Broward Politics: Fmr Rep Jim Waldman “Actively Looking” At County Commission Race
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Former Democratic State House leader Jim Waldman is considering jumping into the northeast Broward County Commission race.
“I’m actively looking at it,” Waldman told Browardbeat.com.
Jim Waldman speaks to supporters during his 2016 Senate campaign
If Waldman runs, the contest for the seat now held by Commissioner Chip LaMarca could become a freewheeling donnybrook.
There are two candidates already running:
- Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher, a Democrat.
- Former Oakland Park Commissioner Shari McCartney, a Republican.
Both campaigns expect to be well funded.
A well-to-do lawyer and real estate investor, Waldman’s entrance would shake up the race. He pledges to kickstart his campaign with $250,000 from his own pocket.
Waldman moved from his longtime home of Coconut Creek to Pompano Beach last year. The former Coconut Creek Commissioner, mayor and state House member now lives in a $850,000 condo on Pompano Beach’s beach.
A House member from 2006 to 2014, Waldman was the Democratic Floor Leader in 2006-2008.
LaMarca’s Commission District 4 overlays the northern part of the district that Waldman lost in an expensive, three-way scorch-and-burn race for state Senate last year.
What’s different for Waldman this time around?
“I was hit with millions in negative advertising last time and it was a three-way race in the primary,” Waldman explained.
He said doesn’t expect those factors to be part of any commission campaign.
That remains to be seen.
Some Broward commission campaigns have been nasty and very costly. A third candidate could easily enter the race before next summer’s formal qualifying period.
The Senate seat which Waldman fought for in 2016 stretches along Broward’s entire beachfront from Deerfield Beach to Hallandale. The Commission district has roughly 60 percent fewer voters from all or parts of Hillsboro Beach, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Sea Ranch Lakes, Oakland Park, but nothing south of Fort Lauderdale.
In the 2016 Democratic primary for Senate:
- State Sen. Gary Farmer spent $831,704. He won.
- Former State Rep. Gwyndolen Clark-Reed spend $28,454. She came in second.
- Waldman spent $652,796, which included $202,500 of his own money. He came in third.
Add to those totals about $1.5 million from political committees supporting the various candidates. Figuring all the candidates and committee money spent, the Senate race cost roughly $100 for each the 29,093 voters.
It is doubtful that a commission race would cost $3 million, but no one can predict the future. Commissioners have a vote on development, the airport, seaport and a budget of $4.7 billion. When you are voting on issues and money like that, deep-pocketed special interests are sure to be interested in who wins.
Waldman will make a decision on whether to run by the end of the year.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:45 am
Wow, what great news! Jim is the only one running with the temperament and experience for this job. If there was ever a situation where the phrase “everything happens for a reason” fit, this was it. Jim Waldman spent months walking door to door, ran tv ads, mail, you name it. He was an effective legislator, a strong candidate and would make a great Commissioner. And it would be nice to finally have a Democrat in that seat!!
October 11th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Fools apparently are born everyday. Waldman came in third. THIRD. What makes him think he could win the primary against Lamar Fisher, who has such support in Pompano Beach that he hardly ever had an opponent?
October 11th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
David Brown, is that you posting above?
October 11th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Buddy,
An $850,000 beachfront condo in Pompano Beach?
FROM BUDDY:
Yup.
He bought a home at the 10-unit Ocean Pearl Townhomes at Briny Avenue and SE Sixth Street. The project is described in an offering document below:
Ocean Pearl Condos are located in Pompano Beach, Florida. A furnished 4-story town home with marble, a spacious floor plan, a private elevator,and stainless steel appliances. The 2-car garage is over sized, and the entire complex is gated. Pets are welcome, and a clubhouse is available. Convenient access to the beach, shopping, fine dining, and restaurants. We are in a prime location. A great place to call your new home.
Below is a copy of the Broward County records.
Book Type:
Book / Page: / Go
Instrument #: Go
Search Results
Record Date: 9/21/2016 3:01:06 PM
Book Type: O – Official Records
Instrument #: 113945352
Number Of Pages: 3
Doc Type: D – Deed Transfers of Real Property
Grantor: NATIONAL RESIDENTIAL NOMINEE SERVICES INC
Grantee: WALDMAN,JAMES
WALDMAN,ANGELA
Consideration: $850,000.00
Case Number:
Mtg Assumption Amt: 0.0000
October 11th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
“I was hit with millions in negative advertising”
Waldman gave the very reason he can’t win . Everybody remembers from those ads that Waldman isn’t a real Democrat. He’s also a carpetbagger while Lamar has been in Pompano Beach his whole life.
October 11th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Lamar and his family have lived in the area for 4-generations. We don’t need a carpetbagger who is just looking for publicity and going from race to race.
Jim … hang it up.
October 11th, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Once again a retread politician hits the road. Don’t buy retread tires and don’t vote for retread politicians.
October 11th, 2017 at 5:59 pm
to Old Timer,
Judy stern, is that you again?
October 11th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Here comes heartburn for Lamar Fisher.Although no offense Jim W. with Big Bernie Free bank rolling Lamar you better gives this ambition to be county comm.with some heavy thought..
October 11th, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Not me. I rarely post and when I do it is always under my own name. Buddy has the ability to confirm that…but thanks for the shout out. 🖖
October 12th, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Lamar Fisher will be the new commissioner. A map of District 4 indicates that Pompano Beach dominates the district.
October 13th, 2017 at 3:43 pm
Jim Waldman is getting unjustified criticism from people who don’t know him. He was a great mayor who could enable commissioners to work together for the benefit of Coconut Creek. No doubt Lamar Fisher is a good mayor. Fisher doesn’t have the Legislative experience. Waldman has both city and Legislative experience. He is the one who should be County Commissioner.
October 14th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Jim Waldman is definitely the best candidate. I hope he runs for Commissioner. He has the character, leadership and experience! Experience matters.
October 16th, 2017 at 5:44 am
Lamar Fisher has a great record. He’ll win in a walk.
November 9th, 2017 at 10:26 am
I’m behind Lamar Fisher onehundred percent. He has the temperament, passion, and know-how. To keep pushing Broward County Florida,forward. I’m going to knock on everydoor, pull everystring, and call in all favors. All opponents buckle up. Game on.