Former Deputy Attorney General George Sheldon announced Monday he will run as a Democrat to challenge Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2014.
This marks Sheldons third bid for state office. Despite serving as then-Attorney General Bob Butterworths deputy, Sheldon came in a distant third behind Buddy Dyer and Scott Maddox when he ran for the Democratic attorney general nomination in 2002. In 2000, Sheldon lost to Charlie Crist, then a Republican, to be state education commissioner.
Despite losing to Crist, Sheldon served his former rival as Department of Children and Families (DCF) secretary. Sheldon also considered running for governor in 2010 with no party affiliation. More recently, Sheldon served in the Obama administration in the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Sheldon has been very critical of Bondi who supported Floridas constitutional challenge to President Barack Obamas federal health-care law. He also served as a legislative aide to Reubin Askew before he was elected governor and served eight years in the Florida House.
This past Friday I officially resigned as assistant secretary for the United States Department of Health and Human Services and today I am announcing my candidacy for attorney general for Florida, Sheldon declared in a statement released Monday. As deputy attorney general for Bob Butterworth, I know the potential that office holds for protecting our families and taking on anyone or any corporation that would threaten us.
Sheldon jabbed Bondi on Monday as he entered the race. Taking on predatory lenders, human traffickers, and those who engage in deceptive practices is the job of the attorney general not working full-time trying to deny health insurance to children and anyone with pre-existing conditions, Sheldon insisted before taking off the gloves. This race is about character. Who has the experience and character to use the office of attorney general for general good rather than as a personal, political, partisan platform."
Pointing to his credentials, Sheldon added, Im proud that children and families have been in my job title for almost a decade and that protecting has been a job description.
Sheldon closed with a final attack on Bondi. It is time to restore integrity in the attorney general office, Sheldon insisted. Together we can do it. I ask for your vote, your help, your time and your prayers. Together we can restore character to the office of attorney general.
So far in the 2014 campaign cycle, Bondi, who entered the race on July 1, has raised almost $495,000 and relied on almost $220,000 through in-kind donations.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
