Alex Villalobos Backs Dan Gelber for AG

Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, who is leaving the Legislature after almost two decades in the House and Senate, bailed on the Republicans to back Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, the Democratic nominee for attorney general. Despite having served as the Republican leader in the Senate,Villalobos also backed Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running in the U.S. Senate race without party affiliation.

I am proud to endorse my good friend and colleague Dan Gelber in his campaign for attorney general, said Villalobos. As a former top federal prosecutor, Dan understands the importance of serving as an attorney general that puts protecting Floridians above partisan politics, and thats why Ive endorsed him for attorney general. Public safety and security is not a partisan issue, and I have great confidence in Dan to always put the best interests of Floridas citizens above all else.

It is an honor to have the endorsement of my good friend and colleague state Senator Alex Villalobos, said Gelber. Alex and I share the view that the attorney general needs to always put partisanship aside when addressing Floridas security challenges. The public safety issues that we need to tackle head on, like fighting fraud, keeping gangs off the streets, and taking down scam artists that prey on our seniors are not partisan issues, and as the next attorney general, Floridians can always count on me to put their safety and security first.

Villalobos raised Republican ire by standing against former Gov. Jeb Bushs education program. While Villalobos withstood a primary challenge back in 2006, his dream of becoming Senate president never saw fruition.