It's going to be hard to recover from mistakes like this and still win the nomination.  And if he does win, you know the republicans will talk about nothing but his mismanagement of the party.

After Bungling Party's Books, Maddox Deserves The Boot

Published: Jun 24, 2005

Given the Democratic Party's downward spiral in Florida politics, you might wonder what qualifies former state party chairman Scott Maddox to run for governor.
Now we learn that he can't manage a budget, either. Under his leadership, the state Democratic Party failed to pay employees' payroll and Social Security taxes, resulting in an IRS lien on party assets.

Maddox says he accepts responsibility, although he is quick to blame a bookkeeper. Still, if Maddox had the makings of a strong chief executive, he would have been asking probative questions, holding people accountable and managing the party to financial stability.

Instead, party activists are being asked to write checks to help dispose of the $200,000 tax lien. Another $900,000 may be missing from the state party treasury, although Maddox says that may be the result of a simple bookkeeping error.

Regardless, the former Tallahassee mayor's track record creates no confidence that he could manage a $63 billion state budget.

New Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman, who must clean up this mess, says, ``I can tell you that according to the audit that was done, the internal controls in this office were absolutely, unequivocally the worst.''

The personable Maddox is a gifted speaker, and his fellow Democrats had hoped he would energize the party when they selected him chair more than two years ago. Even then, some worried that Maddox would use the office to advance his personal ambitions rather than rebuild a party that has lost the Governor's Mansion and holds minority status in the state House and Senate.

Their fears were realized. Maddox attracted publicity for himself but failed to put together an organization that could win a statewide race.

Perhaps there is no scandal here - just honest mistakes and inattention. It doesn't matter. Because of Maddox's leadership, the state party is embarrassed, discredited and broke.

Maddox should get out of the governor's race. Now.

This can't be good news for former Democratic party chairman Scott Maddox who resigned to run for Governor.  

If he can't manage the party's finances, how he is supposed to manage the state's finances?

State Democratic Party faces IRS lien
The party faces a lien of about $200,000 for unpaid federal withholding from paychecks. Stunned party leaders order an audit.
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published June 22, 2005

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The IRS has placed a lien of about $200,000 on the Florida Democratic Party for failing to pay federal taxes withheld from the paychecks of party staffers.

The move, in effect, froze the party's accounts and stunned party officers responsible for overseeing the budget. Karen Thurman, the new party chairwoman, told Democrats Tuesday she learned of the lien the day before.

Party officials then ordered an independent financial audit of the beleaguered state party. Some members fretted that it appears more than $900,000 is unaccounted for.

Scott Maddox, former chair of the party, is the latest democrat to enter the race for Governor.  Don't know what his chances are.  He has good relations with party fundraisers, and he is a better speaker than the other 2 candidates, Sen. Rod Smith and Cong. Jim Davis.  He lost a primary for Attorney General 4 years ago though, and he is only 37.  Not sure how this is going to turn out.

From party chief to candidate for governor

The race to replace Gov. Jeb Bush gained another contender, Scott Maddox, who led the Florida Democratic Party for the past two years.

BY LESLEY CLARK

lclark@herald.com

Scott Maddox, the just-departed chief of the state's Democratic party, declared his candidacy for governor on Monday, becoming the third Democrat angling to replace Republican Gov. Jeb Bush.

Maddox, who has been widely expected to run for governor, became party chief after Florida Democrats suffered a string of losses at the polls in 2002, including losing a bid to unseat Bush.

The daughter of last year's senate nominee, Betty Castor, is making a run for Congress.  Got to think after her Mom spend $11 million last year that Kathy Castor will be the favorite in the race.

Kathy Castor Makes House Run Official
By ELLEN GEDALIUS and WILLIAM MARCH
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Vowing to keep her focus on her job as a Hillsborough County commissioner, Kathy Castor announced she is running for U.S. Congress.
``I'm not going to have a lot of rallies,'' Castor said. ``I'm going to be a good commissioner.''

Two other Democratic candidates have filed to run for the seat, state Sen. Les Miller and lawyer and child welfare advocate Scott Farrell, both of Tampa.

The congressional seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa, who is running for governor.

Looks like Rod Smith has been busy shaking the money tree.  It's interesting that his competition, and only other announced candidate, Jim Davis would not release his fundraising number.  That would seem to imply that they didn't match Sen. Smith's number.  

Smith raises $349,000 in 36 days for gubernatorial bid

The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Democratic state Sen. Rod Smith raised about $349,000 for gubernatorial campaign during the 36 days leading up to the legislative session, his campaign said Monday.

If you are from Florida, go and sign this petition now. In no state is redistrcting more needed. If there is a fair map, then Florida, on its own, could net Demcorats five or six of the thirteen seats they need to retake the House. and that isn't even talking about 2012 and beyond when Florida will gain even more seats--Chris

A group in Florida has launched a website to begin gathering petitions to change redistricting in the state.  All registered voters in Florida, please go to www.committeeforfairelections.com and download the petitions.

This is the most important issues for Florida Democrats.  While more people are registered democrat than republican, the state is dominated by republicans thanks to extreme gerrymandering.  If we ever want to pick up congressional seats in this state, the only way to do it is to take the power to draw districts out of the hands of the republican controlled legislature.

Told you she wouldn't run. . .

Word Slips That Castor Won't Run In 2006
By WILLIAM MARCH and ALLISON NORTH JONES
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Betty Castor is telling friends and supporters she will not be a candidate for governor next year.
Her withdrawal would take the best-known Democrat out of the 2006 race but open the field for others, particularly U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, of Tampa.

TALLAHASSEE -- Lawton ``Bud'' Chiles III is dropping out of the governor's race, citing a provision in the state constitution that requires a gubernatorial candidate to live in the state for the seven years before the election.

Chiles, the son of the late governor, announced in January he was going to run for the seat being vacated by Gov. Jeb Bush. But he recently learned about the residency restriction and decided to drop out of the race, said Ron Sachs, a friend of Chiles and former communications director for his father.

Chiles, a Democrat from Orlando, moved back to Florida two years ago after living in the Northeast for about a decade. He previously lived in Tallahassee, where he ran a communications company.

Chiles planned to make the announcement at a previously scheduled speech before members of the AARP.

Bush can't seek re-election because of term limits.