2010 Florida Attorney General election

The 2010 Florida Attorney General election took place on November 2, 2010, to elect the Attorney General of Florida. Incumbent Attorney General Bill McCollum opted to run for run for Governor rather than seek reelection. The election was won by Republican Pam Bondi, a former assistant state attorney for Hillsborough County, who defeated Democrat Dan Gelber by a 54.8% to 41.1% margin. Bondi took office in January 2011.

2010 Florida Attorney General election

← 2006 November 2, 2010 2014 →
 
Nominee Pam Bondi Dan Gelber
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,882,868 2,181,377
Percentage 54.8% 41.4%

Bondi:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Gelber:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

Attorney General before election

Bill McCollum
Republican

Elected Attorney General

Pam Bondi
Republican

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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With Governor Charlie Crist opting to run for the United States Senate in 2010 rather than seek re-election, Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp ran for attorney general. He was joined in the Republican primary by former state representative and Crist administration official Holly Benson and assistant state attorney Pam Bondi.

Though all three candidates were relatively unknown, Kottkamp had the greatest name recognition following his successful statewide campaign in 2006, and raised the most money.[1] Kottkamp campaigned on his endorsements from law enforcement, his support for cracking down on pill mills, cybercrime, and Medicaid fraud, and his opposition to illegal immigration.[1] He was criticized, however, for his use of state planes and vehicles[2] to travel on vacations and to music concerts.[3]

Benson, meanwhile, campaigned on her fiscal conservatism, pledging to create a "regulatory strike force" and to "focus legal efforts on cutting government regulation of businesses and unnecessary paperwork."[1] She emphasized her experience running the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the state Agency for Health Care Administration.[1] The Orlando Sentinel, though praising her "stronger management experience," called her priorities "misplaced," and observed that "reducing regulations on business and limiting lawsuits" were more appropriate goals for a governor or state legislator.[2]

Bondi criticized Benson's remarks during a radio interview, where she said "[J]ust because you're poor doesn't mean you have to be unhealthy. It means you have a lot more time to go running."[4]

Finally, Bondi emphasized her conservative credentials and her opposition to the Obama administration.[1] She noted that she would have refused to accept stimulus money from the federal government, took a position against the restoration of felons' voter rights, and pledged to challenge the Affordable Care Act in court.[1]

Endorsements

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Holly Benson

U.S. Representatives

Statewide officials

State legislators

Mayors and other municipal leaders

Newspapers

Pam Bondi

Statewide officials

State legislators

Other individuals

Organizations

Newspapers

Jeff Kottkamp

U.S. Senators

U.S. Representatives

State legislators

Mayors and other municipal leaders

Other individuals

Organizations

Results

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Republican primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pam Bondi 459,022 37.89
Republican Jeff Kottkamp 397,781 32.84
Republican Holly Benson 354,573 29.27
Total votes 1,211,376 100.00

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Endorsements

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Dave Aronberg

U.S. Representatives

State legislators

Mayors and other municipal leaders

Organizations

Dan Gelber

U.S. Cabinet Members and Cabinet-level officials

U.S. Representatives

Statewide officials

State legislators

Mayors and other municipal leaders

Organizations

Newspapers

Results

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Democratic primary results[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dan Gelber 491,834 59.14
Democratic Dave Aronberg 339,856 40.86
Total votes 831,690 100.00

General election

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Results

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Florida Attorney General election, 2010[53]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Pam Bondi 2,882,868 54.77% +2.08%
Democratic Dan Gelber 2,181,377 41.44% −5.86%
Independent Jim Lewis 199,147 3.78%
Majority 701,491 13.33% +7.95%
Turnout 5,263,392
Republican hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Hafenbrack, Josh (July 30, 2010). "Florida attorney general's race: GOP's Holly Benson, Pam Bondi, Jeff Kottkamp fight to stand out". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Our Endorsements: For Attorney General". Orlando Sentinel. August 6, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  3. ^ Bousquet, Steve (July 30, 2010). "Kottkamp sought state-paid security escort on personal trip to Italy". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  4. ^ Sharockman, Aaron (July 20, 2010). "Benefit of being unemployed: You have more time to exercise, Holly Benson says". PolitiFact. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d Crew, Jr., Robert E. (2013). The 2010 Elections in Florida: It's The Economy, Stupid!. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-0-7618-6172-0.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "Endorsements". Holly Benson for Attorney General. Archived from the original on August 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Pam Bondi Endorsed By The Orlando Sentinel In Attorney General Race". Capital Soup. August 6, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  8. ^ Derby, Kevin (July 1, 2010). "AIF Backs Pam Bondi for AG". Sunshine State News. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  9. ^ Derby, Kevin (April 27, 2010). "National Pro-Life Group Backs Pam Bondi". Sunshine State News. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Endorsements". Kottkamp for Attorney General. Archived from the original on August 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an "Jeff Kottkamp For Attorney General: Three more legislators endorse Jeff Kottkamp for Attorney General". Capital Soup. June 23, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Derby, Kevin (August 10, 2010). "GOP AG Candidate Jeff Kottkamp Snags Two Endorsements in Miami-Dade". Sunshine State News. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  13. ^ Derby, Kevin (June 30, 2010). "Florida Right-to-Life PAC Releases Endorsements for Primaries". Sunshine State News. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Jeff Kottkamp qualifies for Florida Attorney General". Naples Daily News. June 16, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  15. ^ "August 24, 2010 Primary Election, Republican Primary: Attorney General". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Recent Endorsements Of Dave Aronberg". Dave Aronberg for Attorney General. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  17. ^ a b Frank, John (February 26, 2010). "Wasserman-Schultz, Klein make endorsements in AG race". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d e Schorsch, Peter (May 17, 2010). "Dave Aronberg announces 5 more endorsements". SaintPetersBlog. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  19. ^ a b c Colavecchio, Shannon (September 23, 2009). "Gelber-Aronberg endorsement brag continues..." Miami Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Altman, Howard (August 7, 2010). "Candidates aim to curb fraud". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  21. ^ a b Hafenbrack, Josh (October 20, 2009). "Aronberg, Gelber vie for gay community backing". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  22. ^ Schorsch, Peter (June 10, 2010). "Florida PBA endorses Dave Aronberg". SaintPetersBlog. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  23. ^ Colavecchio, Shannon (November 16, 2009). "Aronberg gets labor endorsement". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  24. ^ Caputo, Marc (October 21, 2009). "FOP endorses Dave Aronberg". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c d Kam, Dara (December 17, 2009). "Correction: Gelber gets Buddy McKay backing, Aronberg gets sheriffs". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  26. ^ "Rep. Joe Gibbons" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  27. ^ "State Representative Audrey Gibson" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Tampa Bay House Democrats Endorse Sen. Dan Gelber for Attorney General" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. June 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  29. ^ "Rep. Evan Jenne" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  30. ^ "State Representative Mia Jones" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  31. ^ "State Senator Arthenia Joyner Endorses Dan Gelber for Attorney General" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. June 18, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  32. ^ "Rep. Matt Meadows" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  33. ^ Perry, Mitch (August 4, 2010). "The Primaries: Dems Dave Aronberg vs. Dan Gelber for FL Attorney General". Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  34. ^ "Rep. Perry Thurston" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  35. ^ "Rep. Jim Waldman" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  36. ^ "Former House Democratic Leader Doug Wiles" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  37. ^ "St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  38. ^ "Mayor Joy Cooper" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  39. ^ "Mayor Debby Eisinger" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  40. ^ Man, Anthony (June 17, 2009). "Attorney general candidate reaches into foe's backyard and plucks an endorsement". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  41. ^ "Broward School Board Vice-Chair Jennifer Gottlieb" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 6, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  42. ^ "Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs Endorses Dan Gelber for Attorney General" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  43. ^ "Jacksonville City Councilwoman Glorious Johnson" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  44. ^ "Mayor Lori Moseley" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  45. ^ "Mayor Frank Ortis" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  46. ^ "Alachua School Board Member Eileen Roy" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 8, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  47. ^ "State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  48. ^ "Mayor of Fort Lauderdale Jack Seiler Endorses Dan Gelber for Attorney General" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. June 22, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  49. ^ "Mayor Roger Wishner" (Press release). Dan Gelber for Attorney General. October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g "Dan Gelber Receives Key Endorsement from SEIU Florida". Capital Soup. August 4, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  51. ^ Schorsch, Peter (August 2, 2010). "St. Petersburg Times endorses Dan Gelber for Attorney General". SaintPetersBlog. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  52. ^ "August 24, 2010 Primary Election, Democratic Primary: Attorney General". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  53. ^ "November 2, 2010 General Election: Attorney General". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved March 15, 2018.