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It would be a great honor to serve the citizens of Senate District 24, just as I have in the House for five years.

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Florida Today: Our view: We recommend Thad Altman

Friday, October 17, 2008

Rep. Thad Altman has earned a chance to serve Brevard in State Senate

Voters often say they wind up choosing between the lesser of two evils on Election Day, but that’s not a complaint they can raise this year in the Florida Senate District 24 race.

That’s because two excellent candidates are on the ballot—GOP Rep. Thad Altman from Viera and Democrat Kendall Moore, a Rockledge attorney. Both have strong records of public service and a command of the difficult issues facing our state.

That’s made it hard for us to make a recommendation for this Central Florida district that includes large parts of Brevard, Orange and Seminole counties.

But after long consideration, we give the nod to Altman, who has displayed knowledge, leadership and dedication during his years as a Brevard County commissioner and member of the Florida House of Representatives.

Those qualities will be of particular importance the next two years because a turnover in Brevard’s legislative delegation will bring three and possibly four newcomers into the House on Nov. 4—newcomers who won’t have much influence on getting things done.

In the Florida Senate, Altman would join State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, who may become Senate president in 2010, as part of a leadership team that would look out for Brevard’s interests in a bleak budget climate.

Altman displayed that acumen this year when his efforts gained $15 million to build a commercial launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to help create needed post-shuttle jobs—a noteworthy accomplishment when money was scarce and programs slashed.

Altman also serves on the board of Space Florida—the state’s space recruiting arm—giving him a role in helping set Florida’s space strategy.

In other areas, Altman has a solid record going back to his county commission days in the 1980s pressing for growth management, good roads and infrastructure and environmental protection, including support for Indian River Lagoon preservation and the Environmentally Endangered Lands program.

He backed passage this year of Florida’s landmark energy bill that calls for a major push into solar, wind, biofuel and nuclear power. He also sponsored legislation to cut the red tape for the children of military families transferring to new schools.

There is, however, one part of Altman’s record that concerns us:

His support for tax-swap schemes such as Amendment 1, which voters passed, and Amendment 5, which the Florida Supreme Court pulled from the ballot because it was misleading and unconstitutional.

In doing so, Altman, with a background in real estate, is putting the interests of the development lobby ahead of public services and schools, a position he must change.

In Moore, voters have an intelligent and highly capable candidate whose resume includes service on the Rockledge City Council, Civilian-Military Council and Board of Governors of the Brevard Community College Foundation.

Moore earned our endorsement two years ago in an unsuccessful bid for the Brevard County Commission, displaying sound understanding of local issues. We remain impressed with him, especially his advocacy for education.

In truth, we wish Altman and Moore both could serve in the Senate. But, like voters, we have to make a choice, and careful study of both candidates gives Altman a narrow edge.


Contact Thad

Campaign Office
6767 North Wickham Road,
Suite 400
Melbourne, FL 32940

Phone: (321)421-6988

Orange and Seminole County Campaign Office
12301 Lake Underhill Road
Suite 231
Orlando, Florida 32828

Email Thad

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