Dan Gelber For Attorney General: A Year Ago

Friends,

A year ago today I announced my candidacy for Attorney General.  Since then I have been to every corner of our State and met thousands of Floridians who share my belief that we need to chart a better course.

Now, one year later, we have raised close to $1 million, and garnered the support of great Democrats like Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz; mayors like Jack Seiler in Ft Lauderdale, Pam Iorio in Tampa and Joe Boles in St Augustine; and every Democratic State Attorney who has endorsed in this race, along with the 21 state legislators who have chosen me over my primary opponent.

And today, I am humbled to add the South Florida Council of Fire Fighters to the growing list of organizations who are supporting me. My good friend, Dean Parkerson, the president of the South Florida Council of Fire Fighters shared this about my campaign:

“Our Council is proud to endorse Dan Gelber as Florida’s next Attorney General. Dan has proven he understands the issues firefighters face day in and day out and I know he will fight for us in Tallahassee. His record as a top prosecutor and his experience in strengthening emergency response efforts will serve Dan well as he confronts the growing challenges of our state as Attorney General.”

As a federal prosecutor for nearly a decade I learned what it means to fight for a principle. As your Attorney General, I will stand up to anyone no matter how powerful. Whether it’s BP or one of the many scam artists that find their way to Florida – I will not back down.

So, though I am ahead in every poll, there is much to do as most Floridians still lack familiarity with our race. Primary Election Day is less than 80 days away, and I need your help — including your financial contribution –  to spread our message that we can change our State’s direction for the better.

Be part of the growing list of supporters who want a true consumer advocate in their next Attorney General.

Please join our campaign today.

Thanks,

Dan

Sen. Gelber to Gov. Crist: Coordination, compensation, unification needed to combat Gulf disaster

State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Monday sent the following letter to Gov. Charlie Crist:

file:///private/var/tmp/folders.507/TemporaryItems/com.apple.mail.drag-T0x290a860.tmp.GzerFM/6.7.2010%20Letter%20to%20Governor%20Crist%5B1%5D.pdf … Continue Reading

Senator Gelber on Budget Vetoes

TALLAHASSEE – State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach)on Friday released the following statement regarding the Governor’s budget actions:

“I’m glad Governor Crist vetoed some of the ideological pork in the budget like the stem cell research ban. I’m also glad he provided some protection to the most vulnerable of our citizens by rejecting health care cost reductions. … Continue Reading

Senator Dan Gelber: Florida House Using Ultrasound Bill as Trade-Bait?

TALLAHASSEE – Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Thursday released the following statement regarding the failure by the Florida House to send to Governor Charlie Crist HB 1143 (the Ultrasound Bill):

“The Florida House should quit playing games and send the Ultrasound Bill to Governor Crist for his prompt review and hopeful veto. Ironically, the bill was rushed through the legislature without warning or serious thought, and now it’s one of the last bills the House is holding on to. My concern is that it’s being used as trade-bait in the games that too often define Tallahassee. Floridians are tired of this kind of gamesmanship, especially on issues this important.” … Continue Reading

Florida’s White-Knuckle Moment

By State Senator Dan Gelber
May 20, 2010

http://www.dangelber.com/blog/view_blog.php?ID=226

As I’m driving back from Key West today and looking over the vistas and businesses that make up this area, it’s painful to fathom the potential impact of the oil spill. Perhaps that is the challenge we are facing. Imagining the unimaginable. Floridians know hurricanes. We can plot coordinates, know how to prepare our homes and families, and have cleaned up the mess left in the wake of some real monsters. A hurricane is a body shot from nature and we know how to brace ourselves for the hit. But an oil spill does not have the forensics of a blunt trauma; it’s more like a cancer. It is subterranean, quiet and unpredictable. Unlike a hurricane, its wake may be more permanent and wounds less likely to heal. … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: We’re in the lead…but lots to do

Mason-Dixon released its first poll of the Attorney General’s race and it shows us leading our primary opponent by three points. This is the second straight poll that has us in the lead. While it’s better to be ahead, both polls also show that the great majority 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. … Continue Reading

New Sachs/Mason-Dixon Poll: Undecided Voters Control Competitive Cabinet Races, Amendment Campaigns

“Hometown Democracy” exceeds 60 percent

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new statewide poll released by Ron Sachs Communications shows an open and competitive field in the state Cabinet races for Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Agriculture Commissioner, with most voters undecided.

In a likely General Election match-up for Agriculture Commissioner, former Tallahassee mayor and past Democratic Party chairman Scott Maddox (D) and U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam (R) are neck-and-neck, with Maddox leading 31 percent to 30 percent, well within the 4 percent margin of error. Thirty-nine percent of registered voters are undecided.

In the likely match-up for Chief Financial Officer, Senate President Jeff Atwater (R) leads with 33 percent, while former state Rep. Loranne Ausley (D) has 26 percent and 41 percent of registered voters are undecided.

In the Republican Primary for Florida Attorney General, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp leads with 13 percent, Hillsborough prosecutor Pam Bondi has 10 percent and former legislator and ACHA Secretary Holly Benson has 5 percent. Seventy-two percent of likely Republican primary voters are undecided.

And in the Democratic Primary for Florida Attorney General, state Sen. Dan Gelber leads with 15 percent, and state Sen. Dave Aronberg has 12 percent. Seventy-three percent of likely Democratic primary voters are undecided. … Continue Reading

Sink, Gelber, Kriseman, Fitzgerald Propose Constitutional Amendment That Protects Florida’s Coastline

Proposed constitutional amendment empowers voters to ban oilrigs from lining Florida’s beaches

Miami, FL— Joining together from coast to coast, CFO Alex Sink, State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach), and State Representatives Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota) and Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) called on Governor Charlie Crist to reconvene the legislature for a special session to consider a constitutional amendment that would ban drilling off of Florida’s beaches. Hosting press conferences in Miami and St. Petersburg, the three lawmakers released proposed legislation they intend to file should the legislature be called into special session. … Continue Reading

State Senator Dan Gelber to Hold Press Conference to Make Important Announcement Regarding Oil Spill Impacts

Miami Beach, Fla. – State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) will hold a press conference on Thursday, May 6 at 11am to make an important announcement regarding the impacts of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and how we can protect the state from oil drilling off Florida’s coast.

The details of the press conference are below.

DATE: Thursday, May 6
TIME: 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Public park behind Miami Beach Fire Station #3
5301 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Fl 33140

**Parking for media attending the event will be available.

Contact: Debby Schwartz
305-535-5485

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: Make Crist Stand with Women

Last week, with virtually no notice and at the eleventh hour, the Republican leadership rammed two amendments onto HB 1143, intending to involve the State of Florida in the most personal of choices a woman can make.

The first amendment creates a requirement that a woman who is considering terminating her pregnancy in the first trimester must review and have a live ultrasound explained to her, in order to obtain the “informed consent” required to have the procedure. The amendment further provides that a woman who has been raped or is the victim of incest may be excused from this requirement so long as she produces proof of the rape in the form of a police report or court order. … Continue Reading

Sen. Gelber to Gov. Crist: Recall the Legislature to Halt Public Corruption and Oil Drilling

Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Tuesday sent the following letter to Gov. Charlie Crist.

May 4, 2010

The Honorable Charlie Crist
Governor, The State of Florida
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1399

Dear Governor Crist:

The only thing more troubling than the issues passed by the Florida legislature this year were the issues left on the table. Now is the time to call the Legislature back, tell them to finish the job, and address head on the growing threat to Florida’s economy from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. … Continue Reading

Dan Gelber for Attorney General: Back to The Campaign Trail

From thwarting redistricting reform, to invading a woman’s right to choose through forced ultrasounds, or outright attacks on teachers and school children – no one was safe this Legislative Session.

Which is why this Session made me even more committed to serving as your Attorney General. More than ever Florida needs an Attorney General who is unafraid to take a stand; who doesn’t duck the tough issues; and who stands up for everyday people. An Attorney General who will take on all comers, even the right wing Florida legislature. … Continue Reading

Sen. Dan Gelber: Final Video Message: 2010 Legislative Session

In his final video message from Tallahassee, State Sen. Dan Gelber describes the 2010 legislative session in one word: horrible. No Floridian was safe this legislative session, no man, woman, or child. … Continue Reading

Gelber Issues Statement on the Close of 2010 Session

2010 Legislative Session was guided by ideological frolics and a politically driven agenda

Tallahassee, Fla. – State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Friday issued the following statement on 2010 Sine Die:

“No Floridian was safe this legislative session, no man, woman, or child. The legislature veered hard to the right, moving even farther out of step with Floridians. They spared no one as their politically driven agenda took aim at women’s privacy rights, children, public school teachers, working families and vulnerable citizens. While the unemployment rate reached an all time high of 12.3 percent, record foreclosures continued and millions still lack health insurance, Senate Republican Leaders pressed forward with their effort to advance a politically driven agenda during the legislative session. … Continue Reading

Gelber Calls on Floridians to Urge Governor Crist to Veto HB 1143

Eleventh hour amendment added to legislation wages an assault on a woman’s right to privacy

Tallahassee, Fla. –A last minute, politically motivated amendment to HB 1143 by Republican Senate Leaders that consumed hours of debate on Wednesday and Thursday of this week passed the Senate over the objections from Republicans and Democrats. … Continue Reading

Gelber passes “You Talk You Walk” law that bans all use of cell phones for novice drivers

“You talk, you walk” legislation sponsored by Sen. Gelber prohibits the operation of a moving motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device or wireless telephone by any persons under the age of 18 Wins Senate Approval; headed to House … Continue Reading

Statement: Sen. Gelber Urges Colleagues to Put Oil Drilling Debate in the Rearview Mirror

Tallahassee, Fla. – State Senator Dan Gelber issued the following statement on the growing risks to Florida’s coasts from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico: … Continue Reading

Statement: Sen. Gelber Expresses Disappointment Over Republican Leaders Continued Effort to Push Politically Driven Agenda During Final Days of Session

Tallahassee, Fla. – Following a lengthy debate on a last minute amendment by Republican Senate Leaders that takes aim at women across Florida, State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) issued the following statement: … Continue Reading

State Sen. Dan Gelber on the Continued Push by Republican Legislative Leaders to Authorize the Attorney General’s Frivolous Lawsuit

Tallahassee, Fla. – In a continued push to ignore the desires of Floridians to drop the politically driven lawsuit led by Attorney General Bill McCollum, Republican legislative leaders filed an amendment to HB 1143 authorizing General McCollum to continue his frivolous litigation blocking Floridians from meaningful health care reform. In response to the choice by Republican leaders to thwart the will of Floridians, State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Wednesday issued the following statement: … Continue Reading

Gelber Passes Legislation to Protect Tenants in Foreclosure

Legislation protects tenants from eviction at foreclosure

Tallahassee, Fla. – State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) passed out of the State Senate landmark legislation, SB 606, that will protect tenants when a residential property is under foreclosure. The legislation allows for a tenant to remain in possession of the residence, from a purchaser, until the end of the lease term or at least 90 days after a notice of termination. The legislation also provides protections for security deposits of renters and tenants in properties that are being foreclosed. … Continue Reading