State Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, announced a round of endorsements today from Jacksonville-area Democrats. Gelber is running against fellow Sen. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres for the Democratic nomination in the attorney general’s race. The contest, so far, is the highest profile statewide primary for Florida Democrats.

Endorsing Gelber today were state Reps. Audrey Gibson and Mia Jones; Jacksonville City Council members Glorious Johnson and John Crescimbeni; St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles; and former House Democratic Leader Doug Wiles.

“After learning about Dan’s background and his passion to bring change to Florida, I know he is the perfect choice to serve as our next Attorney General. His near decade of service as a federal prosecutor and his time in the Florida Legislature make him well suited to meet the challenges of today with thoughtful solutions,” Johnson said.

Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden has annoucned he’ll back state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, for Florida attorney general. Aronberg is running against fellow Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach for the Democratic nomination.

“There is a reason so many sheriffs throughout the state are coming out in support of Dave Aronberg,” Sheriff Whidden said. “He not only has experience as an assistant attorney general but also has a proven record of sponsoring and securing the passage of laws that make all Floridians safer. He is custom made for this job.”

Bernard

Bernard is hoping to outlast Riviera Beach Councilman Cedrick Thomas in the Aug. 25 election to replace Taylor, D-West Palm Beach, in the state House. Taylor was recently appointed to replace Greene on the Palm Beach County Commission.

From Bernard:

“I am honored to have the trust and support of two distinguished veteran lawmakers, both of whom previously represented District 84 in the Florida Legislature. Former State Representative Priscilla Taylor was known as someone who fought hard for the residents of the district. I realize I have some very big shoes to fill.”

Sounds like Democrats will have a primary to match the Republican duel in Senate District 27, a district that stretches over five counties from Palm Beach to Lee and Charlotte on the state’s west coast currently represented by Democrat Dave Aronberg of Greenacres.

Burkert

On the Republican side, Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto and former state Rep. Sharon Merchant of Palm Beach Gardens have both opened up campaigns.

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State Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, told supporters today that he collected $173,000 for his primary battle with fellow state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach. Gelber announced earlier this week that he collected $150,000.

The two Democrats are squaring off in the most closely watched Democratic statewide primary so far in the 2010 election cycle. Their second quarter campaign reports — which are due today — give a indicate that this race is still pretty close. In other words, neither candidate buried the other in money, so both have pretty legitimate claims for staying in the race.

And why that’s good news for the two attorneys, it’s a concern for party leaders, who don’t want to risk a bloody primary - especially when no Democratic candidate has stepped forward in the state CFO race…

Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber announced support today from five of his former House colleagues in the politically crucial Tampa area.

The five House Democrats — Daryl Rouson, Janet Long, Michael Scionti, Bill Heller and Betty Reed — all served under Gelber when he was House Democratic Leader in 2007-08.

Gelber, of Miami Beach, is competing against Dave Aronberg of Greenacres for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.

Gelber

Gelber and Aronberg are competing for the Democratic Party nomination to run for state attorney general, one of three spots in the Florida Cabinet.

From Castor: “I know what it takes to be an effective member of the Florida Cabinet, and Dan has the experience necessary to hit the ground running from day one in Tallahassee. For as long as I’ve known Dan, he has been one of the most effective voices for the issues we care about. His passion to stand up for change is what we desperately need in Tallahassee.”

Read Castor’s endorsement here.

State Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, picked up an endorsement this morning from Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler. Gelber and fellow Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, are competing in a primary for their party’s attorney general nomination.

Seiler and Gelber were close friends during their time together in the Florida House. Seiler said he prefers to stay out of primaries, but felt compelled to make this endorsement. “We need to make sure that Alex Sink has the right person sitting next to her on the Florida Cabinet,” Seiler wrote in his endorsement, which you can read here.

Gelber’s backers have also been excited about the endorsement last week from state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. They point out that Joyner is from the politically crucial I-4 corridor, she’s a long-time civil rights activist and is also the first state senator to pick sides in the battle between the two members of that chamber.

Read Joyner’s endorsement here.

State Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, announced his candidacy today for state attorney general. Watch his announcement above.

The announcement sets up a primary with Palm Beach County’s Dave Aronberg, who filed his paperwork last week.

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