Politics
Is Sen. Thad Altman Now Looking at Major GOP Primary Opposition?
Around the State
Sen. Thad Altman
First elected in 2008, Altman’s district (SD 24) currently includes parts of Brevard, Orange and Seminole counties. The new district, SD 16, passed by the Senate and approved by the Florida Supreme Court on Friday, contains parts of Brevard and Indian River counties.
Two state representatives have garnered some buzz as possible primary opponents, though sources
Ritch Workman
Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, who currently represents parts of Brevard County, has not been coy about wanting to move up to the Senate, and some of his associates have even said he fancies a run for Congress down the road. Behind the scenes, Workman has told local tea party members he is seriously thinking about making a run against Altman. One legislative aide said, “Workman, in the Republican Party, sees himself as a rock star.”
John Tobia
Stephanie Haridopolos
Bolstered by her local medicine practice and the “Your Health With Dr. Stephanie” Web video and various columns on health matters, Haridopolos has strong name recognition in the district. She has also modeled in fashion shows and participated in other events that raised money for local charities. Her profile is also increasing in Tallahassee. Earlier in the month, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Haridopolos to the newly created Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns.
Still, while her profile is rising, local political insiders insist that Haridopolos will not run against Altman this year.
Debbie Mayfield
Altman’s support for certain policies has drawn the opposition of conservative groups, including some elements of the tea party movement, the local Ronald Reagan Club and even members of the local Republican Executive Committee. These conservatives have branded Altman a “moderate Republican” and a “RINO” (“Republican in Name Only”).
Conservatives point to two issues where they think Altman was on the wrong side: high-speed rail and public unions.
Altman was very open and forthright in his support for high-speed rail projects. In March 2011, he joined state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, in a lawsuit, suing Gov. Rick Scott for turning down federal funding for a high-speed rail project in Central Florida.
Altman also opposed Scott’s proposal to make union members contribute to the Florida Retirement System -- a proposal heavily supported by Republicans and conservatives including Workman, who helped lead the charge for the proposal in the House.
Still, if either Tobia or Workman decides to primary Altman, they could face problems and questions about their own records. Despite railing against President Barack Obama’s stimulus package in the Florida House, both Workman and Tobia voted for the 2009 budget -- the one that included money from the federal stimulus. Both representatives at first supported high-speed rail, shifting later on. Both Workman and Tobia supported then-Gov. Charlie Crist’s budget in 2010, angering some conservatives who were against increasing state spending by $4 billion in the middle of an economic recession.
Despite the mounting pressure, Altman cannot be counted out. He is a powerhouse compared to the others when it comes to fundraising. The latest campaign reports show the four-year senator raising more than $150,000 in this election cycle and keeping his powder dry with more than $107,000 in the bank. Workman has proven to be no slouch in fundraising either, bringing in $118,000 but spending almost $58,000 so far. In terms of money-raking, Tobia is simply not in the league of either Altman or even Workman. So far this cycle, Tobia has gleaned almost $32,000, but he's been burning through it, spending almost $23,000 of it.
Altman insists he is a conservative and critics need to look at his record a little bit closer.
On fiscal issues, Altman supported phasing out the state corporate income taxes and has backed repealing the provisions of cap-and-trade regulations on Florida. Altman also opposed the Internet sales tax bill while supporting a host of conservative positions, including tort reform, property tax caps, privatization of toll roads, school choice, prayer in schools and expanding the rights of gun owners in Florida.
On immigration, Altman supported mandatory use of E-Verify, which was opposed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and other Republicans in the state Senate, where the measure failed.
Still, if he faces opposition in the upcoming Republican primaries, Altman will have to prepare for a challenge from the right, leaving the incumbent in a position where he will have to “out-conservative” his rivals.
Altman insisted on Friday that he would be prepared if any Republican stepped up to challenge him in the primary. Pointing to his decades in politics, including serving as a Brevard County commissioner and serving five years in the Florida House of Representatives before heading up to the Senate, Altman said that he had wide support in the community.
"I don't know who may run," Altman said, "but we're ready for them."
Ed Dean, a veteran journalist and media figure who hosts the Ed Dean Radio Show, wrote this story especially for Sunshine State News. Kevin Derby contributed to it.
Comments (9)
I am also related to Thad Altman....we have a huge family though.
Run Workman...Thad is spending too much time trying to push for the Rail Boondoggle and tackling political correctness - because he believes getting the official word "mental retardation" changed to "intellectual disability" is the important matter of the day.
You hear this? RINO Family member of Altman doesnt even support him...its not just the TEA Party aggravated by his actions in the capital.
OMG that is the funniest thing I've read all year.
10. The Senate needs some dirty jokes.
9. He doesn't commit to 4 sides, change his mind 3 times, then flip a coin when he votes.
8. He and Ronda Storms can both wear those beautiful shawls.
7. Fundraisers with he and Latvala mud-wrestling in sumo diapers would raise millions for Charity - or their party.
6. Guy Spearman would have to get Dwight Bullard to carry all his water.
5. High Speed Rail would run through Brevard, then go straight to Dorworth's front door.
4. Altman could maintain his legislative salary as his legislative assistant.
3. Hot women would be crashing all senate parties, wreaking havoc in the Senate, making the Spouses lounge a powderkeg.
2. Alimony repeal would be slipped into a revisers bill on the last week while most of the senate is drunk in the bubble.
1. Workman can toss Jeremy Ring.
I agree with Numchuck. Come on, Workman. Get in the game.
In an interview with SpaceCoast Business this past September, he said, “We have to remember that the discovery of America and landing the first men on the moon were public/private partnerships. The government didn’t invent aviation, but the aviation industry, as we know it today, wouldn’t exist without the role the government played in its development.”
In this same interview, Altman also said, “we need to explore ways to implement the Smart Grid concept, so that the energy produced is used efficiently.” Smart Grid is a concept that uses digital communications that have the ability to control appliances at consumers’ homes to save energy and reduce costs.
Altman also continued to back former Gov. Charlie Crist in the U.S. Senate race instead of Republican Marco Rubio, even after Crist left the GOP and registered as an Independent.
A limited government advocate? You make the call…
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