Bondi, Atwater and Putnam face little trouble in re-election bids


  • By
  • | 12:00 p.m. November 4, 2014
  • | 5 Free Articles Remaining!
  • Government
  • Share

Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam were re-elected with ease.

Bondi had little problem overcoming a steady stream of low key attacks over her management of the office to win a second term.

Bondi, who raised more than twice the money as her competitors and hasn't been shy about standing with Gov. Rick Scott this past week, overwhelmingly defeated vastly outspent Democrat George Sheldon and Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer.

Bondi, who four years ago rode a Republican wave into the statewide office, has dismissed most of the criticism of her office while telling voters she has cracked down on pill mills and been tough in the fight against synthetic drugs and human trafficking.

In her victory speech Bondi declared "I will remain committed to securing the safety and well-being of every Floridian."

She campaigned Monday in Tampa with former Gov. Jeb Bush and was celebrating Tuesday evening in Tampa.

Atwater, a 56-year-old banker who served as Senate president in 2009 and 2010, had little problem holding off William Rankin, 54, another U.S. Army veteran who describes himself as an international business consultant.

After serving in the House and getting elected to the Senate, Atwater became Senate president and then was elected statewide as chief financial officer. He also is mentioned frequently as a possible candidate for higher office in the future.

As chief financial officer, Atwater has launched efforts to make state contracts more accessible to the public. Also, he has been involved in issues such as questioning why property insurance rates failed to fall in line with a drop in costs for reinsurance, which is a type of backup coverage for insurers.

Since getting elected agriculture commissioner, Putnam has promoted efforts to battle a disease impacting the citrus industry, as well as non-native species such as the destructive Giant African Land Snail. With his office also overseeing consumer services, Putnam has been involved in efforts such as pushing to rewrite rules to protect consumers from fraudulent and deceptive charities.

Putnam on Twitter had earlier noted he made sure to have lunch Tuesday at Fat Jacks Deli and Pub in Lakeland, his Election Day tradition since 1996.

 

×

Special Offer: $5 for 2 Months!

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning business news.