CLEARWATER, Fla.
Clearwater City Council, Seat 3 candidate Jared Leone has brought non-partisan politics to the forefront of the campaign conversation in this very important city election.
“I am not backed by special interests or political parties,” Leone said at the City’s official candidate forum Feb. 6. “I am a proud, registered non-partisan candidate running in this non-partisan race. Responsible fiscal spending, improving infrastructure and ensuring a safe, high-quality of life for every resident in Clearwater is not resigned to one political party. And I am here to represent everyone.”
Mr. Leone’s closing remarks at the city’s recent candidate forums for Seat 2 and 3 influenced one of the top questions moderator Al Ruechel asked the following night to the mayoral candidates. The following night, on Feb. 7, barely 15 minutes into the hour-long forum, Ruechel asked:
“This is supposed to be a non-partisan election but recently the Legislature toyed with the idea of making all elections partisan,” Ruechel said. “This is a two part question. First, do you oppose or support the position of making all elections partisan. Part two, this may be tougher, have you received any direct or indirect aid from either the Democrat or Republican parties?”
While both candidates talked about their party affiliation, neither candidate answered the second part of the question about getting backing from political parties.
Leone’s closing and Reuchel’s question also led to the publication of the Tampa Bay Times story ‘As Clearwater election near, a debate over who’s in the ‘establishment‘ ” which gives an overview of the city’s entrenched behind-the-scenes political power structure.
Clearwater’s nonpartisan election is March 19.
To learn more email jaredforclearwater@gmail.com or visit jaredforclearwater.com.
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