State of play: A GOP ‘Contender,’ Fitzenhagen’s finances, a Banyai announcement

State Rep. Dane Eagle interviewed by WGCU. (Photo: Victoria Alvarez/WGCU-FM)

Feb. 21, 2020 by David Silverberg

In what is a virtual Party endorsement, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Wednesday, Feb. 19, named State Rep. Dane Eagle (R-77-Cape Coral) one of its national “Contenders.”

The Contenders are Republican congressional candidates singled out for special notice and support. Coming in the heat of sometimes contentious primary races, the program effectively amounts to a way for the national Republican Party to endorse a candidate without overtly intervening in an internal party contest.

Of the eight Republicans running for the seat in Southwest Florida’s 19th Congressional District, only Eagle was named a Contender. He was one of three Florida Republicans named to the program.

The Contender list is part of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” program, which develops candidates and requires them to work toward specific goals and meet election benchmarks. “Contender candidates have completed stringent program metrics and are on the path to developing a mature and competitive campaign operation,” according to the program’s website.

Thirty-five congressional candidates around the country were named Contenders, which is the second tier of the program. The first tier is called “On the radar,” which means that the candidates have come to the attention of the national party and have the potential to succeed in their races. Party donors can direct contributions to the candidates through the program.

“These hardworking candidates have proven their ability to run strong, competitive campaign operations,” stated Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-23-Calif.), the House minority leader. “We’re going to ensure these contenders are victorious in November by forcing their Democratic opponents to own their party’s radical socialist agenda.”

“I am incredibly thankful to Leader McCarthy for his hard work to make Congress red again and am honored to be on his list of Contenders,” Eagle stated on his website.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) does not have a similar program, although its Frontline program supports Democrats who won seats in 2018. However, No Democrat Left Behind, a coalition of groups supporting Democratic candidates running in heavily Republican districts, endorsed Democratic congressional Cindy Banyai in November.

Fitzenhagen’s finances and what they mean

Heather Fitzenhagen

State Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-78-Fort Myers) raised $31,550 in the last quarter of 2019, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Fitzenhagen was a latecomer to the contest, only filing her candidacy on Dec. 19, 2019.

All the money was raised in 24 donations and there were no loans. All but two of the donors were from Florida. The exceptions came from Texas and Colorado.

Fitzenhagen spent $1,158.75 during the period, all of it with Anedot, Baton Rouge, La., the fundraising consultant also being used by candidates William Figlethaler and Dane Eagle.

This completes The Paradise Progressive’s 4th quarter financial survey of the candidate FEC filings in the 19th Congressional District. Republican candidates Darren Aquino and State Rep. Byron Donalds (R-80-Immokalee) and Independent Antonio Dumornay did not file any donations or expenditures. Democratic filings were covered in the article: Updated: O’Connell, Holden lead in 4th quarter fundraising in 19th Congressional District).

Banyai announces divorce

On Friday, Feb. 14, in a press release and announcement, Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Banyai announced that she and her husband were separating prior to their divorce.

“Like all families, we’ve had our fair share of struggles,” she announced. “Unfortunately, my husband and I are separating as we prepare for our divorce.”

Banyai will still be running: “I fully plan to continue this campaign because the stakes are simply too high to pack it in now,” she stated. “I am sure that my ability to be a mother and be a candidate will be questioned, but that is just the unfortunate reality of being a woman in American politics.”

Banyai is the mother of three children, aged 10, 6 and 2. Her husband, Andrew, is executive director of the Lee County Legal Aid Society, a private, non-profit organization that provides free legal aid to low-income residents.

“I have had a lot of jobs throughout my life. I am a mother, a small business owner, and a candidate for Congress. Like millions of other women in America, I have to manage a delicate balance between my family, my business, as well as my campaign,” she stated. “This will no doubt be a difficult time for myself, my children, and our entire family. While I understand I am a public figure, due to my run for Congress, I hope that my opponents and the media will respect the privacy of myself and my family during this difficult time.”

Liberty lives in light

State of Play: Byron Donalds enters contest for Rooney’s seat; Holden, Fitzenhagen launch campaigns

Byron Donalds embraces President Donald Trump at a 2019 awards ceremony in South Carolina. (Byron Donalds campaign video)

Jan. 6, 2020 by David Silverberg

The 19th Congressional District has an eleventh declared candidate today as State Rep. Byron Donalds (R-80-Immokalee) announced in a campaign video that he will be running for the seat currently held by Rep. Francis Rooney.

This makes eight Republicans vying for the seat.

Donalds, long a self-described conservative, is running on a pro-Trump platform.

“I am everything the fake news media tells you doesn’t exist: a strong, Trump-supporting, gun-owning, liberty-loving, pro-life, politically incorrect black man,” he says in the video.

Donalds, 41, born in Brooklyn, NY and now a resident of Naples, has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2016. He describes himself as a businessman.

He attended Florida A&M University and graduated Florida State University with a bachelor of science degree. He’s married to Erika Donalds, a vocal public education critic, and has three children. The rural 80th District covers parts of eastern Collier and Hendry counties.

Donalds first ran for Congress in the 19th District in 2012 when he was defeated in a five-way Republican primary by Trey Radel. In 2016 he defeated Joe Davidow in the 80th District Republican primary, which he won with 64.3 percent of the vote, putting him in the seat he holds now. In 2018, he defeated Democrat Jennifer Boddicker and Independent Dustin Lapolla in the general election, with 62.1 percent of 61,019 votes cast.

In his video, Donalds starts with a past drug bust that he says prompted him to turn his life around. “As a young man I was arrested for drug possession and theft. I knew I had to get my life together—and through the grace of God, I did,” he says of the undated event.

In a slap at gun control measures passed by the Florida legislature in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, Donalds states in his video: “When my own party caved to the liberals on your Second Amendment rights, I fought them—and will again.”

He also states that “I believe in the Constitution, the wall and that Socialism is another name for disaster” and he says, “Make no mistake, I will stand with the president against these impeachment radicals who trample our Constitution and paralyze our country with their dangerous lies.”

As of noon today, Donalds’ candidacy was not yet registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Campaign launches

This week two congressional candidates will officially launch their campaigns.

On Friday, Jan. 10, Democrat David Holden will hold his official campaign launch with a rally at Fleischman Park in Naples, from 4 to 7 pm, followed the next day by a second event in Fort Myers at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater from 10 am to 12:30 pm.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Republican Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-78-Fort Myers) will hold her campaign kickoff event at the Society restaurant in the Bell Tower mall in Fort Myers from 5 to 7 pm.

Liberty lives in light

For the record: SWFL responses to Soleimani killing

Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Quds Force, killed in a US drone strike in Iraq this morning.

Tracking official statements and positions by candidates and sitting officials is important for an informed electorate, so this year The Paradise Progressive will attempt to report official statements by Southwest Florida candidates and incumbents when major events break, in addition to its usual coverage.

Jan. 3, 2019 by David Silverberg

These are the official statements in reaction to the US killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, as of noon today, expressed through Twitter or Facebook.

Of three SWFL incumbents, two made statements.
Of two Democratic candidates, one made a statement.
Of seven Republican candidates, three made statements.

Incumbents:

Rep. Greg Steube (R-17-Fla.):

“Qassem Soleimani was an integral part of Iran’s terrorist regime and I applaud President Trump’s decisive action to bring him to justice. When I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, many of my brothers and sisters in arms were killed by Iranian explosives at the direction of Seleimani. America, and the world, are safer now that his reign of terror has ended.”

https://twitter.com/RepGregSteube/status/1213111244007321601

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-25-Fla.):

“Soleimani plotted international acts of terrorism & has the blood of Americans & our allies on his hands. As the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds force, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, who operated within Iran. Soleimani was responsible for numerous terrorist acts, instability in the region, & violence. I commend the Trump Admin for ridding the world of this evil man, and for taking the steps necessary to protect Americans and our allies from the terrorist threat posed by Iran.”

https://twitter.com/MarioDB/status/1213107019609231360

Democratic congressional candidate

Cindy Banyai:

This is a troubling escalation. Do we want to go to war with Iran? This does not seem to be sound #foreignpolicy.

https://twitter.com/SWFLMom2020/status/1212920758504185856

Republican congressional candidates (in alphabetical order)

Dane Eagle

“This decisive military action deals a blow to our chief adversary in the Middle East and will certainly save American lives. Very proud of our President, and once again disappointed in the Fake News for trying to portray this as anything other than an extraordinary victory.”

Facebook

Ford O’Connell

“Thank you President Trump for not letting attacks against Americans go unanswered. Thank you for keeping America safe.”

Facebook

Dan Severson

“The United States has an incredible intelligence apparatus that works hand in hand with the greatest military on earth. We are so fortunate to have a Commander in Chief like Donald J. Trump who acts swiftly and proportionally. Soleimani killed over 600 Americans and was the leader of terrorism sponsored by Iran. This was a good day for the United States of America.”

Facebook

Liberty lives in light

For the record: SWFL politicos react to Trump impeachment

The impeachment vote of President Donald Trump.

Dec. 19, 2019 by David Silverberg

Southwest Florida politicians and activists reacted strongly to yesterday’s impeachment of President Donald Trump by the US House of Representatives. Below, a sampling as of noon today:

Democrats:

Cindy Banyai, congressional candidate, 19th Congressional District: “While I am proud of our American governance processes in action, I am saddened that it was necessary. I expect more from our leaders than petty manipulations for personal gain and constant deception. I expect transparency, honesty, and truth from our leadership. This is something that every American should expect and demand.” (Banyai’s full statement follows this article.)

Annisa Karim, chair of the Collier County Democratic Party: “Congress, co-equal to the President, did its job in protecting our country and fulfilling their oath of office to, ‘support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.’

“Deflection and distraction do not change facts.

“Fact: the President sought help from a foreign government against an American citizen who might challenge him for his office. That is an impeachable offense and Congress had a duty to act.”

Republicans:

12-19-19 Mario Diaz-Balart

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, 25th Congressional District: “There should not be any doubt about the ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ that form the basis of an impeachment. As the facts demonstrate in this case, there were no violations of law, and therefore, this impeachment has no merit.”

12-13-19-steube-votes-on-impeachment-e1576256691288.jpg

Rep. Greg Steube, 17th Congressional District: “Tonight, I voted no on the Articles of Impeachment for President Donald J. Trump. This impeachment charade was riddled with procedural failures, denials of due process, and partisan games. The facts are clear, the president has not committed an impeachable offense, and certainly not a high crime or misdemeanor as the Democrats allege. I urge the Senate to quickly evaluate the lack of evidence and acquit the president, so we can all focus on improving the lives of Americans instead of further dividing our nation.”

(As of this writing, Rep. Francis Rooney, 19th Congressional District, had not released a post-vote statement.)

11-30-19 Dane_Eagle 2019

State Rep. Dane Eagle, 77th Florida District, congressional candidate: “Our President has been impeached as part of a political stunt. A sad day for our country. We can’t afford to go down this path any longer – we need leaders in Congress who will stand up for the President and the prosperity of our nation!”

Dan Severson, congressional candidate, tweet: “Pray for our @POTUS. He is an innocent man. Today the @TheDemocrats have attacked all Americans who voted for him, who are now employed, whose economic outlook has improved, whose 401Ks have grown. An attack on @realDonaldTrump is an attack on all of us.”

William Figlesthaler, congressional candidate statement: “Tonight’s vote highlights the sickness of liberals in Congress and the need for conservative Republicans to take back control of the House.”

Other congressional candidates had not issued statements as of this writing.

Cindy Banyai, full statement:

The House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment on December 18, 2019. There is much to be proud of as Americans – the courageous testimony of government officials in reporting malfeasance, representatives pushing forward in the face of criticism and political attack to preserve our institutions and the balance of power that makes us strong. There is also much to lament – the mere fact that the egregious corruption that prompted the articles even occurred, the flip response of the president on impeachment, including the statement “I’m having a good time” made during his Battle Creek rally that evening.

Impeachment is not something to be celebrated, but a necessary check on unbridled power like that which we have witnessed from President Trump. While I am proud of our American governance processes in action, I am saddened that it was necessary. I expect more from our leaders than petty manipulations for personal gain and constant deception. I expect transparency, honesty, and truth from our leadership This is something that every American should expect and demand.

The United States as a nation is a model to the world in terms of our Constitution, government structure, and adherence to the rights of people against the powerful. We need processes like impeachment to remain a model for democracy and we need to continue to restore faith in our institutions. Our adversaries want to see the failure of our model and democracy moreover. We need to keep fighting to retain integrity in our government because the whole world and all of humanity is counting on us standing up for democracy.

Liberty lives in light

State of Play Impeachment Edition: Rooney undecided, Southwest Floridians take to the streets

Pro-impeachment demonstrators in Naples yesterday. (Photo: author)

Dec. 18, 2019 by David Silverberg

Today is Impeachment Day, and the US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump.

The guys with the votes

As of this writing Rep. Francis Rooney (R-19-Fla.) remains officially undecided on his vote, perhaps the only such Republican. Yesterday, Dec. 17, he told NBC2’s Peter Busch that he was leaning toward a “no” vote. According to Busch’s twitter feed, Rooney wanted Democrats to wait for the courts to compel Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and others to testify about their direct communication with President Trump.

According to Busch, Rooney believes what President Trump did with Ukraine was wrong but is not sure if it rises to impeachment. He told Busch that he would spend the day researching and talking to experts but more than anything he wanted Democrats to slow the process.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-17-Fla.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee was an outspoken Trump defender during that committee’s hearings and can be expected to vote against impeachment. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-25-Fla.) has been silent on impeachment but can be expected to vote the party line against it.

Impeachment demonstrations

Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Banyai calls for impeachment before a crowd outside Rep. Francis Rooney’s office in Cape Coral. (Photo: Jacob Ogles)

While Diaz-Balart may be silent and Rooney undecided, Southwest Floridians took to the streets to make their preferences known.

In Cape Coral, a crowd estimated at over 300 appeared outside Rooney’s office in Cape Coral.

Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Banyai addressed the crowd, saying some Congress members need an ethics lesson, according to Jacob Ogles, who covered the event for Florida Politics. Banyai called for impeachment and removal.

Ogles estimated that there were also 50 pro-Trump demonstrators present, including Republican congressional candidates Dan Severson and William Figlesthaler.

Based on reporting by Dave Elias for NBC2, the pro and anti-impeachment demonstrators mixed together in Cape Coral, leading to considerable friction and jostling.

NBC-2’s Dave Elias reports amidst a raucous crowd in Cape Coral.

Further south, in Naples, perhaps 300 protesters appeared for a demonstration at the corner of Rt. 41 and Airport Pulling Rd., outside the Collier County government complex, to demonstrate for impeachment. The peaceful demonstration began at 5:30 pm and elicited considerable support from passing drivers. It was organized by Collier Freedom organization, spearheaded by activist Cindy Nayer.

12-17-19 Trumper demo in Naples — The small number of pro-Trump demonstrators in Naples.

Only three Trumpers appeared in the crowd and the interaction was peaceful, friendly and good-natured. Eventually, they left. About a half hour after the main demonstration began, a handful of pro-Trump demonstrators appeared on the other side of Airport Pulling Rd.

Police presence was heavy. The event was covered by NBC2 and WINK-TV. There is no mention of it in the Naples Daily News.

Another candidate in the 19th?

Yet another candidate may jump into the Republican primary for Rooney’s seat. He’s
Trae Zipperer, a real estate broker who says on his Twitter feed: “I’m leading the charge to clean every veteran headstone in America by Memorial Day 2020. Every veteran headstone should look like it belongs in Arlington.”

Although reportedly considering a run, Zipperer has not yet filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.

Liberty lives in light

State of Play: The ‘epic dog fight’ starts; Dumornay goes indie; and Rommel and Simmons stay out of the game

Congressional candidate Ford O’Connell talks to NBC2’s Dave Elias.

Dec. 13, 2019 by David Silverberg

This was a busy week in the race for Florida’s 19th Congressional District seat.

The ‘epic dog fight’ on the right begins

Rhetoric on the right began heating up as Republican candidates started vying to out-Trump each other in the race for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Francis Rooney (R-19-Fla.).

Ford O’Connell, a Fox News analyst and commentator, filed his candidacy on Dec. 6 and immediately began blasting Rooney and loudly announcing his allegiance to Trump.

“When Francis Rooney didn’t talk in lockstep with Donald Trump, he not only let down the president, he let down the district,” O’Connell told NBC2’s Dave Elias in a Dec. 11 interview.

As for Rooney’s stated openness to hearing the evidence and making an independent decision, O’Connell said: “That’s a disgrace frankly! When he does that, he’s playing the Democrats and the media game.”

O’Connell continued: “It’s not just your allegiance to the president. You have to understand, I have spent the last three-plus years fighting for Donald Trump in the national media.”

And, in true, personalized Trump style, O’Connell took a shot at State Rep. Dane Eagle (R-77-Cape Coral): “I have a feeling that some people might actually want to go back to Tallahassee rather than stay in this, what is going to be an epic dog fight.”

Eagle countered with a barrage of photos showing him with Trump and a tweet yesterday, Dec. 12, stating: “We need representatives in Congress that will work with @realDonaldTrump, not obstruct him.

12-12-19 Eagle and Trump — An undated campaign photo from State Rep. Dane Eagle showing him with President Donald Trump. The other person on the left is unidentified.

“For two years, the Democrat controlled House has done nothing but obstruct (now trying to impeach) him. I’ll be one of the strongest fighters for the President when I get to Washington!”

Commentary: It’s hard to avoid noting that only dogs engage in dog fights.

Dumornay goes indie

Antonio Dumornay never appeared to fit into the Republican primary race for Rooney’s seat. On Nov. 30, he switched his party affiliation from Republican to independent.

“The Republican Party was key to bringing slavery to an end, and also with Civil Rights Movement, a lot for Republicans were key factors in legislation being passed, because they were facing Jim Crow laws in the South put in place by the Democratic Party,” Dumornay told Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics in an article appearing on Dec. 10. “Those are the values of the Republican Party that many in the public don’t know about.”

Dumornay called for a “Grand New Party” on his campaign website. But he felt he couldn’t run in what is rapidly turning into a high-priced race. He told Ogles that he believes he’s the only candidate running who makes less than $30,000 per year.

“I saw a lack of focus on people in this community who make less than $60,000 a year and those are the ones most affected in their living situation by cost of living increases, the trade war and everything becoming more expensive,” he told Ogles. “I’m simply a 9-to-5 working man looking to make a difference for the average American.”

If he meets all the requirements, he will appear on the general election ballot next November.

Standing pat

In what is already a crowded field, those who decide to stand pat have as much impact as those who jump in.

This week State Rep. Bob Rommel (R-106-Naples) announced that he would not run for this office. That leaves him facing Democratic activist Sara McFadden in the race for the 106th District seat.

Also declining to get in the game is Peter Simmons, Republican mayor of Bonita Springs. Simmons told Florida Daily that while he’d received an enormous number of messages and e-mails and appeals to get in the race, he wasn’t going to do so.

“I am flattered beyond words to be held in such high regard by so many friends, activists, business men and women, donors, and political organizations, however, for something that was not on my radar screen a few months ago – after consideration I am announcing that I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for United States Congress,” he stated.

Liberty lives in light

As impeachment looms, SWFL congressmen speak out, face scrutiny: Rooney’s reasoning, Steube’s slur, Mario’s silence

01-13-19 us capitol cropped

Dec. 11, 2019 by David Silverberg

Updated at 10:00 pm with clarification of quote.

With an impeachment vote looming, the members of Southwest Florida’s congressional delegation are preparing for a day of reckoning when they must vote whether or not to impeach the president. The magnitude of the issue has made for increased scrutiny of their statements and criticism of their reactions.

Rep. Rooney’s reasoning

11-16-19 Francis_Rooney_official_congressional_photo cropped — Rep. Francis Rooney

Rep. Francis Rooney (R-19-Fla.) has not retreated from his earlier statements that he is open to considering the evidence but that a strong case needs to be made if impeachment is to occur.

“Surprisingly, I have been criticized by many ardent supporters of the President for saying that I can’t say whether I am for or against his impeachment until I see all the facts and evidence,” he stated in a Dec. 9 statement. “I still feel strongly that we need to develop all possible evidence that could bear on such an important decision. How can such an important decision be made otherwise?”

Nonetheless, he stated that “I do not believe that the President’s behavior related to Ukraine was proper” and the work of US diplomats should not be undermined.

He also complained that top officials and individuals like Rudy Giuliani, John Bolton, former national security adviser, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had not testified. “How can we move forward on such an impactful process as impeachment without them…?” he asked.

He argued that the impeachment process should not proceed until “no stone is left unturned.” However, the statement did not rule out his voting for impeachment should it come up for a vote in the House.

(Rep. Rooney’s full statement follows at the conclusion of this article.)

Steube’s statement

Rep. Greg Steube and Barry Berke.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-17-Fla.), whose district includes Port Charlotte and Venice, has been vocal in criticizing the impeachment process and Democrats.

The impeachment process “is nothing but an attempt to subvert the will of nearly 63 million voters,” Steube said in an Oct. 31 statement following the House vote establishing the procedures for the impeachment process. Nothing he has said since has indicated any change in that position.

Steube sits on the House Judiciary Committee where he has been an ardent defender of the president.

It was while questioning witnesses on Monday, Dec. 9 that Steube’s remarks sparked widespread online criticism for what many observers regarded as an anti-Semitic slur.

Steube read a prepared statement condemning Barry Berke, the lawyer who presented the Democratic case for impeachment. As special counsel to the Committee, Berke served as the architect of the Democratic case and laid out the facts in testimony before the committee.

“Mr. Berke is an unelected, New York lawyer, specifically brought in by the Democrats to give his opinion,” said Steube when it was his turn to speak. “[He is] a politically biased consultant who has given hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal elections to the likes of Act Blue, Hillary Clinton, Obama and Biden.”

Steube kept hammering at Berke’s New York connections. “Mr. Berke is a white collar criminal defense lawyer who brags on his website of getting New York financial brokers deferred prosecution for tax fraud, and fund managers off insider trading charges.”

Steube repeatedly charged that Berke had “lied”—without giving evidence. “This is who was sitting at the top of the dais, next to the chairman, acting like a member of this committee; a partisan New York lawyer with a written bias against President Trump who gave thousands to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.”

The term “New York lawyer” has widely regarded by many observers as an anti-Semitic dog whistle for “Jewish.”

Rep. Ted Deutch (D-22-Fla.), also a member of the committee, tried to ask Steube what he meant by “New York lawyer” but Rep. Jerold Nadler (D-10-NY), chairman of the committee, would not allow the question in order to keep the proceedings moving forward.

“Rep. Greg Steube just described Barry Berke as a ‘New York lawyer.’ Multiple times,” tweeted a Jewish activist group called Bend the Arc. “Let’s be clear: that’s coded language for ‘Jew.’ Again and again, Trump & his enablers invoke antisemitism to distract from impeachment & promote bigotry. Leave our Jewish community alone.”

Steube dismissed the controversy. “It’s ridiculous to think my comments were anything but aimed at liberal Democrats who will stop at nothing to impeach this President,” he said after the hearing.

Mario’s silence

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-25-Fla.), whose district stretches from Golden Gate to Hialeah on the east coast of Florida, has remained remarkably silent on his position regarding impeachment.

In the past, Diaz-Balart has been a faithful party soldier, voting with the president 91 percent of the time over the course of his career, according to the website FiveThirtyEight.com.

The Paradise Progressive reached out to Diaz-Balart’s office for comment and clarification of his impeachment position. If an answer is received, this article will be updated.

Full statement of Rep. Francis Rooney on impeachment:

Regardless of my or anyone’s opinion about the President’s treatment of the Ukrainians, Rudy Giuliani or anyone else, impeachment is such a grave matter that it demands that a strong and clear case be made. Personally, I do not believe that the President’s behavior related to Ukraine was proper and feel that he should not undermine the work of our Ambassadors and foreign service officers who spend their careers protecting United States’ interests around the world, often at great hardship, but the issue is whether this is criminal and impeachable or not.

Surprisingly, I have been criticized by many ardent supporters of the President for saying that I can’t say whether I am for or against his impeachment until I see all the facts and evidence. I still feel strongly that we need to develop all possible evidence that could bear on such an important decision. How can such an important decision be made otherwise?

There are several important sources of first-hand testimony about what was or was not said by the president that should be heard under oath, namely Giuliani, Amb. Bolton, Sec. Pompeo, Chief of Staff Mulvaney and the former Secretary of Energy Perry. We will soon know the outcome of the challenge to former White House Counsel Don McGahn’s claim of executive privilege. The result of this case plus existing precedents suggest that a compelling basis exists to compel all these individuals to testify. First-hand accounts like these would affirm that the impeachment process is seeking substantive outcomes based on real facts and accurate information, rather than reflecting a more political objective.

How can we move forward on such an impactful process as impeachment without them, and without any other collateral evidence these witnesses might lead us to, in order show the American people the fairness and thoroughness that this measure merits? Like the legal canon of avoiding “even the appearance of impropriety”, I urge that the leaders of the impeachment process go the extra mile to exemplify impartiality, fairness and objectivity in their deliberations.

This consideration of broadening the inquiry is a different one from whether the facts known at this time justify impeachment. Impeachment is not like a routine criminal indictment that may or may not be based on all possible facts if the legal case has been made. It is a significant Constitutional procedure that fundamentally impacts our institutions and is inextricably linked to the confidence of the American people in their legislators and government. Accordingly, having enough evidence per se is not enough to move forward when much more probative testimony is available to assure that no stone is left unturned.

Liberty lives in light

State of play: SWFL spared in Trump rant; Banyai gets first endorsement

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-23-Fla.) speaks at a protest against President Donald Trump during his rally in Sunrise. (Photo: Matias J. Ocner, Miami Herald, TNS)

Welcome to State of Play, an occasional roundup of political news affecting Southwest Florida.

Nov. 27, 2019 by David Silverberg

Updated 2:05 pm with mentions of Reps. Greg Steube and Mario Diaz-Balart.

Despite a discursive, digressive and dissembling speech that touched on numerous topics and featured shout-outs to Florida politicians, President Donald Trump steered clear of mentioning Southwest Florida at his “homecoming” rally last night, Nov. 26, in Sunrise.

In contrast to past speeches made in southern Florida, Trump did not mention Rep. Francis Rooney (R-19-Fla.) or intervene in the primary race to replace him.

Rooney has stated that he is open to considering evidence that might lead to the impeachment of the president. He has announced his retirement from Congress and a Republican primary race is now under way.

In 2018 Trump’s intervention in the Republican primary for governor enabled the nomination of Ron DeSantis, then a member of Congress.

Trump called Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) “one of the most popular governors anywhere in the country, true [then shouted] though he better not be more popular in Florida than me!”

He then began a strange, convoluted introduction of DeSantis, produced here verbatim:

“So here’s a quick story. I shouldn’t say this, but what the Hell, right? So Ron’s been a friend of mine for a long time. He was a congressman. Did an incredible job, always protecting me from the Russia witch hunt, until beyond, he’d be armed with these guys with Matt [Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-1-Fla.)] and everybody he offered an incredible race, and then he ran against a Democrat who is supposed to be unbeatable. He got beaten badly and, and now this is one of the most popular governors, but I always thought Ron was a little bit heavy and then one day I’m with him and I pat him on the shoulder and I go: ‘Whoa, that’s strong! That’s a lot of muscle, there!’ My hand didn’t sink in, like it does with a lot of people, and then I see him without a shirt one day and this guy is strong and he’s not fat.

“That’s all power. That’s all muscle! I want to tell you that, and I said, ‘Ron you’re one of the few I say it to, don’t walk around with a jacket all the time, take it off. People are going to see the real Ron!’ But he’s a great guy, he’s a tough guy he’s a brilliant guy and he’s our governor and I’m very proud. When we got involved with Ron, a lot of people were saying, ‘You think he can make it?’ I said, ‘He’s going to make it because he’s a champ, he’s a winner!’ and I want you to say a few words, Ron. Thank you.”

Reps. Gaetz, Brian Mast (R-18-Fla.), Michael Waltz (R-6-Fla.), Bill Posey (R-15-Fla.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-12-Fla.) received acknowledgments from the President, who also praised Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Pam Bondi, the former state attorney general who is now working on his impeachment defense team, as well as Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Petronis and Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez. Rep. Greg Steube (R-17-Fla.), who has emerged as Southwest Florida’s top Trump defender, was unmentioned and absent, as was Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-25-Fla.).

In terms of specific mentions of Southwest Florida, the president boasted that he had delivered over half a billion dollars “to fix Lake Okeechobee” and that he had fixed the Hoover Dike and “restored the ecosystems in the Florida Everglades.” [Factual note: Lake Okeechobee and the Hoover Dike are nowhere near “fixed,” although work has begun as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP].)

“It’s been incredible and we did that altogether. They’ve been talking about doing it for years. They didn’t do anything, it’s all almost finished,” [Factual note: Work has been going on steadily since Congress first authorized CERP in 2000.] “It’s finished in some cases, but almost finished and all the money has been gotten for Florida.” [Factual note: Work on CERP is scheduled to continue until at least 2030.] “I also signed legislation authorizing $100 million to fight red tide and other toxic algae that damages our coastal areas and now Ron’s got the money that he wants.”

At no point did Trump acknowledge the work on CERP and blue-green algae done by Rooney during his two terms in Congress.

To see a complete preliminary transcript along with video of Trump’s Sunrise rally speech, click here.

Cindy Banyai wins first endorsement

Cindy Banyai, Democratic candidate for Congress in District 19, has won her first endorsement, from No Democrat Left Behind, a coalition of groups supporting Democratic candidates running in heavily Republican districts.

“We want to bring this party together in a way it has never seen before,” states the coalition’s website. “This groundbreaking campaign is about the people who make this country great: you. We hope to show you that there are candidates from across the nation that are always ready to fight the good fight and stand up for what matters most.”

“The people of Southwest Florida deserve leadership that truly serves them and a dialogue on issues that matter most. No Dem Left Behind’s support of candidates in districts like ours, ensures that more than a few powerful elite voices are heard,” Banyai announced in a press release.

The coalition also endorsed Allen Ellison, Democratic candidate for Congress in District 17, which includes Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Venice and most of Lehigh Acres.