It looks like Democrat Lauren Book's virtually clear path to a state Senate seat in 2016 might be made even smoother Tuesday when Fort Lauderdale commissioners pass a resolution giving her her own boulevard in Broward's county seat.
OK, Book is running in Hollywood, not Fort Lauderdale. But state legislators who approved naming the stretch of U.S. 1 between Broward and Sunrise Boulevards didn't see a problem. Their decision was in recognition of her work with Lauren's Kids, the organization that educates adults and children about sexual abuse. And lawmakers reckoned anywhere Book goes on her annual statewide "Walk in My Shoes" trek between Key West and Tallahassee is fair game for a Book road renaming.
Carrie Mason of Fort Lauderdale, a Republican observer of local politics in Broward County, told Sunshine State News that Tuesday's commission vote creating Lauren F. Book Boulevard is a slam dunk.
"It's going to be one of those honorary designations that usually go to people with a lifetime of local accomplishment who died," Mason said.
"Book is 29," she said.
Signs with Book's name on them already are planned for the U.S. 1 median at Sunrise Boulevard for southbound traffic and at Northeast Second Street for northbound traffic. A Sun-Sentinel story Wednesday says the signs aren't campaign signs -- "they'll be a gift from dad."
Book's dad, of course, is lobbyist Ron Book. The paper says he sought the designation as a surprise for his daughter, who has "really become a symbol for what victims can become" in moving forward with their lives.
Starting at age 11, Lauren Book survived six years of sexual abuse by her nanny.
Ron Book likes the honorary road site. He likes that the stretch of road is close to the Nancy J. Cotterman Center for sexual assault treatment where his daughter received counseling and care.
Is it an election publicity stunt? Book told the Sun-Sentinel he "started seeking the designation during last year's legislative session, before his daughter became a candidate for political office."
Lauren Book raised about $355,000 during her first month formally running for Sen. Eleanor Sobel’s Senate District 33 seat. Coupled with $705,000 raised by a political committee she leads, Book was approaching $1.1 million at the end of September.
Davie Democrat Emmanuel Blimie filed to run against Book on Sept. 16, but without money or support he is lost in the rush of Book's well-subscribed and overflowing campaign express -- a train that includes DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
"One of the reasons I entered the Senate race was to give the constituent a choice instead of forcing one down their throat," said Blimie in an email to SSN. "I fought for them as a graduate fellow while at Nova S.E University on the Obama for America campaign -- also on Charlie Crist's campaign. I fought for the legalization of marijuana and for Obamacare. At times, I influenced voters to vote for Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Bill Nelson.
"It saddens me that the media ignore the alternative and zoom out on my opponent ..."
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
