom Scott

Also in race: Elinor Scricca

Lee County judge

Group 3

√ Miguel Fernandez

Also in race: Dave Shestokas, Frank Mann Jr., Robert Branning

Group 4

√ Archie Hayward

Also in race: Eric Feichthaler

Governor

Republicans

√ Bill McCollum

Also in race: Rick Scott of Naples

Attorney general

Republicans

√ Holly Benson

Also in race: Pam Bondi, Jeff Kottkamp

Democrats

√ Dan Gelber

Also in race: Dave Aronberg

U.S. House

District 25

(Eastern Collier County)

Republicans

√ David Rivera

Also in race: Juan Crespo and Mariana Cancio

Democrats

√ Joe Garcia

Also in race: Luis Fuerice

U.S. Senate

Democrats

√ Kendrick Meek

Also in race: Jeff Greene, Maurice Ferre

Florida House

District 73

(Most of Lee County)

Republicans

√ Jason Moon

Also in race: Matt Caldwell, John Schultz, Deanna Casalino

District 112

(Part of eastern Collier)

Republicans

√ Juan D’Arce

Also in race: Jeanette Nunez, James Guerrero

Democrats

√ Johnny Farias

Also in race: Sandra Ruiz

Florida Senate

District 27

(Eastern part of Lee County to Palm Beach County)

Republicans

√ Sharon Merchant.

Also in race: Lizbeth Benacquisto, Mike Lameyer

Democrats

√ Peter Burkert

Also in race: Kevin Rader

Published: Monday, August 9, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.

The Herald-Tribune has made editorial recommendations in most of the races that appear on the Aug. 24 primary-election ballot. As a service to our readers, we offer a summary of those recommendations. (Note: We have not yet made recommendations in Sarasota County Charter Review Board races.)

Voting in state and local primaries begins today and ends on Aug. 24. In most cases, only voters who declare party membership when they register can vote in that party’s primaries. However, primaries in which the winner faces no opposition in the general election are open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation or lack thereof; such races are designated on the ballot as universal primary contests. Also, school board races, judicial contests and ballot questions are nonpartisan and open to all registered voters.

There will be no runoffs except in nonpartisan races in which no candidate attains a majority of votes. In those races, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held in the Nov. 2 general election.

For races decided by district-only voting, check your voter registration card to determine the district in which you live.

Voters can view candidates’ biographies, compare their responses to questions posed by the Editorial Board and reporters, and produce a customized ballot at www.heraldtribune.com/voterguide.

Read our full editorial recommendations plus stories about local and statewide races, and find online links to county elections offices, at www.heraldtribune.com/election.

Congressional

U.S. Senator, Republican: Marco Rubio

U.S. Senator, Democratic: Kendrick B. Meek

U.S. Representative, 13th District, Republican: Vern Buchanan

U.S. Representative, 13th District, Democratic: James T. Golden

State

Governor, Republican: Bill McCollum

Governor, Democratic: Alex Sink

Attorney General, Republican: Holly Benson

Attorney General, Democratic: Dan Gelber

Legislative

State Representative, 55th District, Democratic: Darryl Ervin Rouson

State Representative, 67th District, Republican: Greg Steube

Judicial

Sarasota County Judge, Group 3, Nonpartisan: Maryann Boehm

Sarasota County

County Commissioner, District 4, Republican: Nora Patterson

School Board Member, District 1, Nonpartisan: Carol Todd

School Board Member, District 4, Nonpartisan: Shirley Brown

School Board Member, District 5, Nonpartisan: Jane Goodwin

Hospital Board, Southern District, Seat 1, Republican: Levko Klos

County Question

Economic Development Ad Valorem (Property) Tax Exemptions: Yes

Municipal Question

Economic Development Ad Valorem (Property) Tax Exemptions: Yes

City of North Port

City Commissioner, Seat 5, Nonpartisan: Fred Tower

Manatee County

County Commissioner, District 2, Universal: Gwendolyn Y. Brown

County Commissioner, District 4, Republican: Norm Luppino

School Board Member, District 1, Nonpartisan: Barbara A. Harvey

School Board Member, District 3, Nonpartisan: Jane R. Pfeilsticker

School Board Member, District 5, Nonpartisan: Jennifer Radebach