BREAKING: Rep. John Patrick Julien Quits Challenge to Primary Election Defeat

Submitted by Kevin Derby on October 25, 2012 - 12:19am

State Rep. John Patrick Julien, D-North Miami, has announced his decision not to appeal his primary election defeat to Rep. Barbara Watson of Miami Gardens. In a letter to supporters, the Haitian-born legislator cites his reluctance to cause division and to make taxpayer foot the bill of a special election if he should prevail.

Sunshine State News previously reported on the blacklisting of Julien and two other Haitian state legislators by their own Democratic Party for their voting records. The three havedistinguishedthemselves, to varying degrees, by their support of pro-business legislation, school choice, and the right to life of the unborn. One prominent political consultant has referred to their treatment as a "political ethnic cleansing."

Sources close to Julien have told the News he is "considering a party switch."

Julien's letter to supporters follows:

"Out of respect, I wanted to share with you that I have made a decision to drop my challenge before the full House.

"First, I do not wish to put Speaker-Designate Weatherford in a position to start his tenure with this divisive issue.

"Additionally,if I were successful in proving fraud took place it would only create a vacancy andI cannot ask the taxpayers to foot the bill for a special election.

I wish to thank my attorney Juan-Carlos 'JC' Planas for his diligence in putting forth a case that we believed was credible and exposed wrong doing.

"If I had to consider, in retrospect, whether I would do it again, I would do so without reservation or hesitation. The integrity of the vote and the enfranchisement of the people was at stake and while I am disappointed with the ruling of the court, I do, however, respect the process.

"At the conclusion of the hearing last week, Representative Darryl Rouson suggested that I not go further and I declined to entertain such action.

"It is my belief that the appropriate agencies of government will scrutinize the evidence and testimony and inquire on their own. Justice will ultimately prevail.

"November 6th and 20th are critical dates for our nation and State.

"As a nation we will elect a President. As a State we will elect new leaders in our Legislature. I fought for the 5,269 individuals who voted for me on August 14th but there comes a time when one must stop an individual battle and seek unity, therefore, I accept the suggestion to stand down and not cause further division.

"I do not know what the future holds for me but I thank God and the voters for allowing me to SERVE.

"John Patrick Julien"

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