BuzzFlash Interviews Candice McElyea

January 27, 2002

BUZZFLASH EXCLUSIVE: FORMIDABLE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WILL OPPOSE KATHERINE HARRIS FOR CONGRESS

Katherine Harris has promised to raise $2 million to become Congresswoman for the 13th Congressional District centered in Sarasota, Florida. The district is currently represented by GOP Congressman Dan Miller, who is retiring. As indication of how beholden Harris will be to major donors, if elected, Miller, according to news reports, didn’t raise $2 million in his 10 years in office combined. Harris already, reportedly, has 8 paid staffers. One of them no doubt has the responsibility of erasing computer files and shredding memos. (see http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,43670,00.html)

"Even Tramm Hudson, who chairs Sarasota County's Republican Party, says $2 million is an 'almost absurd amount of money' for a House campaign in the Gulf coast district," according to the FOX article.

But not so fast Katherine. BuzzFlash.com received the national scoop that on Tuesday, January 29, a formidable Democratic challenger will enter the field to take on the infamous Florida Secretary of State. Candice McElyea, a well-known Sarasota TV news reporter, who is married to a police officer, will announce her candidacy for representing the 13th District in Congress. While Katherine Harris has been traveling around the world at taxpayer expense, McElyea has been out on the streets of the district everyday, reporting on and getting to know the needs of her district.

BuzzFlash.com obtained this exclusive pre-announcement interview with Ms. McElyea.

BUZZFLASH: The leading Republican primary candidate in the 13th district is Katherine Harris, the current Florida Secretary of State. Do you have any comments on Ms. Harris's candidacy?

MCELYEA: Although she owns property in the District, Katherine Harris hasn't actually lived there in a very long time. She is so out of touch with District residents and concerns, that she is reported to have said recently that she would need to "study" the District, before taking any positions. Harris appears to be seeking the District's U.S. Representative seat primarily because she's losing her job in Tallahassee, not because she's concerned about the District or its people. While she certainly has supporters in the District, Harris may find that the majority of District voters are not at all pleased with her supposed return.

BUZZFLASH: Harris, just the other day, pledged to raise $2 million for the race. How, assuming both you and she win your respective primaries, do you plan to match that kind of money. Given her role in helping the Bush campaign in the 2000 Presidential election, the GOP is likely to support her financially in a big way. How can a Democrat match that sort of funding?

MCELYEA: This campaign is not going to necessarily be won by the candidate who can write the biggest check. Certainly, we need look no further than the near past at races in other states, to know that a candidate who assumes she can buy the election just might have another thought coming. Voters have gotten wiser, and many are insulted at the notion of someone swooping down into the District with a fat wallet, and assuming they're going to be elected. This election will be won by the candidate who is most connected to the District's voters, who most understands their concerns, and who is most capable of representing them in Congress. I intend to demonstrate to voters, through direct grassroots voter contact, that I am the best candidate for the job.

BUZZFLASH: How would your election as Congresswoman impact the residents of the 13th district differently than if Ms. Harris were to be elected?

MCELYEA: I firmly believe that Katherine Harris is concerned about her own career, more than she is concerned about the District's residents. If I am elected Congresswoman, the residents of this District will find my staff attending to their needs, rather than mine. My doors will always be open. I will always be listening and paying attention. And, I will always be acting in the best interests of the residents of my District.

BUZZFLASH: The retiring Congressman for the 13th District run the last election with 67% of the vote. Are there enough residents of the district to make the race viable for a Democrat?

MCELYEA: Congressman Miller has been popular. However, Katherine Harris is not Congressman Miller. Aside from Congressman Miller's reelection vote, the District performs at a typical 46% for Democrats. That means the real challenge for me is to prove to an additional 4% of voters (plus 1 vote), that I am a better candidate for the job than is Katherine Harris. Considering that Harris is probably disliked by as many Republican and other swing voters as she is liked, I believe the odds favor my election.

BUZZFLASH: Why are you running to represent the 13th Congressional District in Florida?

MCELYEA: As a 19 year resident of Sarasota, Florida, I have a vested interest in making sure the needs of this community are communicated at the federal level. I was educated in Sarasota public schools and I have reported on the important and controversial issues here for the past 3-1/2 years. I am dedicated to maintaining that connection with the people who live here in order to facilitate the message of our concerns in Washington. Having served this community as a reporter for the past several years gives me a unique perspective on the issues, and has only strengthened my desire to serve this district in the United States Congress.

BUZZFLASH: What will your priorities be if elected?

MCELYEA: First and foremost, my number one priority will be maintaining my connection with the people in the District. My door will always be open, and I will always be directly accessible to anyone who wants to be heard. As my top issues, I am committed to bringing in more money for education, making sure everyone has access to affordable healthcare and prescription drugs, and taking steps to ensure the tourism industry continues to thrive in this District, serving to enhance the otherwise faltering economy.

BUZZFLASH: Given the number of senior citizens in the Sarasota area, what are your thoughts on expanding Medicare benefits, particularly prescription drugs, and ensuring the solvency of the Medicare program?

MCELYEA: No one should reach retirement age in this country, only to find themselves having to choose between life-saving prescriptions drugs and, for example, being able to afford to purchase nutritious food. Seniors have spent their entire lives paying taxes, and it's our moral responsibility to see that they can at least afford to obtain necessary medication. The Medicare program must be expanded to include the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare recipients. And, Medicare's solvency, as well as that of Social Security, must be provided for. For example, a Medicare trust fund could be set up, to set aside funds for current and future needs, much as the Social Security Trust Fund operates. These trust funds must be untouched...not borrowed from...so that the funds are available for the use intended. If elected, I will work with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, to provide for and protect Medicare and Social Security needs.

THE BUZZFLASH FINAL WORD: You might say Katherine Harris, in true “Enronomics” fashion, is running on money and Candice McElyea is running on issues. Harris will be beholden to her big bucks contributors – and we’ve seen enough of that sort of political corruption in D.C. McElyrea, it appears from her interview, will be beholden to the people of the 13th Congressional District. That’s the BuzzFlash take on things.