Rich NugentWith congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite suddenly retiring due to health concerns, Hernando County Sheriff Rich Nugent is the favorite of the Republican establishment over conservative activist Jason Sager. Nugent raised more than $145,000 in his first quarter as a congressional candidate, with more than $86,000 coming from individuals, almost $48,000 from PACs, with the candidate putting $11,000 of his own money into his campaign. Nugent had more than $114,000 on hand at June 30. While Sager has raised more than $33,000, he has less than $4,800 on hand.
The winner of the Republican primary will take on Army veteran and small-business consultant Jim Piccillo, the only Democrat in the race. Piccillo has brought in more than $82,000 and had less than $7,700 on hand on June 30.
While not a lock by any means, Nugent should be able to keep this seat for the Republicans.
Comments (5)
Don't you feel troubled that for a man of 36, articulate and equally as smart, that Sager has never completed a college degree as he has been bouncing around the country before settling into this 5th congressional district only two years ago?
Sager has never held any leadership position in the private sector or in government for that matter. He failed his own company in home theater installations in a growing stay-at-home market. He then used the system to collect unemployment with intention to campaign for much higher paying gig, United States Congress.
To go from unemployed to congressperson suggests that if you support this campaign you must be euphoric in his well rehearsed populist rhetoric while ignoring his gross lack of qualifications and credentials. Sager may also be in a major violation of campaign law in his quest to differentiate himself as a "New Republican Party" member in his political handouts. Of course there is no such party and Sager signed an oath of party allegiance with the Supervisor of Elections when he filed to run as a Republican candidate.
For anyone who has ever observed Sager speaking, many would say he'd make a worthy evangelist while lavishly sprinkling upon speeches a fair share of "amens" and "hallelujahs." Disconcerting to many, but tingly to the Sager believers. This is how Sager is making his way through this political time by taking advantage of the good hearts and for the most part, religious Tea Party devotees. He uses them by striking well-rehearsed emotional chords while preying upon their good faith and checkbooks. He uses all the great founding father's quotations. He says the things they would like to say. Outside of his obvious charisma, does Sager have any experience or education to be congressperson material? Hardly.
Sager's run is political blasphemy and reminiscent of when it became so cold in Minnesota on one November day, hell froze over and the citizens elected a wrestler for governor. Sager is a time bomb and should he win the primary the Dems will come out swinging to claim victory for the 5th district in the general election. Can you imagine the negative campaign the liberals will wage on Sager’s lack of qualifications after the primary? What don't we know about Sager? Can you imagine what the Dems will do with veterans’ benefits and social security should they stay in control of the house in 2010?
JAZ Zydenbos
Political Activist
Weeki Wachee
Sager has also been ridiculed lately in the press for barely possessing a high school diploma and being unemployed as a stereo installer. Sager's defense is his opponents are in bed with the Republican Executive Committee of Citrus County, and Hernando County. Sager professes that this is an integral part of a conspiracy to boost his opponent Richard Nugent's campaign. A right wing conspiracy perhaps?
What Sager and company does not get that it's not which party; it’s what you bring to the party in terms of education and leadership experience not just talking points. Sager’s arrogance, dubious past and a lack of a work ethic is bewildering to reasonable minds that he has made it this far as a candidate.
Late breaking news is that the Sager campaign has called the National Rifle Association a liar. Maureen Arrigale, a Sager supporter and fellow Tea Party Member of the Nature Coast 912, recently published in a tea party wide email: "The NRApvf.org website has endorsed Nugent for District 5 house race. The NRA is lying about Jason Sager not returning his vetting form to the NRA. I have talked with an NRA official who supports Jason but has been overruled by NRA Federal Affairs section. We are encouraged to contact the NRA and let them know that it is NOT Politics as usual and we will NOT stand for the Nugent endorsement. If enough people call, we can get the Nugent endorsement overturned. We will have to act fast - early voting is next week. The NRA grassroots number is 1-800-392-8683. Call and GIVE THEM HELL!!!"
Hernando County Insider has learned that Blaise Ingoglia and his lady friend attended the Sager fundraiser at conservative Republican Tommy Bronson's home last week. Bronson is considered one of the wealthiest and most influential persons in Hernando County. Ingoglia, Republican Executive Committee Chairman of Hernando County was virtually refused entrance by the Sager campaign's chief of staff, Doug Sager. It was witnessed that Ingoglia was man handled by Sager, Sr. Ingoglia was finally allowed to pass in to the event when his lady friend was spat upon by one of Sager's supporters. Ingoglia, an imposing figure physically, used his extreme patience and thought to let the incident go. In my opinion, this assault should have been called into the HCSD. But how would that look for both the beleaguered Sager campaign and for the party chairman?
Late news has surfaced that Sager lied to the press when he reported that REC Chairman Ingoglia was made aware of his involvement with the Protest Warrior over a year ago. If this were true, Ingoglia would have been obligated to pass this information along to the Republican Executive Committee upon learning.
Early voting begins today.
Jaz Zydenbos
Political Activist
Weeki Wachee