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Villalobos
Win Is A Loss For Bush
MIAMI
-- 578 Votes: That was the margin between State Senator Alex Villalobos
and Frank Bolaņos. Not only will that race go down as one of the closest
state senate races in a long time, it will also be remembered as was one
of the most expensive and nastiest.
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The
fact that Villalobos was able to hold onto his seat is a
stinging defeat for Governor Jeb Bush, who made it his
personal mission to oust Villalobos.
The governor was angry that Villalobos dared to say no to
him when the governor demanded that Villalobos help him
repeal the class size amendment and radically expand a
voucher program that would rob the public school system of
money it desperately needs.
Villalobos
stood up the governor because he knew his constituents
wanted smaller classes for their schools, and they wanted
more money going to teacher salaries. It cost
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Alex
Villalobos (left) beat Frank Bolaņos in Tuesday's primary for the
state senate seat. |
Villalobos
his leadership position in the senate, but that wasn't enough. The
governor, along with a group of special interests including the insurance
industry, wanted Villalobos dead -- politically at least.
They
spent almost $5 million trying to unseat him. But the unrelenting negative
ads backfired and Villalobos prevailed -- even if it was by just 578
votes.
This race was about more than just one person, however. This was a race
for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. Was there room in the
Republican Party for moderate voices, such as Villalobos and fellow
Senator Rudy Garcia and State Representatives Rene Garcia, JC Planas,
Julio Robaina and Rafael Llorente?
The focus now turns to Tallahassee. After seeing many of his North Florida
colleagues, as well as the governor, try to plant his head on a pike,
Villalobos returns to Tallahassee as the most dangerous man in state
government.
He took their best shot and he is still standing. From insurance reform to
education issues, Villalobos owes the Republican leadership nothing. He is
free to build his own coalitions of Democrats and moderate Republicans.
And most important of all, he is now free to say exactly what he thinks.
For groups like the insurance industry, which likes to intimidate
politicians, that can mean big trouble. For the public at large, however,
it will be incredibly refreshing.
And for reporters, it's going to be incredibly fun to watch.
State
Sen. Villalobos barely squeaks by
State
senator counters Jeb's endorsement
Cross the party? Read this, and you might think twice
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Watch VIDEO CBS 4.COM
