It was just last week that Democrat Eduardo Ed Jany faced questions about holes in his resume--and on Tuesday, he dropped out of the congressional race against U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla.
Jany, 49, stated a work conflict as the reason behind his abrupt departure from the race.
It is with deep regret that I announce my withdrawal from the race for U.S. representative in the 13th District, said Jany in a statement. In my professional capacity, I am responsible for coordinating some of the command and control for security at the World Cup in Brazil this year, something I committed to doing some time ago. I wrongly assumed that I could maintain my professional work requirements while running for office, just as I was able to work full-time as a police officer while pursuing a full-time education and balancing my military service in the past. Unfortunately, the political process does not allow for me to continue my professional work, and I cannot afford to support my family while campaigning without an income.
Jany entered the race at the last minute -- after Democrats, amid mounting rancor, strong-armed a prominent African-American minister, Manuel Sykes, to stay out of the race.
Jany came onto the scene to challenge Jolly and seemed to bring credentials along with him that would have Jolly shaking in his boots -- but a closer look at the Marine and former cops resume found several problems -- including his failure to indicate that he never finished his degree at the University of Minnesota.
He also claimed on his resume that he has a degree from Madison University. But in a weekend story, the Tampa Bay Times exposed Madison as a diploma mill -- no campus, no classes -- and was listed on the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation's "nonapproved entities" list.
On top of Janys resume issues, he doesnt even live in Pinellas County, and would have appeared on the November ballot as a "no party affiliation" candidate. Jany was previously a Republican, but switched to the Democratic Party in October because he said he was frustrated with the government shutdown.
Florida law says candidates cant run for a party nomination unless theyve been a member of the party for a year.
That didnt seem to bother Democrats, however, because several of the partys big names threw their support behind Jany. The Democratic Congressional Committee didnt seem fazed by Janys residency or his official lack of a party affiliation.
An American hero, Col. Janys service, independence and proven ability to bring people together to get results is exactly whats missing from the broken politics of Washington, said DCCC chair Steve Israel. Democrats are proud to support Col. Jany and confident he will run an aggressive, successful campaign.
Even former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who ran (and lost) against Jolly, said Jany was the man for the job.
"I look forward to supporting Col. Jany's campaign and I urge every Pinellas resident who is fed up with the gridlock in Washington to join me in supporting the colonel, so we can send a Marine to clean up Congress," said Sink in an email to supporters.
But many are calling Janys quitting an embarrassment for the DCCC, including the National Republican Congressional Committee, which calls it "an epic failure."
Words cannot describe what an epic failure this congressional race has become for the DCCC and Florida Democrats," said Katie Prill, NRCC spokeswoman. "After a devastating loss and wasting millions in the special election, one thing remains very clear: President Obamas toxic agenda has cost the DCCC another seat that they couldnt afford to lose.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen atAllison@sunshinestatenews.comor follow her on Twitter at @AllisonNielsen.
