Holly Benson for Attorney General: Endorsements Across the State Roll in for Holly Benson

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.” … Continue Reading

RPOF: Endorsements Across the State Roll in for Holly Benson

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.

Holly Benson for Attorney General: Deadline—Midnight Tonight

Today’s the deadline. At midnight fundraising for the Primary is closed.  Please do what you can to help in these last remaining hours.

It’s been dubbed the year of the outsider.  But as election day draws near, voters are becoming increasingly wary of newcomers who spout conservative sound-bites but who fail to understand the issues and who have no track record on leadership.  The challenges we face are too important for us to gamble our future. … Continue Reading

Holly Benson Endorses Bill McCollum for Governor

Benson has Serious Concerns About Scott as a Republican Nominee

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. … Continue Reading

Pensacola News Journal Endorses Holly Benson

I am proud to announce that my hometown paper – the Pensacola News Journal – has endorsed me in my bid to become the Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General in the primary election on August 24th.

In their editorial, the Pensacola News Journal writes “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.”

I thank my hometown paper for their support, and I hope that you will join them and the many others in supporting my campaign for Attorney General.

With your vote, I believe we can create the jobs we need to rebuild the Florida dream.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Endorses Holly Benson

I am pleased to announce that the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has endorsed me in my bid to become the Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General in the primary election on August 24th.

In their editorial, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune writes, “With little to differentiate the candidates on the issues, voters should look to experience critical to the job of attorney general. On that score, Benson has the advantage.

“While serving as the state’s chief legal officer, the attorney general’s primary duty of is to run a large and diverse state agency. Among the agency’s chief responsibilities is to combat consumer fraud in various areas, including health care, financial activities and mortgage lending. Within the department is the Office of Statewide Prosecution, which targets criminal activities.

“Benson is the only one of the three to run a major state agency, and she ran two of them under Gov. Charlie Crist. She first headed the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and more recently was secretary of the Agency of Health Care Administration. At the AHCA, she fought health care fraud.

“Before joining the Crist administration, Benson served three terms as a state representative from the Pensacola area. She was a municipal bond lawyer from 1996 until her appointment to the DBPR in 2007.

“The breadth of Benson’s experience gives her the edge over her Republican rivals.”

The editorial goes on to say, “In a primary in which the candidates seem to be competing for the title of ‘most conservative,’ Benson’s experience in state government gives her an edge.”

I thank the Sarasota Herald-Tribune for their words of support, and I hope that you will join them and many others in supporting my campaign for the next Attorney General.

With your vote, I believe that we can create the jobs we need to rebuild the Florida dream.

Holly Benson For Attorney General: Early Voting Begins Today

Early Voting Polls Open
Cast Your Vote for Holly Benson Today!

After nine months of traveling the state in one small rental car after another, after countless rallies, coffees and Republican meetings, after listening carefully to what matters most to Floridians, I cannot believe the day is finally here: early voting starts today.

And I need you now.  Please go to the polls.  Bring your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.  Remind them how important this election is.

To locate an early voting location closest to you, please click on the link below.

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/pdf/Early_Voting_Sites_Primary_2010.pdf

Never before has the role of Florida’s Attorney General been more critical to the future of our state and nation.

Rising unemployment, growing deficits and unprecedented government growth threaten the Florida dream.

Your next Attorney General can either define the role narrowly as Florida’s Top Cop, or she can use the unique tools of the office to address the complex, pressing problems facing Floridians.

My mission as Attorney General is simple: to put the bad guys behind bars and put the good guys back to work.  I will:
ensure that our laws have teeth so law enforcement can keep our neighborhoods and families safe;
launch a Regulatory Strike Force to identify unnecessary regulations that unduly burden businesses and work to repeal them, and
fight for litigation reform to end the frivolous lawsuits that are clogging our courts and costing businesses millions.
I will continue the lawsuit challenging Obamacare.  It is an assault on our Constitution, but it also threatens the health of families. I chaired Health Care in the Florida House. I oversaw the Agency that regulates health care in Florida.  I understand first-hand the problems inherent in government-run health care.  Moreover, this huge federal mandate undermines the free market foundations of our nation.  I am prepared to take on this challenge and win.

I am also committed to protecting our borders, prosecuting gang members and safeguarding our families.  But not all criminals carry guns.  Some of the most dangerous crimes are not in the street, but in cyberspace.  Crimes like identity theft, cyber crime and financial scams target not our physical safety, but our savings.  I am a bond lawyer.  I understand financial markets, and I will work to protect families from this new breed of criminal.

I am proud to be a conservative.  I am pro-life and have received an A+ rating from the NRA.  And I am a Ronald Reagan optimist.

With your vote, I believe that we can rebuild the Florida dream.

Holly Benson For Attorney General: A Message from Carole Jean Jordan

Yesterday I announced my endorsement of Holly Benson for Attorney General of Florida, and I urge you to join me in supporting her.

Holly is the one true conservative, the one real Republican in the race. One of her Primary opponents is a trial lawyer, who as a legislator crossed party lines to vote against tort reform.  Enough said. The other is a life-long Democrat, who votes only occasionally and whose switch to Republican seemed, to a professional observer, more of a career move than a sincere philosophical conversion.

Holly is the real deal. I watched Holly the first time she ran for the House in a seat with 60% Democrat registration when no one gave her a chance.  She simply out-worked the other candidates.  And she won on her principles—our principles—of less government, lower taxes, more freedom.  She led from those principles in the Florida House where she earned the reputation of tackling the tough issues—and winning.

A Reagan Republican and a died-in-the-wool free-market capitalist, Benson stayed true to our values as Secretary of two state agencies—reducing regulation, cutting fees, improving accountability.

As our state bumps to 12% unemployment, we need an Attorney General who knows how to help create jobs.  Holly spent ten years as a bond lawyer.  She understands financial markets.  As head of the agency that regulates businesses and professions in Florida, she saw first-hand what over-regulation is doing to entrepreneurs.  That’s why she cut red tape and reduced regulation.  And she is committed enacting meaningful tort reform.

Florida’s next Attorney General will inherit one of the great battles of our time— the lawsuit against Obamacare.  The very foundation of our economic greatness is at stake.  Holly is the one candidate who truly understands health care policy and the perils in government run health care coverage.  Holly is the one candidate who is prepared to win.

But for those of you who worked by my side to build this great Republican Party of Florida and believe that Party matters, you should know that Holly is a lifelong Republican.  She volunteered at Republican National Conventions before she could vote, she was an intern in George H.W. Bush’s White House in college, she has been a tireless volunteer for Republican candidates, and she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Republican campaigns. And she always votes.

Please go to Holly’s Web site: www.hollybenson.com and join her team today.  I hope you will join me in voting for Holly Benson on August 24th.  Thank you for all you continue to do to build our great Party.

Sincerely,

Carole Jean Jordan

Holly Benson for Attorney General: Holly Benson Announces Statewide County Leadership Team

Republican Candidate for Attorney General Receives Strong Statewide Support

Tallahassee, Fla. – Republican Candidate Holly Benson today announced her statewide leadership team in 16 of Florida’s largest counties in her race to become the next Attorney General of the State of Florida.

Benson’s Statewide County Leaders
Margaret Tidmore, Past President Panama City Federated Republican Women, Bay County
Bobby Roberts, former Bay County REC Chairman, Bay County
Michael G. De Gruccio, Secretary of Broward Republican Party, Broward County
Felicia Anderson, Broward County … Continue Reading

Holly Benson Receives A+ Rating from NRA & Unified Sportsmen of Florida

Tallahassee, Fla. – Holly Benson, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General, today announced that the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Unified Sportsmen of Florida have given her an A+ rating in her bid for Florida Attorney General.

“We sincerely appreciate Holly’s support of Second Amendment, self-defense and anti-crime issues,” said Marion Hammer, past president of the NRA and the executive director of the Unified Sportsmen of Florida.  “Her background of legislative services on Second Amendment issues demonstrates her commitment to the cause of freedom and protection of constitutional rights.  We are pleased to give Holly an A+ rating.”

“I thank the NRA and Unified Sportsmen of Florida for their A+ rating of my Second Amendment beliefs,” said Benson.  “I am a strong supporter of protecting the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and I am committed to defending the Constitutional freedoms to carry legal firearms for self defense, protection of property and other lawful purposes, such as hunting and competitive shooting.”

Holly 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 Agency for Health Care Administration (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’s Statement on First Televised Republican Candidate Debate

Tallahassee, Fla. – Holly Benson, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General, today released the following statement regarding the first televised Republican candidate debate.

“I am looking forward to a vigorous discussion on the issues facing our state, and I am glad that we were able to agree upon our first televised debate. This televised debate will be a great opportunity for the voters of Florida to see the differences between the candidates for Florida Attorney General.” … Continue Reading

Holly Benson For Attorney General: Down to the wire

I began this race talking about tort reform and about eliminating unnecessary regulation. Both are still central issues in my campaign for Attorney General. But, five months ago, Pelosi, Reid and others in Congress voted to seize control of one-sixth of the nation’s economy and to undermine the free market principles this country was built upon by authorizing Obama’s Health Care plan.

Never before has the election of Florida’s Attorney General been so pivotal. The next AG will inherit the current lawsuit challenging Obama’s health care plan.  I am the best candidate in this race to carry this fight to the Supreme Court and win.

I need your help. We are in a critical period in our campaign where contributions from concerned Floridians are critical to help spread my message and ensure victory on election day.  Will you please visit my website and contribute $500, $250, $100 today?

I am the one candidate who is prepared to carry this to the Supreme Court and win. During my time fighting for you in the Legislature, I chaired the Health Care policy committee and battled fraud and abuse. I served as the Secretary of the $18 billion agency that oversaw Medicaid in Florida and saw first-hand the huge problems inherent in government-run medicine. (Click here to learn more about my background and what I believe in.)

We are rapidly approaching a tipping point—where more Americans depend on the federal government than on themselves for their livelihoods.  With your help and support, we will be able to spread our message and tell Florida’s voters that I plan to fight Obama-care, enforce immigration regulations and protect the security of our state if elected Attorney General.  I want to get to work on regulatory and litigation reform to create jobs and rebuild our economy for a better future.

Thank you for your continued support and your confidence in me as we move onward to victory!

Holly Benson for Attorney General: A True American Story on the Campaign Trail

Last week I was in Miami where I had the pleasure of meeting Horacio at a gathering of his friends and family. Horacio fled Cuba decades ago with $7 in his pockets along with an abiding belief in the American dream. His friends shared their stories of fleeing an oppressive regime to embrace the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.

But last weekend we all paused to celebrate America’s freedom.

Whether you traveled to visit family or friends or spent the holiday weekend at home, I hope you celebrated the Fourth of July with food, friends and fireworks—and even lots of political candidates vying for your vote. And I hope you reflected on those who sacrificed so much, and those who continue to sacrifice, so that we may be free.

More than a date on a calendar the Fourth of July is Independence Day. Millions of legal immigrants have come to our shores because of the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They have learned our language and assimilated our culture. Through their talent and hard work, they have made our country a little better than they found it.

As the next Attorney General, I will fight to stop the parade of illegal immigrants crossing our borders. And I’ll work every day to restore the Florida dream for men like Horacio, his family and his grandchildren who have worked hard, played by the rules, and prospered in our country.

Through Horacio’s eyes, I again saw America as that shining city on the hill where freedom is more than an idea, a place where many continue to fight and die so that we may hang our bunting, eat our hot dogs, and salute Old Glory. … Continue Reading

Holly Benson for Attorney General: Republican Candidate Holly Benson Qualifies for Florida Attorney General

Tallahassee, Fla. – Republican Candidate Holly Benson today announced she has officially qualified for the 2010 election for Attorney General of the State of Florida. Benson submitted her qualifying paperwork for official ballot placement for the Republican Primary to be held on August 24, 2010.

“With General McCollum’s filing against the Obama Health Care Plan in federal court, the election of Florida’s next Attorney General has never before been so important,” said Benson. “Patients, families, businesses and providers across the state believe that my experience as a health care leader in the Florida House, as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration and as a lawyer makes me the best qualified candidate to continue this fight.” … Continue Reading

Holly Benson for Attorney General: Prominent Statewide Elected Leaders Voice Support for Holly Benson

Tallahassee, Fla. – Republican Candidate Holly Benson today announced that several statewide elected leaders have endorsed her race to become the next Attorney General of the State of Florida. … Continue Reading

RPOF: On the Campaign Trail – Holly Benson – National Debt to Surpass GDP

Dear Friends,

On June 4th The Bloomberg Report posted this dire prediction:
“President Barack Obama is poised to increase the U.S. debt to a level that exceeds the value of the nation’s annual economic output.” … Continue Reading

Holly Benson For Attorney General: Immigration and Laws

America is a nation of immigrants, but it is also a nation of laws.

On Cinco de Mayo I met with Hispanic leaders in Orlando. Immigrants from a variety of Central and South American countries, they included successful lawyers, accountants, law enforcement officers, contractors, and others. … Continue Reading

Watch Part 2 of the Mason-Dixon Line with Ron Sachs Featuring Sally Bradshaw and Screven Watson

Part 2: Going Inside the Sachs/Mason-Dixon Poll Numbers on Florida’s Cabinet Races and Constitutional Amendments

Mason Dixon Line with Ron Sachs from Ron Sachs Communications on Vimeo.
… 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

Holly Benson for Attorney General: Prayers for the Gulf Coast

The oil spill in the Gulf is threatening the beaches of my home town, and businesses across the Panhandle are bracing for a potential disaster. The debate about offshore oil drilling has suddenly become less theory and more reality for the people I have known and served for years.

Because it matters to so many of us, I spent time this morning with leaders from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and BP in the Pensacola DEP office. We walked through the aerial shots and the projection maps. They showed me where BP, DEP, the Navy, the Coast Guard and local governments have already placed booming. They told me about the scientists they have called to the Gulf Coast who are working to stop the leaks and minimize the impact. They outlined measures to ensure that claims from impacted businesses will be addressed promptly. … Continue Reading