A lot of headlines today that could affect big elections in 2014. Let’s get started.
The Orlando Sentinel reported today that Winter Garden Commissioner Bobby Olszewski is exploring a run in Florida State House 44. This could set up a potential match-up between “Bobby O” and another popular Republican in the region, former State Representative Eric Eisnaugle. This showdown is making many within the party nervous. I’ll explain why that tension might be premature.
Seminole County Democrat Mike Clelland serving in a very Republican district 29 for “Yes” on a budget against the wishes of fellow how Democrats. Clelland sided with Republicans mentioning he will not be held hostage by insisting on the medi-caid expansion to accommodate the President’s Healthcare plan on a budget that contains increases on education and many other public services.
We’ve also got a cameo by Congressman Alan Grayson who is, like his In-State Counterpart is going against his party by protesting the Presidents changes to Social Security COLA proposed in his new budget.
All of this in your Daily Wrap Up for Wednesday, April 10th 2013.
Video Transcript:
Florida Politics with Frank Torres. This is your Daily Wrap-up for Wednesday April 10th 2013. The big news coming from the Orlando Sentinel Blog reporting that Eric Eisnaugle might be facing primary opposition in Florida State House 44 to replace termed out Stephen Precourt. Now, he already has one opponent but there was buzz a couple of weeks back about someone else potentially jumping in the race that someone turns out to be Winter Garden Commissioner Bobby Olszewski. This piece was published today, Olszewski says he’s exploring his options but there is a lot of nervousness in that political environment over those two potentially squaring off, a lot of side taking, a lot of opinions being thrown out there. Believe me. This is an elections videocast, an elections blog, no one loves hype more than me and my readership enjoys it but I think in this case it’s a little premature, to automatically assume these two are going after each other. Way too early to predict a showdown between those two to replace Stephen Precourt. Let’s wait to see how things turnout, you look at Olszewski’s sound byte he’s just taking a look at how he can serve his community the best. Both lawmakers have positive reputations, let’s wait to see how things go. Should Olszewski decide to run against Eisnaugle.. well the good people of District 44 will have a lot of talent in their Republican primary. By the way Eisnaugle already has one Republican opponent Ronney Olivera who ran last year and lost.
Moving on, State Representative Mike Clelland serving in the very Republican District 29 out there in Seminole County, rebelling against the Democratic Caucus in Tallahassee he has decided to vote “Yes” on the House Budget supported by many Republican in Tallahassee. Now, the Democrats are balking at this thing because it does not include the medicaid expansion required by the President’s healthcare plan or “Obamacare”. Clelland is voting for it, he says it includes a lot of the other conditions wanted by Democrats and he won’t be held hostage by this one issue. And if you look at the budget, it does. It’s a budget that sends money to educators, and many public services. I’ve got some sound footage from the Democratic leadership in Tally responding to a question about Clelland breaking ranks.
(Roll sound on Dem Leadership)
So there you have it. A tense answer by Democratic leadership in Tally about Clelland rebelling on the budget but, if you’re Clelland you got to look down the road, if he wants to be a State Representative for longer then two years then he must work across the aisle. He is in a very conservative district and has very tough upcoming opposition from former State Representative Scott Plakon so, he’s going to have to make these very tough decisions, in order to keep his constituents happy.
We’ve got another Democrat going against the grain. This one in Washington. I’m talking about Osceola Congressman Alan Grayson who, won his job back last November. Defying President Obama on the conditions of his new budget referring to alterations in the Cost of Living Adjustments in Social Security. The chained CPI is a no for him, and he’s shaking the boat with Democrats up there.
It’s been a very busy day with controversial day with these headlines, in a very busy week. For now I’m Frank Torres and I’ll see you next time!




