Politics

Democrat Jones officially declared winner over Roy Moore

Published

7 years ago

December 28, 2017

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Democrat Doug Jones’ historic victory over Republican Roy Moore was declared official Thursday as Alabama election officials certified him the winner of the special Senate election earlier this month, despite claims of voter irregularities from his opponent.

Jones defeated Moore on Dec. 12 by about 22,000 votes in a stunning victory in a deeply red state. It was the first Democratic Senate victory in a quarter-century in Alabama. Moore was dogged by accusations of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls that occurred decades ago.

The state’s former chief justice refused to concede and even filed a last-ditch lawsuit hours before the certification, but a judge rejected his claims. Alabama election officials also found no evidence of voting irregularities.

A spokesman for Jones earlier called Moore’s lawsuit a “desperate attempt … to subvert the will of the people.”

“The election is over. It’s time to move on,” Sam Coleman wrote in an email.

Jones will be sworn in on Jan. 3, narrowing the GOP’s advantage in the U.S. Senate to 51-49. He takes over the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The term expires in January 2021.

Jones is a former U.S. attorney best known for prosecuting two Ku Klux Klansmen responsible for Birmingham’s infamous 1963 church bombing.

Moore’s campaign was deeply wounded by the sexual misconduct accusations. Moore denied the accusations and said in the lawsuit that he had passed a polygraph test to prove they are false.

Moore’s attorney wrote in the wide-ranging complaint that he believed there were irregularities during the election, including that voters may have been brought in from other states. He attached a statement from a poll worker that she had noticed licenses from Georgia and North Carolina as people signed in to vote.

The complaint also noted the higher-than-expected turnout in the race, particularly in Jefferson County, and said Moore’s numbers were suspiciously lower than straight-ticket Republican voting in about 20 Jefferson County precincts. The complaint asked for a fraud investigation and eventually a new election.

“This is not a Republican or Democrat issue as election integrity should matter to everyone,” Moore said in a statement Wednesday.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said he had not found any evidence of voter fraud, but that his office will investigate any complaint Moore submits.

Rick Hasen, an election law expert and professor at the University of California, Irvine, said Moore’s complaint did not raise the sort of issues that lead courts to overturn an election. He said Moore’s complaint might just be a way for him to fundraise and throw “red meat to his loyal supporters.”

Moore has sent several fundraising emails to supporters asking for donations to investigate claims of voter fraud.

Up Next

STUDY: Cities Where The Majority of Americans Can’t Afford a Home

Don't Miss

18,000 Hot Dogs, 65,000 Beers, and 1,000 Volunteers: SodexoMAGIC Reveals What It Takes to Feed More Than 90,000 Fans at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1

Click to comment

Politics

State Attorney Andrew Bain Releases Annual Report Highlighting First Year in Office

Published

7 days ago

August 31, 2024

FNN NEWS

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – On Friday, State Attorney Andrew Bain released a comprehensive annual report detailing the achievements, initiatives, and future goals of his office over the past year. Key highlights include a 93% conviction rate in 31 homicide trials, the establishment of a Violent Crimes Unit, and a focus on community engagement for crime prevention.

Key Points:

31 homicide cases went to trial with an 93% conviction rate, resulting in 18 life sentences.
20 sex crimes cases went to trial with an 80% conviction rate, resulting in eight life sentences.
The Violent Crimes Unit prosecuted seven cases with an 85% conviction rate.
Restaffing nearly 99% of the 163 prosecutorial positions, with starting salaries increased to $68,000.
Stronger collaborations with local partners and law enforcement for crime prevention.

The full report is available on the State Attorney’s website at sao9th.com.

Politics

State Rep. Carolina Amesty Vows to Clear Her Name Amid Forgery Charges

Published

1 week ago

August 29, 2024

FNN NEWS

State Rep. Carolina Amesty speaks at a press conference held by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Facing serious legal challenges, State Representative Carolina Amesty is determined to clear her name as she confronts four third-degree felony charges related to forgery and improper notary practices. Amesty surrendered to officials at the Orange County Jail. The 29-year-old lawmaker faces charges including two counts of forgery, one count of illegally notarizing her own signature, and one count of falsely certifying a signature as a notary.

Amesty’s legal troubles stem from her role as an administrator at Central Christian University, a private institution founded by her father, Juan Amesty. The allegations involve notarizing a document with a forged signature, which was part of the school’s licensing submissions to the Florida Department of Education. The controversy, first reported by the Orlando Sentinel, triggered a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation and ultimately led to her indictment by a grand jury on August 28.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Amesty’s campaign swiftly responded with a statement asserting her innocence and labeling the prosecution as politically motivated. “This prosecution, initiated just a few weeks prior to absentee ballots being dropped, is based on misleading reports from a partisan newspaper,” Amesty stated. She expressed confidence in a swift trial and public vindication, urging for a quick resolution.

Political responses have been sharply divided. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has called for Amesty’s resignation, questioning her ability to serve effectively while under indictment.

On the other hand, Republican House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez emphasized that the charges appear unrelated to Amesty’s duties as a state representative and supported her right to defend herself.

Amesty, who won her House District 45 seat with 53% of the vote in 2022, faces a tough reelection battle this November against former Disney executive Leonard Spencer. Her district, which leaned slightly Democratic in the 2020 Presidential Election but supported Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022, is expected to be one of the most competitive legislative races in Florida this cycle.

Despite the mounting pressure, Amesty has signaled her intention to remain in the race, bolstered by nearly $123,000 in campaign funds. She continues to rally her supporters, sharing a verse from Psalms on social media and retweeting a post from Donald Trump about political persecution.

As the legal process unfolds, the race for House District 45 remains a closely watched contest with significant implications for Florida’s political landscape.

Politics

Former Tea Party Candidate Jose Alvarez Wins Democratic Primary for Florida House District 46

Published

2 weeks ago

August 24, 2024

FNN NEWS

By Florida National News

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN) — In a surprising political shift, former Kissimmee mayor Jose A. Alvarez, who once ran as a Tea Party candidate in the 2010 Florida House District 79 race, has secured the 2024 Democratic Primary nomination for Florida House District 46. Alvarez, who initially aligned with the conservative Tea Party movement, now stands as the Democratic nominee, marking a significant evolution in his political journey.

Source: Florida Division of Election’s website

Alvarez’s political path has been anything but typical. In 2010, he challenged Republican incumbent Mike Horner for the Florida House District 79 seat, running on a platform that emphasized limited government and conservative values. His campaign under the Tea Party banner drew attention, particularly when Horner confronted Alvarez before he officially filed his candidacy.

According to Alvarez, “Horner told me things could get ugly” if he didn’t drop out of the race. Alvarez, a Realtor at the time, also recalled receiving calls from fellow brokers urging him to step aside. Horner, however, stated to Sunshine State Newsthat his intent was simply to inform Alvarez about the Florida TEA Party’s “real agenda,” which he claimed aimed to weaken Republican re-election efforts and assist Democrats in gaining seats in the state legislature.

Fast forward 14 years, and Alvarez’s recent victory in the Democratic primary underscores a remarkable transformation in his political alignment. His ability to connect with a diverse electorate in Osceola County highlights the unpredictable and dynamic nature of local politics.

Osceola County Election 2024: John Cortes Wins Recount, Advances to Runoff Against Jackie Espinosa for Kissimmee Mayor

With his Democratic nomination secured, Alvarez is set to compete in the general election for the Florida House District 46 seat. He will face Republican Michael Cruz and NPA Ivan Rivera on November 5, 2024. Alvarez’s journey from a Tea Party candidate to a Democratic nominee illustrates the evolving landscape of political identities and the complexities of voter appeal in contemporary elections.