By Bill Cotterell, Florida Capital Bureau

JACKSONVILLE — The Florida AFL-CIO Sunday endorsed Rep. Kendrick Meek for the U.S. Senate, along with an all-Democrat slate of state office seekers.

Gov. Charlie Crist had asked for labor’s endorsement Friday in his independent race for the Senate. The largest union in the state federation, the Florida Education Association, gave a joint recommendation to Meek and Crist, but did not try to block the two-thirds vote by the AFL-CIO delegates for the Miami Gardens congressman.

Meek addressed the convention on Saturday, calling Crist an unreliable newcomer to labor issues. Meek said he has posted grades of 95 to 100 percent on union voting tallies in Washington and as a state legislator in Tallahassee.

The AFL-CIO also endorsed Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink for governor, former state Rep. Loranne Ausley of Tallahassee for CFO and ex-Mayor Scott Maddox of Tallahassee for agriculture commissioner.

The union delegates, meeting behind closed doors, could not decide between state Sens. David Aronberg of Greenacres and Dan Gelber of Miami Beach for attorney general. The AFL-CIO therefore endorsed the “winner of the Democratic primary” in that race.

Posted on the St. Petersburg Times Buzz Blog

Pretty creative fundraising pitch by Democratic chief financial officer Loranne Ausley:

You all know about my race for CFO against Jeff Atwater.  It is the race of a lifetime.  But this Saturday I have another race and a different opponent.  I would like to introduce you all to my campaign manager Jonathan Ducote.  Jonathan and I will be competing in the North Florida Olympic Triathlon at Cherry Lake, which consists of a .9 mile swim, a 25 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run.

Loranne

Ausley will invest wisely in Florida’s future

Jacksonville, FL – The Florida Education Association (FEA) – with more than 140,000 members – has endorsed Loranne Ausley in her campaign for CFO. Ausley is the first candidate endorsed by FEA for November’s General Election.

“I am proud to have the backing of the Florida Education Association as our campaign moves forward to November. As a state budget expert, attorney, and Chair of Florida’s Children Health Insurance agency I’ve fought against state government’s pay to play culture, made government work efficiently, and protected our children,” said Loranne Ausley.

Ausley was a vocal opponent of SB 6 which would have penalized teachers unfairly, undermined a teacher’s ability to lead a classroom, and taken away local control of Florida’s schools.

You all know about my race for CFO against Jeff Atwater.  It is the race of a lifetime.  But this Saturday I have another race and a different opponent.  I would like to introduce you all to my campaign manager Jonathan Ducote.  Jonathan and I will be competing in the North Florida Olympic Triathlon at Cherry Lake, which consists of a .9 mile swim, a 25 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run.

What first began as bonding experience for the two of us has now evolved into a full blown rivalry.  Twenty-eight year old Jonathan actually believes he has a chance at beating me.  Youth vs. experience.  We are putting it to the test.  What do you think?

And let’s make this a little more interesting. If you think Jonathan has a chance, please make a $28 contribution to my campaign.  If you think I am going to win, please make a $46 contribution. I don’t know about you, but I think there are going to be a few more $46 contributions.

The first statewide poll reaffirms what you and I have known all along … Jeff Atwater is beatable.

According to the Mason-Dixon poll released today 41% of voters are undecided and Atwater only has 33% of the vote. This poll shows that we are already on Atwater’s heels and more importantly – if we communicate we win.

Can you help us keep communicating?

1) Encourage ten people to sign up on our website

2) Make a contribution