WEST PALM BEACH — President Obama’s visit to Coral Gables later today to raise money for Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein underscores the high partisan stakes in the congressional District 22 race.

But Klein, facing a tough challenge from Republican Allen West, sought to emphasize his bipartisan appeal this morning by appearing with two elected Republicans — Palm Beach Mayor Jack McDonald and Riviera Beach Council Chairwoman Dawn Pardo — who are endorsing him. Also backing Klein at the city waterfront was David Brady, the Republican who got 23.3 percent in the Aug. 24 primary against West.

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PALM BEACH — Carole Crist, who has kept a low public profile since marrying Gov. Charlie Crist in December, was here this afternoon for a lunch to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

About a dozen people attended the event at the Brazilian Court hotel, including Palm Beach Mayor Jack McDonald and Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer. It was part of a national awareness effort by the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund using governors, first ladies, lieutenant governors and state health secretaries across the U.S.

Carole Crist noted in brief remarks to the audience that ovarian cancer lacks a method of early detection akin to a mammogram for breast cancer.

“We need to change this. This is a major women’s health issue,” she said.

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Circuit Judge David Crow’s Monday ruling that upheld Palm Beach Mayor Jack McDonald’s one-vote victory in a February runoff doesn’t end the legal wrangling over how absentee ballots should be counted.

Crow even says so.

“This court recognizes that this decision will not be the final word in this dispute,” he writes near the beginning of his 16-page opinion.

Indeed, the attorney for McDonald challenger Gerry Goldsmith says he plans to appeal.

Read about it here.