House Democrats were celebratory earlier this month when they picked up seven seats in the House. But that celebration is turning out to be a bit short-lived. Rep. Will Kendrick of Carrabelle will announce today that he is switching ranks to the Republican Party. Kendrick's decision comes at an interesting time: He is barred from running again by term limits and had just won re-election when he failed to draw an opponent.
The defection also means that Republicans are just one vote shy from having a two-thirds majority again _ the margin needed in many extraordinary votes taken by the Legislature. The breakdown will now be Republicans 79 and Democrats 41. Rep. Dan Gelber, the Miami Beach Democrat and incoming House Democratic Leader, was not happy about the defection: "Some people are more opportunistic than others,'' he said.
At least when Slade the former chair of the RPOF decided to switch parties he had enough character and integrity to resign his elected position. The people elected him as a democrat to the state legislature and once he decided to switch he resigned his seat. Integrity, character and honesty what the people want and those that lead refuse to do. Where are the Slade’s of old God I truly miss them.
Abe Lincoln,
Interim Chair of the RPOF
Posted by: Abe Lincoln | November 20, 2006 at 03:35 PM
Will's been a closet republican all along, so it's no surprise he changed parties. I expect the RPOF promised him substantial support when he runs for Franklin County School Superintendent in '08. It's part of their plan to turn even the conservative north Florida D's to R's
Posted by: Cynical Idealist | November 21, 2006 at 10:07 AM