Democratic primary opponent calls on Deutch to resign state Senate seat
by Michael C. Bender | January 23rd, 2010
Graber
“Mr. Deutch cannot continue to hold his Senate seat in reserve while he tries to get a promotion,” Graber said in the statement. “It is unfair to everyone, except Mr. Deutch. It’s obvious that he cannot handle both jobs at the same time.”
Should Ted Deutch resign his Florida Senate seat?
- No (52%, 233 Votes)
- Yes (48%, 218 Votes)
Total Voters: 451
Loading ...Continue reading for the full press release.
Press Release from Ben Graber
Ben Graber, Democratic candidate for Congress, Fl-19 is demanding today that Senator Ted Deutch immediately resign from his Senate position.
It has become clear that Senator Deutch has not been fulfilling his obligations to the people of District 19. I have many times appeared at club, civic and social events alone. Mr. Deutch is always a no show, with staff saying he is in Tallahassee. It appears that those statements were untrue.
Recently Mr. Deutch missed a key vote on establishing an ethics committee in Broward to help clean up their corruption problem, it failed by one vote. The special transportation session in December was entirely avoided by Mr. Deutch. He has missed numerous votes while attending fund raisers. He has amassed over one million dollars in campaign contributions, much of it from people who do business with government.
The people of district 19 now have no congressional representation in Washington and no Florida Senate representation in Tallahassee as well. Many important issues in Florida have been unattended by Mr. Deutch. Staff attendance is not sufficient. A 3.3 billion dollar shortfall in the budget, unemployment at 12% and projections of a continued weak Florida economy until 2015 has been ignored by Mr. Deutch, as shown by his absence. The people of District 19 need representation during these difficult times when so many important decisions are being made.
Mr. Deutch cannot continue to hold his senate seat in reserve while he tries to get a promotion. It is unfair to everyone, except Mr. Deutch. It’s obvious that he cannot handle both jobs at the same time. I am calling for Mr. Deutch to resign from the Florida Senate today and allow proper representation to be available for the people of District 19.
Tags: Ben Graber, Ted Deutch
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January 23rd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
What a joke. Deutch is one of the most effective legislators in the state. Graber is playing politics and trying to piggyback on this non-story. Who’s writing these press releases? He says that Deutch is not fulfilling his obligations because he may not have attended a club or social event that Graber attended. Is it Deutch’s obligation to his constituents to attend the social events that Graber attends? I’ve personally seen Deutch at many, many events speaking to constituents in the last few months and I’ve never seen Graber. I think it’s Graber who’s trying to mislead people. First the fake polls, now this. Seems like he’s desperate.
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:52 pm
RPH: State Sen Deutch may be effective when he is present in tallahassee but he has not been there for many important committee meetings. He typically votes with all the other Democrats and without his presence and hence his vote, his district and constituents no longer has a voice. Ask Sen Nan Rich what she thinks about having one less Democrat vote in the Florida Senate this session.
In all likelihood, he will resign after he wins the primary and will take 10 weeks to fill the vacate senate seat.
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Ben Graber knows all about resigning because he resigned from the Democratic Party. He is not a Democrat. He left the party and now he lies about it. Why would anybody vote for someone who lies to the people.
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:33 pm
This story makes me laugh – in all of his speeches Mr Graber states that you can get two for one vote – he’ll become the Congressman & Ted will still be a Senator!
Now he wants him to resign?
This is just an attention getting devise on his part. I expect more to come before Feb 2nd.
I have every confidence that if any vote he would cast would make a difference Ted would make sure he were there to cast it. As it is, our legislature is completely owned by a corrupt Republican party. We need Fair Redistricting passed next Nov.
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Senator Deutch has been running for Congress since October, and all of a sudden Ben Graber thinks he should resign.
Welcome BACK to the Democratic Party, Dr. Graber. We’re glad to have you, but neither locally nor nationally (with your misleading Daily Kos posts) are Democrats impressed with your desperate attacks and lies.
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Graber, I agree he should step down and that put in the dummy that Klein and Wexler picked out the one who is working ran for judge but lost because her lobby hubby (Republican) didn’t buy anyone off that time. This time he will or are they going to let IRV SERVE?????
That would be GREAT! More criminals in Palm Beach County
Wexler=Deutch (dumb and dumber)
Aaronson= jailbird
Lorts or something: plain stupid
Irv: cornbeef guy
Poor County…the only thing they are serving is bs.
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Dr. Graber, there are plenty of other officals currently running for office, Gov. Crist, Rep. Rubio, Cong. Meek, why aren’t you asking for their resignation? don’t you think they are neglecting their duties too?
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Veronica –
You raise a very valid point about Crist and Meek; they should resign or take an unpaid leave of absence from their current jobs while they campaign for higher office. Rubio, however, is NOT in office currently. He left public office in early 2009, and resumed his law practice before deciding to run against Crist. Public servants who abandon the public trust only to glorify themselves further by seeking a higher office should be forced to do it on their own dime, not ours. Get Involved. Make History. Flip the House.
http://www.southflorida912.org
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:16 pm
What happened to good old fashioned journalism where both sides were represented? This article sounds more like a Graber commercial. Did the reporter call the Deutch camp for his side of the story? As a former reporter, I am amazed and saddened.
ellie lingner
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Dr Graber – do you realize if Ted Deutch resigns, there will be NO ONE representing this district? Is this what you want? I don’t think so. You can rest assured that Senator Deutch represents us well. If you lived in this district for more than the month you have been here, you might actually know something about our community and our great state senator.
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:09 pm
No one is representing this district. Deutch is not representing his district, he’s running for himself.
Handpicked by the carpetbagger, Wexler.
Deutch supported Obamacare which contained NO TORT REFORM, NO PORTABILITY, MEDICARE CUTS-SEVERE!
ObamaCare is/was crap and deutch goes with party. Easily manipulated.
Deutch WILL be a rubberstamper of everything the democrats. Another Obamaite.
We can’t afford another Wexler type in Washington…he’ll do the same TAX, TAX, TAX and SPEND, SPEND, SPEND…putting our children’s children in debt.
Vote out democrats!
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Congressman Wexler resigned and so we currently have no representation in Congress.
Senator Deutch is too busy raising a ridiculous amount of money so he can run for Congress, so we have no representation in the Senate.
Shouldnt we require that our elected officials either finish out their term or resign before running for another office so we are represented at all times?
We currently have NO representation at the state and federal level.
I would have to agree with Dr Graber. This is VERY IRRESPONSIBLE.
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Bill Graber is a complete liar to the entire democrat party. He has know idea what he is talking about for one because he resigned from his seat, and also if Deutch were to resign then there woulod be no one in the senate seat for our district I highly doubt thats what the moajority of the people want for our district, so honestly Graber no one is going to vote for you because you lied to the people and also because you are trying to “win” the campaign and quiet frankley you are messing with Deutch’s chances of winning by talking bad about him, and nobody likes anyone in politics who does that. So good luck Graber! Go Deutch!!!
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:01 pm
As a former Democrat-I have found that
the Dems better wake up and smell the
coffee. Stop taking it for granted that
they will be voted into office-whatever
office it might be. The things that
bother me about Ted Deutch is that
the boob Wexler supports him-nothing to
be proud about. Also, that he supports
Obamacare at the expense of the people.
Wake up Mr. Deutch-your first allegience
is to the people who voted you in and
don’t forget it or we’ll forget you when
the time comes. Mr. Graber get over yourself. If you have something to say-
say it, but stop the gossip and innuendo. Its very unbecoming!!!
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Deutch is a puppet for Wexler…everyone knows that. But it is that they can do it to him.
What is better they are putting in my favorite Rep….Sachs. She is just like Deutch too.
Both smart, both for the people.
I thank Aaronson and Deutch for supporting her for our next state senator.
Thank you Robert, Ron, Ted and Irv
YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:39 pm
This is an interesting idea. http://www.southfloridateaparty.org
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I laugh at these posts. There is no representation now… Deutch isn’t doing his job and is completely self-serving. If this is what he is doing now, then what will he do if elected? a big fat nothing….Graber is a hundred percent right…Deutch should resign. He’s just another Wexler puppet–complete sellout: price $1,000,000….
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I agree with Robert Watson – there is no more civil discourse in our politics. If one side wins the other side loses. There is no compromise or decency or ethics anymore. If we don’t clean up our act our whole system of government will fail.
Ted Deutch is a decent honorable man – the things being said about him bear no resemblance to the person I have come to know. Disagree with his position on the issues if you want to but please stop the slanderous statements.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Let’s see Deutch can’t be found in Tallahassee, can’t be found on the campaign trail, can’t be found at local official required meetings, but he has one million dollars. Me thinks he has spoken loud and clear as to where he has been. By the way…..how does one spend a million dollars by Feb 2nd?
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Didn’t you see Brewster’s Millions? You pay people off….it’s the American Way. So much for democracy…
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Deutch has been recognized by most groups- named legislator of the year 7 times. Our government system works like this and requires an election which requires fundraising. There is no other option.
Deutch is the most capable candidate and is in touch with Talahassee continually.
Look at his awards– he has no competition in the oponents:
AWARDS
American Cancer Society, National Distinguished Advocacy Award, 2009
Univeristy of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine Legislative Champion, 2009
American Jewish Congress Distinguished Civic Achievement Award, 2009
Florida Bar Family Law Section, Chair’s Award for Legislative Excellence, 2009
Florida Bar Equal Opportunities Law Section, Equal Opportunities in the Profession Award, 2009
Florida Hospital Association, Legislator of the Year, 2009
Private Care Association of Florida, Legislator of the Year, 2009
American Social Health Association, Legislator of the Year, 2008
Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award, 2008
FEA, Champion for Public Education, 2008
FACTE, Legislator of the Year, 2008
Palm Beach County League of Cities, Legislator of the Year, 2008
ORT America, Tikkun Olam Award, 2008
Healthy Florida Alliance, Legislator of the Year, 2008
American Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year, 2008, 2007
Florida AFL-CIO, Legislator of the Year, 2007
FEA, Friend of Education Award, 2007
Boca Delray Democratic Club, Person of the Year, 2007
Miami Herald, “Freshman Most Likely to Succeed”, 2007
Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, James and Marjorie Baer Leadership Award
South Florida Business Journal, Up and Comer’s Award Finalist
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Recipient
United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Cabinet
American Israeli Public Affairs Committee New Leadership Networkwend
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Hey Fred!!
You forgot one!! Florida Lawmaker that has missed the most committee meetings!
Does he get a plaque for his glory wall from the Post for that? Did you vote for a State Senator who promised to represent you in Tallahassee, then abandon you if a better job opportunity came along? You’ve elevated him to “Rock Star Status”, and you are ignoring the fact that he is currently being paid a salary with our tax dollars, to campaign for a higher paying job. I don’t know if you are an employer of any sort, but to pay someone to do a job at your business, and knowingly let them go on multiple job interviews all day while their work is ignored, seems quite dumb. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think so. Career politicians are not the answer!!
Get involved. Make history. Re-elect nobody. Flip the house.
http://www.southflorida912.org
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:35 pm
I find this “career politician” insult very ironic. Considering Deutch is in his first term, how exactly does that make him a career politician? And isn’t that exactly what EVERY candidate running for office is going to become when they are three years into their first term? Amazing how people are willing to turn anything into an attack. At least Deutch has proven he can be effective unlike Graber whose “healthcare reform” he touts was a total failure.
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:35 pm
I agree with Fred. That is why he should stay in the Senate.
He is good in the Senate but only when he is there.
I know his commerical says he was there but I guess they were lying there too huh?
Remember when Slosberg ask for a promotion we said no, Deutch no promotion for you either. We want someone who is not part of the system.
Wow they got to you fast.
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Deutch what happened to you? You stood up for us during the primary & now you are letting them use you like a puppet.
Every vote counts but what about all of us who think you should resign?
You should run for Congress, but please win and do not leave us with these nut jobs that pretend to be public servants.
January 24th, 2010 at 1:31 am
Wow! These poll results are even more telling then the recent Associate Press Poll Results for the District 19 Congressional Race.
Very interesting.
January 24th, 2010 at 8:14 am
And the numbers look surprisingly similar to those in the Associated Press Poll as well…
Very, very interesting.
January 24th, 2010 at 9:27 am
This is not about a poll. This is about Senator Deutch being a good State Senator and he should be doing the right thing and step down.
If it is about the people he would step down so we have a vote in the Senate and not the pick of the Wexler machine….really Irv Slosberg or dumb blonde..
January 24th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
“Recently Mr. Deutch missed a key vote on establishing an ethics committee in Broward to help clean up their corruption problem, it failed by one vote.”
As a resident of Broward, I don’t think that’s a minor thing, at all! Nor is opting out of meetings on the future of Tri-Rail, which almost got starved out of existance.
If Deutch is never there for us now, why would anyone think he’s going to be there for us in the future when his ambition monster strikes again and he decides to drop everything & campaign against Bill Nelson for the US Senate in 2012?
He wasn’t even there when I needed him to simply answer a question that fell squarely within his purview… and that was before he set his eyes on Wexler’s seat. He was NEVER in the office, just voicemail, and only ONCE did I get a live staffer, who promised to get me an answer and then never bothered to called back either.
I voted for Deutch once (he was better than that idiot Irv), but won’t ever again.
I’ve had ENOUGH of ambitious politicians that insist they deserve to have their cake and eat it too.
If anyone behaved like this in a normal job, like the rest of us have, they’d be fired.
January 24th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Discourse I agree is lacking but seriously, the guy may have done well in Tallahassee but if we are paying for any of these people to serve & they are not there that is wrong.
He has no right to miss meeting in Tallahassee to campaign. Campaign when you are not serving us. This I believe is worse than Wexler not living in the district for all this time when sad he was.
It is not just about honesty but working on our money. Yes he did great things but if he is not there where he is supposed to be and we support that…we are to blame as much as them.
For the Jayne lady it does not help you when put Obama in front.
No one will take you seriously or in a nonbias manner.
Get a clue
January 24th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SayfieReview.com and PostOnPolitics.com, Daniel Marco Mulieri. Daniel Marco Mulieri said: RT @SayfieReview: Post: Democratic primary opponent calls on Deutch to resign state Senate seat http://bit.ly/7naVZC #sayfie [...]
January 24th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I was at a meeting with Graber last night. About 75 seniors in the audience. He said that he holds politicians and elected officials accountable when they cheat the public. I asked him how he does that. He said by exposing them to the public in the press. Now I know what he means. He is a man of his word. Deutch and the others better watch out.
January 24th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
How come many politicians think they are not going to get caught? They are in the public eye. They are being watched. Money can’t get you out of everything. Deutch, if you don’t show up to vote and do your job, everyone will know. It’s on the record. How hard is it to show up in Tallahassee, press a button to vote, then hop on a plane to do a fund raiser or whatever it is you do with your time? There’s no excuse for that. That’s what you are getting paid for. Why don’t you use your million dollars to pay for your plane tickets? First class, maybe. You might as well.
January 24th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I can’t believe people are taking everything they read on face value. Having worked in Tallahassee for many years, let me set the record straight on a few things: committee meetings are one week a month, usually only tuesday to thursday, with three or four meetings a day. So to say he missed 16 meetings is really a few days. Second, no legislation is passed during those meetings. Only during the 60 day session beginning in March. Until January, all they do is hear presentations. And this “entire special session” referred to lasted 24 hours, and Deutch used a procedural motion to have his vote counted. Furthermore, this ethics vote Graber refers to was a Broward County Delegation meetings, not the legislature in which 13- yes half of the delegation- was not present. Let’s get some context to these accusations.
January 24th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
It’s amazing how much people want to make excuses for him. Your responsibilities come first. To miss a whole special session is not acceptable, as it is, the legislature is only a part time job in Florida. We expect our legislators to be there…this is clearly a conflict of interest. Whoever passed that law allowing politicians to keep one job while they run for another should be investigated as well. This sets a poor precedent and really shows where the politician’s priorities are. Ted should resign. he has disappointed everyone and is clearly a puppet. everything he talks about is talking about what other people are doing, how they are endorsing him, etc. what have you done ted? not much, since youre not even there. besides you’ve only been in office a couple of years, what makes you think you’re even qualified to go to congress? and why is everyone pushing so hard to get you in? perhaps because they already own you???? is that what the people want? Get out now Ted, before you completely lose yourself–oh wait, think it already happened…
January 24th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Formerstaffer,
Thank you for clarifying. Now, I really don’t understand why Deutch missed a meeting. One week a month? Tuesday through Thursday? Three or Four meetings a day? Are you joking? That’s not even part time work. That is purely shirking your responsibilities. Maybe I’ll run for office. I won’t show up, still get paid, and have “formerstaffers” making excuses for me. That’s better than unemployment pay.
January 24th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Actually Beverly, it is part time work. We have a part time legislature here in Florida, so in addition to being elected officials they also balance full time jobs, and many, campaigns. Did you not vote for either McCain or Obama because they missed Senate votes while running for President? Deutch has passed more significant legislation in three years than most Senators do in their entire 8 years. He voted in that special session, and that rail bill that saved south florida tri-rail probably would not have passed if he had not been in on the negotiations with the unions, leadership and DOT.
If you’re not going to vote for him because you want to vote for another candidate fine, but don’t blame this “revelation” on it. He has been running since October and this was never an issue until surprisingly a week before the primary when his opponent got desperate.
January 25th, 2010 at 12:04 am
First of all, I would like to say that I believe this Palm Beach Post poll is a total fraud. When I went to the site to vote, I was told I had already voted! Are they only counting every other NO vote? Ted Deutch is the most approachable and available elected official I have ever met! He shows up at most meetings of the Democratic Club, the DEC and many other events. NO ONE in public service has a 100 percent attendance record, that does not mean they are not doing a good job. Senator Deutch has done more for his constiuants during his short time in office than many other who have been around for years. I have every confidencs that he can do his job as our Senator while running for Congress. Let’s learn from the MA election, get out and vote! But, make sure you vote for Ted Deutch so that we can get someone into that congressional seat who gives a damn about US!!!
January 25th, 2010 at 6:28 am
the Palm Beach post put out the article about his absentees, not his opponent. Graber just calls it like he sees it, as he always does….it wasn’t an issue before, because no one knew about it, the price you pay for running for office.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:29 am
if you want someone who gives a damn about you, then you should be voting for Graber–you’ve also bought into the hype huh?
January 25th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Campaigning is not an excuse for an absence.”
–Senate Rules Chairman Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, who is drafting a memo warning his chamber that repeated absences will not be tolerated this year.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Graber should check his facts. As with his polls which didn’t exist, he should know that the resignation of Deutch would be detrimental to our district since no one would be appointed to fill his slot and a new Senator would not be elected until November. If he really cared about the constituents, he would want Deutch to remain in office as long as possible. He has actually said on occasions, that Deutch should stay in the Senate!
Deutch is still one of, if not, the most effective Senator and has missed minimal actual time. The absences mentioned were only for the special session (which was a one day session and an excused absence) and committee meetings. He continues to represent us fully and will do a superb job continuing to represent us in Congress.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Fred –
Missing an entire special session is not representing us!
He wasnt even responsible enough just to fly in to vote on our behalf. He has COMPLETELY neglected his duties as senator since he started campaigning.
TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE – ANY WAY YOU LOOK AT IT! YOU ARE LYING TO EVERYONE INCLUDING YOURSELF IF YOU THINK OTHERWISE.
If someone misses a few weeks of work so they can go out and try to find a better job, they would be FIRED. He’s still getting paid by our tax dollars for no reason at all.
He has made it clear this is too much for him to handle. The noble thing to do is to resign or at least give us our money back since he started campaigning.
We now have no one representing us in Congress and no one representing us in Tallahassee.
There’s no way he is ready to go to Congress. He cant even handle his Senate job.
HE IS NOT READY. HE IS CLEARLY YOUNG & INEXPERIENCED. I JUST CAN NOT VOTE FOR DEUTCH. PERIOD.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Don’t vote on things and then you can’t be blamed for the outcome. It worked for our president so why not for Deutch. Many politicains do this every day. They don’t even qualify for part time workers if you actually counted the time working for the people.
January 25th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Absence is another way of avoiding controversial votes. It is highly frowned upon. The main responsibility of a representative or senator is to cast that vote. It is also the law.The absence of a vote can swing an issue either way and favor one citizen over another. This is a huge breach of confidence. To try and down play these absences is criminal.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Formerstaff,
Of course I know the Florida legislature is part time. But one week a month is hardly part time. Whether it is part time or full time you should be giving 100% of your effort. Part time does not mean part time effort. If Mr. Deutch spent as much time in the Senate as you did on your blogs, then maybe I would give him the benefit of the doubt.
January 26th, 2010 at 4:24 am
The article is simply about Deutch showing up to work. This is not slander or dirty politics..this is about his record for showing up. He also has a record of good things he has done. He also is working with those I am sure has a record. 1 out of 3 is not bad.