Florida Chamber Gets Behind Jeff Atwater for CFO

On Tuesday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced the endorsement of Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach, the Republican nominee for state CFO.

Jeff Atwaters tremendous experience as a business leader makes him the best prepared candidate for state CFO, said Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson. His background has provided him with unique insight into insurance and financial issues, and given him a strong understanding of the burden that taxes and regulations place on businesses and families.

As Floridas next CFO, I am committed to reduce the burden of government on small-business owners, fight fraud and waste that squander taxpayer dollars, and champion the entrepreneurial spirit that will grow the economy and create jobs, said Atwater.

In the meantime, Atwaters chief rival, Democratic nominee former Rep. Loranne Ausley, looked to tie her opponent to controversial spending practices which took place at the Republican Party of Florida.

"It's imperative that Senate President Jeff Atwater and the Republican Party of Florida come clean with Floridians by releasing the audit before the election," said Ausley on Tuesday. "The entire credit card scandal sheds light on the perks Republican leaders like Jeff Atwater enjoyed during some of the toughest budget years our state has ever faced. Besides raising our taxes, what exactly were Jeff Atwater and his Republican aides doing in Tallahassee? Floridians need someone to clean up the mess in Tallahassee, not cover it up."

Kevin Cate, a spokesman for Ausley, also went after Atwater on Tuesday.

I would be shocked if more than a handful of actual small-business owners were excited about Jeff Atwaters $2 billion tax hikes, his failed banking background, or his lavish spending on spending projects like the $48 million 'Tallahassee Taj Mahal' or the $110 million 'Prison to Nowhere' -- maybe thats why he was the very last statewide Republican candidate they endorsed? said Cate.