Lobbyist Judy Stern Manipulates Another Campaign
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Lobbyist and political consultant Judy Stern is again at the forefront of manipulating a campaign.
Judy Stern
Stern was involved in closing the primary in state Senate District 34 race.
She notarized write-in candidate Richard Hal Sturm’s financial disclosure statement filed in the closing moments of qualifying for the race.
The write-in theoretically helps the candidate she is supporting, state Sen. Gary Farmer of Fort Lauderdale, by keeping Republicans and independents from voting in the primary.
Sturm jumped in the race at the last minute. That was roughly the same time that word circulated that former state Rep. Jim Waldman was entering the race against Farmer.
Write-in Sturm’s entrance deprives the bulk of the voters in District 34 from helping deciding the next senator. The district is heavily Democratic and the race will be decided in the August primary, unless by some miracle write-in Sturm wins the November election.
The reason behind this manipulation is obvious:
Stern believes Farmer can do better with a field of voters that include only Democrats.
Is all this clever politics? Or is it dirty politics?
You decide.
July 19th, 2018 at 9:23 am
Dave
Is this what you are down too in order to save Waldman? I hear interesting things going on with palm cards, especially out of Wynmore.
FROM BUDDY:
I don’t believe Wynmore condominiums is in Senate District 34.
July 19th, 2018 at 11:50 am
My take.Clever politics.Yeah all is fair game.This write in canidate etc is BS.However, until this clever manipulative practice is abolished- again fair game.Just last month Ms.Stern was cleared by city law dept( ft.lau) that she did not have to resign from the Charter Revision bd.which i believe she is the chair.So she goes nowhere.Some of u ( which i respect and support) got really loud in your ambitions to send her packing.End result she was cleared.End result she goes nowhere.I will say this about this woman – one tough cookie and eat your Wheaties when attempting to do battle with her.I often call her the Iron Lady.Does she play fair- absolutely not but she is within the law etc.This is what she does.In a way i respect her as she is the bread winner in her family.Even if its just her.She has really cemented a standing in the community.Although, not well liked( by some, how about many) she could careless.She took a beating when mayoral canidate Bruce Roberts lost but ad u can see she picked herself up and got right back on that horse etc( BY THE WAY WHICH I STATED TO SOME OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT).One piece of advice get cozy with newly elected ft.lau comm Steve Glassman.Are new magic maker.( take note Mayor Trantalis)…
July 19th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Judy sure is having a hard time recently, just look at Lauderdale disaster for her. Maybe can’t win a fair fight anymore so this is what happens?
The young gun consultants don’t have to play these kind of games to win.
July 19th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
It is a bad law.
July 19th, 2018 at 8:04 pm
The law allows it, and it benefits her client. Judy is just doing what she is supposed to do to help her client with all tools within the law. Don’t like it? Change the law.
July 20th, 2018 at 10:47 pm
When Rod DeSantis is elected governor of Florida on November 13 I will ask he and the legislature make FL an ‘open’ primary state. that will put an end to these underhanded shenanigans.
July 21st, 2018 at 10:08 pm
If the Republicans want to vote in the primary, then they should run a candidte.
FROM BUDDY: What about independents,the fastest growing group of registered voters?
July 22nd, 2018 at 3:24 pm
Lets be honest, this is a terrible law designed for this purpose. Technically she is doing her job.
July 22nd, 2018 at 6:39 pm
I could be mistaken, but I think a law has been broken here.
It is within the law for a candidate to register to close the election. But I think it is against the law for a candidate or his agents from “colluding” to close the election.
Any lawyers here familiar with this statute?
July 22nd, 2018 at 9:17 pm
NPAs (independents) can vote for an NPA or anyone else in the general, but if they want to help select a party candidate in a contested race, they have to register in the party they want to vote in. Not that difficult.
July 25th, 2018 at 8:18 am
@ 9. Sam The Sham:
Not at all illegal to coordinate this. Years back, Lori Parrish walked the papers of her race’s write-in candidate into the Supervisor’s office and openly told reporters she did it because she didn’t believe Republicans should be allowed to vote in Democratic primaries or vice versa. The write-in told reporters he was a Parrish supporter. Perfectly legal to do this in Florida.
Keep in mind that Florida candidates are also allowed by law to coordinate with the independent PACs they set up. Unlike federal candidates. Florida laws make it very easy on candidates to legally coordinate everything. It is how the legislative wanted it to work.