Editorials

Brown-Waite's selfish exit

Hernando Today
Published: May 5, 2010

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite tarnished her legacy and cheated her constituents and political party last week with an underhanded move that deprives Republican voters of the right to choose her successor from a strong field of candidates.

The Brooksville-area Republican, who was elected to Congress in 2002, announced her retirement, citing health reasons, Friday, but only after she had secured the candidacy of her handpicked choice and he had qualified for the August primary.

It was a much-guarded secret that slammed the door in the face of other prominent Republicans, including state Sen. Mike Fasano and state Public Service Commission Chairwoman Nancy Argenziano, who, like many others, didn't know Brown-Waite was stepping down.

Such stealth maneuvering is one reason why so many people no longer trust politicians. This one is all the more insulting because it robbed voters in a district that covers all or part of eight counties, including Pasco and Hernando, of having much role in the GOP primary.

The 5th District representative will be the voice of hundreds of thousands of retirees and military veterans, among many others.

The seat was held for years by current Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman before the boundaries were redrawn and Brown-Waite defeated her nearly eight years ago.

But Brown-Waite, who served in the Florida Senate for 10 years before going to Washington, acted as if the seat were hers and that she has the right to decide who will fill it. That's not the way democracy is supposed to work.

Elected officials who are stepping down have every right to endorse a candidate.

But instead of simply endorsing Hernando Sheriff Richard Nugent, she secretly urged him to run.

Then once he had qualified just before the deadline, she announced she wasn't seeking re-election, when there was no time for others to join the campaign.

It was an offensive end-run around the democratic process.

Nugent, who seems a fine man and a promising candidate, is to meet Republican Jason Sager of Brooksville in the primary. But a number of other credible candidates might have joined the race if Brown-Waite had given them a chance.

Thanks to Brown-Waite's machinations, Nugent's quest to become a congressman begins under a cloud.

Brown-Waite has worked hard for seniors and has been a strong advocate for military veterans. We wish her well.

But it is distressing that she leaves office with a stunning demonstration of political arrogance that will shortchange Republican voters in Central Florida.

- Tampa Tribune

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite tarnished her legacy and cheated her constituents and political party last week with an underhanded move that deprives Republican voters of the right to choose her successor from a strong field of candidates.

The Brooksville-area Republican, who was elected to Congress in 2002, announced her retirement, citing health reasons, Friday, but only after she had secured the candidacy of her handpicked choice and he had qualified for the August primary.

It was a much-guarded secret that slammed the door in the face of other prominent Republicans, including state Sen. Mike Fasano and state Public Service Commission Chairwoman Nancy Argenziano, who, like many others, didn't know Brown-Waite was stepping down.

Such stealth maneuvering is one reason why so many people no longer trust politicians. This one is all the more insulting because it robbed voters in a district that covers all or part of eight counties, including Pasco and Hernando, of having much role in the GOP primary.

The 5th District representative will be the voice of hundreds of thousands of retirees and military veterans, among many others.

The seat was held for years by current Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman before the boundaries were redrawn and Brown-Waite defeated her nearly eight years ago.

But Brown-Waite, who served in the Florida Senate for 10 years before going to Washington, acted as if the seat were hers and that she has the right to decide who will fill it. That's not the way democracy is supposed to work.

Elected officials who are stepping down have every right to endorse a candidate.

But instead of simply endorsing Hernando Sheriff Richard Nugent, she secretly urged him to run.

Then once he had qualified just before the deadline, she announced she wasn't seeking re-election, when there was no time for others to join the campaign.

It was an offensive end-run around the democratic process.

Nugent, who seems a fine man and a promising candidate, is to meet Republican Jason Sager of Brooksville in the primary. But a number of other credible candidates might have joined the race if Brown-Waite had given them a chance.

Thanks to Brown-Waite's machinations, Nugent's quest to become a congressman begins under a cloud.

Brown-Waite has worked hard for seniors and has been a strong advocate for military veterans. We wish her well.

But it is distressing that she leaves office with a stunning demonstration of political arrogance that will shortchange Republican voters in Central Florida.