CLEARWATER -- Even though some members fear retaliation by the governor, the Pinellas County Commission votes to sue the state using taxpayer money over the new election law.
It includes a provision that only applies to Pinellas County, putting District 5 up for election in 2022 instead of 2024, meaning commissioner Karen Seel, a Republican, would have to run to keep her seat two years early. Some outlets have reported that the bill favors Chris Latvala, a state representative who is leaving this year due to term limits. The move would enable him to run this year instead of waiting a couple of years.
Commissioners Kathleen Peters, a Republican, and Pat Gerard, a Democrat, expressed concern about the possibility of the governor using his veto pen against any local bills if Pinellas sued the state. "It's a huge risk for any local appropriation that we want in the future, as long as he's our governor," Gerard said. Commissioner Janet Long, a Democrat, said the county had to stand up and defend itself against preemption."This is about right and wrong and a principle. A bully is a bully is a bully," Long said.
Seel herself abstained on the vote, calling the controversy "sad." The vote was 4-2, with Peters and Republican Dave Eggers voting no.
Latvala sent out a tweet after hearing about the plans to sue:
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