Lone Republican on Broward commission to be replaced by lawyer
By Bill Hirschman & Elizabeth Baier
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 8, 2006
Jim Scott, once one of Florida's most powerful politicians, lost his District 4 Broward County Commission seat to lawyer Ken Keechl -- Scott's first loss in 30 years.
The upset in Tuesday's election removes the sole Republican voice from the commission and puts the first openly gay candidate on the board.
Keechl will be sworn in Nov. 21 with the other victors: District 2 incumbent Kristin Jacobs and former state Sen. Stacy Ritter, who won the District 3 seat.
Keechl celebrated with supporters at his Coral Ridge home: "My message was universal. People of Broward County are tired of being overtaxed, tired of losing their green space and beaches, and they wanted a commissioner that will represent them full time, not someone that will use their office for political gain. They wanted a change."
Scott, 64, becomes the first incumbent commissioner to lose an election since Norman Abramowitz in 2000.
"It's a tough year to be a Republican in Broward County," Scott said.
Scott had been seeking his second full term. He was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2000 when Scott Cowan pleaded guilty to election law violations. Scott won election in 2002 without opposition.
The race appeared surprisingly close in recent weeks, given Scott's stature as former president of the state Senate and a force in local politics for three decades.
But Keechl campaigned hard while Scott's campaign seemed lower-key -- fewer yard signs in many precincts -- although he invested heavily in mailings and commercials on cable stations seen only in targeted neighborhoods.
Keechl, 43, who is active in Democratic politics and the area's gay community, attempted to tap public discontent over rising property taxes. He also questioned Scott's ethics for his role in redeveloping Fort Lauderdale's last public golf course.
His mailing attacked Scott for missing 13 commission meetings in two years and questioned his devoting time to lobbying in Tallahassee.
Scott stressed his record of tax reform and cuts in government spending. He cited his role in building parks, blocking mega-development along the ocean, winning state aid for beach restoration and helping cities improve blighted areas.
Stacy Ritter, a Democrat in her sixth campaign, defeated newcomer John Irving Halpern, medical director of the emergency department at Coral Springs Medical Center. Ritter, 46, benefited from name recognition earned serving in the Legislature from 1996 to 2004. Ritter replaces Ben Graber, who resigned to run for the state Senate.
Kristin Jacobs, 47, trounced independent Bob Hoffman. Hoffman, a mortgage and real estate broker, stopped campaigning weeks ago, citing his mother's illness and other "personal tragedies."
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 8, 2006
Jim Scott, once one of Florida's most powerful politicians, lost his District 4 Broward County Commission seat to lawyer Ken Keechl -- Scott's first loss in 30 years.
The upset in Tuesday's election removes the sole Republican voice from the commission and puts the first openly gay candidate on the board.
Keechl will be sworn in Nov. 21 with the other victors: District 2 incumbent Kristin Jacobs and former state Sen. Stacy Ritter, who won the District 3 seat.
Keechl celebrated with supporters at his Coral Ridge home: "My message was universal. People of Broward County are tired of being overtaxed, tired of losing their green space and beaches, and they wanted a commissioner that will represent them full time, not someone that will use their office for political gain. They wanted a change."
Scott, 64, becomes the first incumbent commissioner to lose an election since Norman Abramowitz in 2000.
"It's a tough year to be a Republican in Broward County," Scott said.
Scott had been seeking his second full term. He was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2000 when Scott Cowan pleaded guilty to election law violations. Scott won election in 2002 without opposition.
The race appeared surprisingly close in recent weeks, given Scott's stature as former president of the state Senate and a force in local politics for three decades.
But Keechl campaigned hard while Scott's campaign seemed lower-key -- fewer yard signs in many precincts -- although he invested heavily in mailings and commercials on cable stations seen only in targeted neighborhoods.
Keechl, 43, who is active in Democratic politics and the area's gay community, attempted to tap public discontent over rising property taxes. He also questioned Scott's ethics for his role in redeveloping Fort Lauderdale's last public golf course.
His mailing attacked Scott for missing 13 commission meetings in two years and questioned his devoting time to lobbying in Tallahassee.
Scott stressed his record of tax reform and cuts in government spending. He cited his role in building parks, blocking mega-development along the ocean, winning state aid for beach restoration and helping cities improve blighted areas.
Stacy Ritter, a Democrat in her sixth campaign, defeated newcomer John Irving Halpern, medical director of the emergency department at Coral Springs Medical Center. Ritter, 46, benefited from name recognition earned serving in the Legislature from 1996 to 2004. Ritter replaces Ben Graber, who resigned to run for the state Senate.
Kristin Jacobs, 47, trounced independent Bob Hoffman. Hoffman, a mortgage and real estate broker, stopped campaigning weeks ago, citing his mother's illness and other "personal tragedies."
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