Watch Marco Rubio debate Kendrick Meek and Charlie Crist on 10/6 at 7pm

George Stephanopoulus is co-moderating at ABC’s Orlando and Tampa affiliates. The debate will be broadcast on WPBF (ABC) locally.  It can also be streamed live on abcnews.com and facebook.com.

You can also submit questions.

More details can be found here.

For those who want to attend the GOP Debate watching party – there will be one at the GOP Action Center on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. – reservations required. Please RSVP with Genessa Casanova at (305) 479-8719 or by email: genessa@marcorubio.com for more information.

PBC Candidate Forum on October 4th at the Borland Center

The South Florida 912 is collaborating with the South Florida Tea Party on this event.

We need some volunteers! Please contact me ASAP if you can help with this event.

This is a really important event! Please bring friends and people that have never been to a political event out to hear these great candidates.

This event starts with a Meet an Greet followed by a series of candidate panels moderated by Joyce Kaufman, radio commentator and powerful activist. You and your friends will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of several Palm Beach County candidates for key offices. Our slate of participating candidates include: LTC Allen West (CD22-R), Jim Horn (CD16-D), Tom Rooney (CD16-R), Joe Abruzzo (FH85-D), Tami Donnally (FH85-R), Steven Rosenblum (FH89-R), Albert Key (FH84-R), Joe Budd (CD19-R), Pat Rooney (FH83-R), Marc Marciano (FH83-D), Lizbeth Benacquisto (FS27-R), Bill Hager (FH87-R) and Bernard Sansaricq (CD23-R).  Special guest Lou Galterio will sing the National Anthem.

MAJOR EVENT! Palm Beach County Candidate Forum
Date: Monday, October 4, 2010
Time: 6 pm Meet & Greet; 7 – 9 pm Candidate Forum moderated by Joyce Kaufman
Where: The Borland Center in Midtown
Address: 4885 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens 33418
Directions: On the north side of PGA just west of Military Trail

Seating limited to 500 people so please come early and bring your friends!

For candidate registration or for more information, please email pam@southfloridateaparty.org.

Please go here for Event Registration. If you would like to VOLUNTEER please contact Shannon 561-506-5258
or email me at Shannon411@gmail.com

Marco Rubio Visits Victory Center

Marco Rubio, Republican candidate for US Senate (Florida), made an appearance August 12 at the Palm Beach County Republican Victory Center in WPB. He was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd including local candidates who joined him for his Phone Bank Kick Off.

The “rising star” of the Republican Party was introduced by Sid Dinerstein, County GOP chairman. Marco spoke to us among other things about limited government and personal responsibilities. He mentioned his parents, who left Cuba’s communism, and took advantage of the opportunities offered in this land of freedom. They worked hard to assure him an education and a better life. He thanked all of us present at this event.

After his speech, Marco gave us of his time to have photos with him.

Early Voting Sites

View your Primary Ballot online and then vote Early or Absentee

CLICK HERE for early voting locations

The Supervisor of Elections was mailing out individualized-by-precinct ballots last Monday. I know that I haven’t received mine yet. However – you can view your ballot on-line. Go to the SOE precinct finder.  Click on ‘find your districts’. Fill out your address and then when you get to the screen that lists your options, click on ‘view sample ballot’, put in your party affiliation and it will bring up your ballot and polling place.

Remember – even if you aren’t registered in a political party (eg you’re NPA) – you still may have items on the ballot – Judges, School Board, etc. Please take the time to check and make sure. Every vote counts!

Florida Senate 27 Interviews

Florida Senate District 27 stretches across the state and contains portions of Palm Beach, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, and Lee counties. On the west coast, the Naples Daily News recently interviewed each of the candidates in the Republican primary and videotaped the results. Click HERE for the Mike Lameyer video. The Sharon Merchant and Lizbeth Benacquisto videos can also be found as links from that page.

Video from the Senate Debate

Video by Boris Balaban

Intro

Welcome


Shannon Armstrong


Panel


Candidates Intro.


Question 1 Immigration


Question2 State’s Rights


Question 3 Transportation


Question 4 Amendments


Question 5 Education


Question 6 Spending_Taxes part 1 and 2




End Comments

Senate Debate Video – Other Candidates

Joe Budd for Congress, District 19


Sherry A. Lee for the District 2 county commission race


Tami Donnally Florida state House, District 85


Francisco Rodriguez Florida state House, District 83


Pat Rooney Florida state House, District 83


Steven Rosenblum Florida state House, District 89

Senate 25 and 27 Candidate Biographies

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DISTRICT 27 CANDIDATES

Lizbeth Benacquisto has been a Florida resident for over 30 years, living in Wellington
for the past 15. She attended the University of Florida and Penn State University, and
she graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Organizational Management. Lizbeth and her family currently reside in Wellington. She
is a Realtor and mother of two school-age children and a college-age step-son.
Lizbeth was first elected Wellington Councilwoman in 2002 to represent the Village of
Wellington, and was re-elected through the conclusion of her term in 2010. She served
as vice-mayor for two years. Ms. Benaquisto has served the community as a member of
the American Council of Young Political leaders and was chosen and served as a
delegate to South Africa in 2004. She has served as member of Early Learning Coalition
of Palm Beach County, the Florida League of Cities municipal loan council, and as a
member of the Western Communities Council of Palm Beach County. She is currently a
member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the National League of Cities
Council on Youth Education and Families.

Mike Lameyer served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years, saw difficult
combat in Vietnam, and received an honorable discharge as Sergeant E5. He earned a
bachelors degree, as well as his Commercial Pilot License along with a Flight Instructor
Certification. Mike was employed as a Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor. After a
downturn in the airline industry, Mike became the Director of Corporate Development for
International Science and Technology, which specialized in the development of hard
goods technology products. He also received several world-wide and US patents.
Mike married Karen a Palm Beach County School teacher. They have been married for
twenty-nine years and have four children. Mike, as a certified bowling coach, has
coached adults, children and Special Olympics. He is also a certified firearms instructor,
a published author and on the James Madison Institute’s Palm Beach Board of Advisors.
The Institute is a Florida-based research and educational organization rooted in a belief
in the U.S. Constitution. Mike states that he has the experience “necessary to insure Job
growth in Florida along with protecting our rights from an ever-intrusive Federal
Government”.

Sharon J. Merchant is a fifth-generation Floridian. Born in West Palm Beach, she
received a B.S. in International Affairs from Florida State University. While attending
FSU she served as legislative assistant to Rep. Marian Lewis from 1987 until 1992,
when she was elected to succeed Marian. Merchant served four consecutive terms as
District 83 Representative. When House Republicans earned a majority in 1996,
Representative Merchant became part of the legislative leadership. She was the Chair of
the Appropriations Committee on Transportation and Economic Development, and later
chaired the Juvenile Justice Committee. Other committees on which she served included
Utility and Telecommunications, Community College and Career Prep, Regulated
Services, and Water & Resource Management.
Domestic Violence continues to be a priority for Merchant. Sharon hosted an annual
conference/seminar for several years, with all proceeds going to domestic violence
shelters. Merchant has homes in both Palm Beach and Lee Counties. She is married to
Dan Turner. They have one son, Max Turner. Sharon is Vice President of Equipment
Rental Service, Inc., a family-owned business.

DISTRICT 25 CANDIDATES

Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff a native Floridian, graduated from the University of Florida with
a degree in Insurance and Risk Management in 1980. She began her career as a
shareholder in Setnor Byer Bogdanoff, Inc., an independent insurance agency, and also
wrote as a columnist for a national insurance industry magazine. She established EBS
Consulting in 1997, a government and corporate consulting firm. Ellyn received her law
degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2003, graduating magna cum laude. She
is a practicing attorney, certified mediator and arbitrator in Fort Lauderdale
Ellyn was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in a Special Election in 2004.
She was the Majority Whip for the 2006-2008 term and is chair of the House Finance
and Tax Council. Ms. Bogdanoff has received several honors and awards for her
legislative advocacy and her commitment to education and children’s issues including
the “Rising Star” award from the Probate and Real Property Section of the Florida Bar,
legislator of the year by the Florida Association of Realtors in 2006 and the Florida
Dental Association in 2008. She was recognized by the Broward Partnership for the
Homeless and was also honored by Florida’s Children First, Covenant House Florida,
and the Florida Association of School Administrators. She was a foster parent and is
currently serving as a Guardian ad litem. She and her husband, Steven, have their three
children. Ellyn is also competitive tennis player when she finds spare time.

Carl Domino has lived in FL since 1958. He has a BS in Accounting from Florida State
University and a Harvard MBA. He served in the US Navy, in Vietnam and retired as a
Commander in the U.S.Naval Reserve in1989. Carl worked for Delaware Investment
Advisors as a chartered Financial Analyst and Senior Portfolio Manager. In 1987 he
founded Carl Domino Associates, now known as Northern Trust Value Investors and
Carl became the President and Chief Investment Officer. He is President of Carl
Domino, Inc., a wealth management and investment advisory firm, since 1987. He is a
member of several local and national business groups and is a regular commentator for
media outlets on financial markets.
In 2002 Carl was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, and he is currently
serving his fourth term. He was Majority Whip from 2004-2006 and Chair of the Palm
Beach County Delegation from 2005-2006. He serves on the Joint Legislative Auditing
Committee as Alternating Chair, the Committee on Audit & Performance as Vice Chair,
and the Committee on Insurance and the Government Efficiency & Accountability
Council. Mr. Domino is also very active in the community through the American Cancer
Society board of directors, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Easter Seals
Golf Tournament, the Palm Beach Economic Council, Florida State University Boosters,
Florida State University Foundation, the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club and the Knights
of Columbus. Carl, his wife, Sharon, and their two children live in Jupiter.

Photos from Senate 25/27 Debate

Photos taken by Boris Balaban and Iris Scheibl.

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