Gelber for Attorney General: They’re coming after me…we need to fight back

Friends,

We have less than 30 days to go until Election Day. Media report that this race could go either way and your support will make the difference.

Today, we learned that national special interests supporting my opponent and worried about this race, began to pour in over $400,000 in television advertising in the Central Florida region in one week alone. The attacks are the same, tired partisan talking-points — but they can’t go unrebutted in this critical market.

We are ready to respond but need your help now to have the funds to go up on air by the weekend.

I want to let them know that I am the only candidate they can count on to push back the powerful and corrupting influences that have overwhelmed state government and are funding my opponents ads.

I am ready to send this message, but I need your help to get on the airwaves immediately and fight back.

Whatever you were thinking of doing, we need in hand or online ASAP.

Thanks for your support.

Dan

Gelber To Feinberg On Making It Right: “Obfuscation, and a process…filled with more chutes than ladders.”

State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) yesterday sent the following letter to BP claims czar Ken Feinberg: … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: First Poll Shows Us Tied  

Friends,

Good news.

The first poll released today by Mason-Dixon shows us in a statistical tie with our Republican opponent.

While it’s good to be tied, the poll also shows that a great number of Floridians are still undecided.

So thank you for your help so far, but now is the time we have to work hard to reach these undecided voters. Florida is a massive state and it costs literally millions to run state-wide.

Simply put, I need your donation to prevail.

I am proud to run for this office because it is in dire need of new leadership. While my opponent has chosen to engage in a hyper-partisan campaign, we need an Attorney General who will protect Floridians rather than engage in the national political circus.

The challenges are too great to sit on the sidelines. This is our best opportunity to set our great state on a path for a better tomorrow.

So please donate so we can get our message out. Please donate to bring a better discourse. Please donate for a better Florida.

Thanks,

Dan
P.S. Remember, if you gave in the primary, you can give again to help us win in November.

Dan Gelber For Attorney General: Fighting For Floridians

In just a few weeks absentee voting begins and already my opponent’s strategy has emerged. She is intent on making this race as partisan as possible.

As the St. Pete Times reported, her speeches and web site are filled with harsh anti-Washington rhetoric. She even has a graphic of her facing off against Speaker Pelosi, and photographs and commentary from her main supporter, Sarah Palin.

She should know better. We are running to be Attorney General – a position that literally impacts people’s liberty. The last thing Floridians should wonder is whether the person making those weighty decisions is filled with a partisan agenda.

So while she is fighting President Obama, we will be fighting for all Floridians.

But I need your help to get this message out.

With just weeks before absentee voting begins, we must have sufficient resources to compete. If you gave in the primary – you are allowed to give again – as this is considered a new election.

I appreciate my emails can be incessant – but I believe that this election is too important not to push. We are better qualified for this job and more importantly, we don’t believe an Attorney General should be a partisan flamethrower.

But we can’t prevail without your support and contribution. Please go online by the day’s end as this filing period ends at midnight.

Sorry to nudge – but we have to win this!

Dan

State Senator Dan Gelber Comments on the House Leaderships Efforts to Block Special Session to Aide North Floridians

Miami Beach, Fla. State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) today released the following statement on the House leadership’s efforts to block a special legislative session that would aid North Floridians impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: Dan Gelber’s Little Brother

There are many reasons why I so strongly support Dan Gelber for Attorney General – including his integrity, experience and leadership. But if you want to know why I so passionately believe in him, please take a look at this video.
Thanks-

State Sen. Arthenia Joyner

P.S. Please feel free to forward this to relatives and friends who may be interested….

Dan Gelber For Attorney General: Breaking News: Latest poll has us ahead

Momentum’s on our side.

We have more cash on hand than any other candidate for Attorney General and the latest poll released this afternoon has us leading our primary opponent.

The poll conducted for the Florida Press Association and Leadership Florida by Mason-Dixon has us ahead by a 2-pt margin.

However, the poll also shows that we have our work cut out in the final two weeks.

And the good news continues.

You can add the Naples Daily News as the sixth newspaper to endorse my campaign for Attorney General.

In their endorsement, the Naples Daily News writes:
“Gelber’s experience as a federal prosecutor gets the nod. For nearly a decade starting in the mid-1980s, he handled marquee public-corruption, civil-rights and narcotics prosecutions. He went on to work for the U.S. Senate on counterterrorism and domestic security, and fraud and waste in government.”

“Add terms in the Florida House and Senate and you have a resume that overpowers Aronberg’s few years as a … prosecutor and seven years in the state Senate.”
My primary opponent has yet to receive a single endorsement from a newspaper. So to distinguish himself he has resorted to false and unseemly campaign attacks. In fact, Editorial boards have called his attacks “dishonest”,“manufactured” and  a“scare tactic”.

Help send a message to my opponent that his politics as usual and mudslinging campaign needs to end. Contribute today so we can have the resources to fight back against his continued false attacks.

See you on the trail…
Dan

Dan Gelber Receives Key Endorsement from SEIU Florida

SEIU points to Gelber’s record of protecting consumers and history of standing up for working families

Miami Beach, Fla.- The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Florida today announced that its 45,000 members endorse State Sen. Dan Gelber for Attorney General. In their endorsement, SEIU Florida pointed to Gelber’s record of fighting for a strong and accessible healthcare system for Floridians and long history of standing up for working families.

Monica Russo, President, SEIU Florida State Council shared, “The members of SEIU Florida enthusiastically endorse State Sen. Dan Gelber in his campaign for Attorney General. Over the years, it has been Dan Gelber who has unequivocally fought for working families, children and seniors, no matter the consequences. Dan shares our member’s values and principles for quality care, a respect for worker’s rights and a commitment to new opportunities for all Floridians. Dan has always stood up for working families in the past and I know he will continue to do so as our next Attorney General.”

Sen. Gelber said, “I am honored to have the support of SEIU Florida because we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder fighting for the millions of Floridians who lack health insurance and for a quality healthcare system that does not leave anyone behind. I look forward to continue working with SEIU as we bring much needed change to Florida.”

SEIU Florida represents 45,000 active and retired healthcare professionals, public employees, and property service workers and is the largest and fastest-growing union in the state.  SEIU members provide vital public services in Florida’s hospitals, nursing homes, public schools, community colleges, municipal government, malls, and universities. With over 2.2 million members, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America.

SEIU Florida joins AFSCME Florida Council, Florida Pipe Trades Council, United Teachers of Dade, Broward Teachers Union, Volusia Teachers Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Transportation Union, International Union of Operating Engineers and the South Florida Council of Fire Fighters in supporting Dan Gelber’s campaign for Attorney General.

Dan Gelber was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2000, serving as the House Democratic Leader from 2006-2008; and elected to the State Senate in 2008. Prior to elected life, Dan spent nearly a decade as a top federal prosecutor, working on public corruption, narcotics and civil rights cases, and serving as a top deputy in that office. He was then appointed chief counsel and staff director for the United States Senate’s investigations committee where he focused on terrorism and domestic security.

Dan has the support of Democrats like Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, former Congressman Jim Davis, every Democratic State Attorney who has endorsed in this race and more than 30 current and former state legislators. Dan has been endorsed by AFSCME Florida Council 79, the South Florida Council of Fire Fighters, Equality Florida and many other organizations.

Dan is an AV rated attorney and listed in various peer review publications including Best Lawyers in America and Florida’s Legal Elite. He and his wife Joan Silverstein, a career prosecutor, make their home in Miami Beach with their three children.  For more information about Dan Gelber, please visit www.dangelber.com.

Dan Gelber For Attorney General: St Petersburg Times becomes 5th Newspaper to Endorse

Add the St. Petersburg Times to the list of newspapers who have endorsed my campaign for Attorney General. This marks the fifth consecutive newspaper to recommend me over my opponent.

In their endorsement, the St. Petersburg Times writes:

“Gelber’s breadth of legal experience and superior leadership skills make him the better choice for the state’s top legal job.”

“…Gelber has the edge in legal experience and political savvy in Tallahassee. In the Democratic primary for attorney general, the Times recommends Dan Gelber.”

Momentum continues to build for our campaign as August 24th approaches. And with Early Vote beginning in just a few days, I need your help now more than ever. If you have not yet contributed to my campaign or if you are getting a friend or relative to do so, now would be a good time.

Thanks and see you on the trail…

Dan

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: Really Good News

With your help, we have raised over $1 million. And heading into the final 23 days of the campaign when a robust voter communication program is critical, I have close to $1.1 million in the bank- this is more than any candidate in the AG race.

And the good news continues with my opponent’s own hometown newspaper, the Palm Beach Post, being the latest newspaper to endorse my campaign.

In their endorsement, the Palm Beach Post shares: … Continue Reading

State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) calls on Governor to immediately issue executive order

State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Tuesday called on the Governor to immediately issue an executive order:

“If the Republican leadership of the Florida Legislature continues on its ill fated course of failure to meet the needs of our state’s unemployed, I call on the governor to immediately issue an executive order. The governor needs to stand up when the people’s representatives fail to meet their obligations to those they represent. Surely, a quarter of a million out of work Floridians are deserving of the same representation the special interests appear to get. … Continue Reading

Senate Democratic Caucus Calls On Republican Leadership To Reconvene And Pass Unemployment Glitch Bill

TALLAHASSEE – The Senate Democratic Caucus on Tuesday called on the Republican Legislative Leadership to re-summon their members and take up legislation clearing the way for hundreds of thousands of out of work Floridians to continue receiving unemployment benefits. … Continue Reading

Gelber to House Republican’s: Gavel and Go a “childish temper tantrum”

Tallahassee, Fla. – State Senator Dan Gelber issued the following statement on the Florida House Republican leadership’s decision to “gavel and go” without delivering solutions to coastal residents facing growing challenges from the oil spill and denying Floridians an opportunity to have the final say on near-shore drilling:

“In what could be best called a childish temper tantrum, House Republicans today grabbed their ball and stormed off the field allowing petty political battles to trump the best interests of Floridians. They permitted their contempt for the Governor to overwhelm discussion of a fair and timely policy issue. They succumbed to their basest political instincts at the expense of the interests of those that elected them. … Continue Reading

State Sen. Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) issued the following statement on Governor Crist’s call for a summer special session

State Sen. Dan Gelber issued the following statement on Governor Crist’s call for a summer special session

Miami Beach, Fla. – “Since May 5th I have been asking the Governor to call a Special Session to address a near-shore drilling ban. I am heartened by Governor Crist’s apparent decision to do precisely that. I would hope, however, that in addition we would address the immediate needs of our citizens who are already feeling pain and anxiety from the spill. I would hope we would: … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: Now is the Time

The election is upon us and it’s crunch time. Every poll has had me up, so my opponent is doing what politicians do when they are behind: take the low road where he figures he has his best shot to win:

Mr. Gelber’s primary opponent, Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, is trying to score political points from an imagined Gelber-BP link. – Palm Beach Post

I’m not going to join him, but I absolutely won’t back down either. I intend to win but I need your help. I need your support now, so please donate what you can at http://www.dangelber.com/donate. For those that were waiting for later, now is the time. … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber For Attorney General: Doing the right thing

Throughout my career, whether as a long-time federal prosecutor, a counter terrorism chief investigator in the United States Senate or as a state legislator, I have tried to stay true to the principle that standing on the side of what’s right is always better than standing on the side of what’s right for me. When the BP oil spill hit, I immediately went on the offensive, drafting proposals to protect the state and its taxpayers, calling on Governor Crist for a special session on oil drilling, and just last week, suggesting the state give the Attorney General criminal jurisdiction so that he might go after BP and other wrongdoers for potential criminal misdeeds.

And I did one other thing last week, I resigned from my law firm upon learning after the fact that they had signed up to represent BP in court. Although lawyers do not assume the virtues or defects of their clients, I have been the leading and harshest critic of BP and of off-shore oil drilling for many years, and believed if I am to run for Attorney General I should not have any association with the company.

Several people, including some of my closest advisers told me to call a press conference last week and pat myself on the back for taking a principled stand. But I didn’t because doing the right thing is never a cause for celebration. But unfortunately, last night, my opponent in the primary, in what could only be considered a rank political stunt, decided to politicize the tragic oil spill calling on me to resign even after I had already done so. Sadly, while I continue to offer real solutions to hold BP accountable and help victims impacted by the spill, my opponent is focused on scoring political points.  The stakes in this race are too important for politics as usual and I really hoped this campaign, unlike so many others, would remain on the high road.

If there is any question how I will govern on cases like BP, just look at my record, where time and time again, I have stood up against the powerful special interests that have had their way with too many. Whether it’s standing up against developers who wanted free reign to use our resources, insurance companies who want to increase your rates for their profits or oil companies who just as recently as a few months ago were trying to convince the legislature it was safe to drill within 3 miles of our coastline, I have never backed down from a fight, I’ve never given into the politics of Tallahassee and I don’t find religion in even year elections.

And I can promise you one thing, if there is one person that BP is scared of facing in court, it is the only one who has a consistent record of standing on the side of consumers and who has actually faced down gang leaders, corrupt politicians and crooked corporate leaders in a court of law.

Thanks for your support,

Dan

Senator Gelber: Supreme Court Ruling on Honest Services Makes the Case for Stronger State Anti Corruption Laws

TALLAHASSEE  – Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Thursday released the following statement regarding today’s U.S. Supreme Court “Honest Services” ruling: … Continue Reading

Gelber, Fitzgerald and Kriseman Urge Crist to Call Summer Special Session

Extraordinary crisis stemming from BP oil spill requires immediate action from legislature

Tallahassee, Fla.  State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) and State Representatives Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota) and Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) today sent a letter to Governor Charlie Crist urging him to convene the legislature in a summer special session to address the complex challenges from the BP oil spill. In their letter, the trio present five areas on which legislative leaders should focus their attention during the special session. … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: Breaking News- Major Endorsement

I am humbled and honor to announce that the 100,000 men and women of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) of Florida have endorsed my campaign for Attorney General. … Continue Reading

The attached letter was sent to T. Willard Fair, State Board of Ed Chair, by Sens. Gelber and Rich, requesting an audit and investigation into NCS Pearson’s FCAT contract failures.

T. Willard Fair
Chairman of State Board of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Re: Request for Investigation on the NCS Pearson contract

Dear Chairman Fair:
We urge the State Board of Education to investigate fully the circumstances surrounding the failure of NCS Pearson to comply with the terms of its contract to provide testing services to the State of Florida. … Continue Reading