An energized and enthusiastic Democratic Club of The Villages met this morning, already casting an eye on the 2014 gubernatorial race.
Villager Steve Larson told the group they need to remember two things as they approach the 2014 election.
“Rick Scott is a crook,” Larson said. “And Florida can do better.”
He led the group through a detailed look at Gov. Scott’s tenure with Columbia HCA, his forced resignation as CEO and the hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and settlement costs the hospital consortium was forced to pay related to Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
Larson added that in 2010, Scott spent $75 million of his own money to fund his campaign to win the governor’s race.
“Why anyone would do that, I don’t know,” Larson said.
Karen Judd of the Sumter County Democratic Executive Committee told the group that Democrats are looking for candidates to take on U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, State Rep. Marlene O’Toole and to run for seats on the school board and county commission.
She pointed out that Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives stood together this past week in opposing the move to strip the Food Stamp program out of the Farm Bill. Nugent was among the Republicans voting in favor of the bill, which was passed by a narrow margin. The Food Stamp has been included in the Farm Bill since 1973.
Members of the party signed a “birthday card” for Nugent and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson in honor of Medicare which marks its 48th year later this month.
“We want to make sure they keep their hands off our Medicare,” said Villager Sue Azia who was assisting those wishing to sign the card.
Now 715 members strong, the Democratic Club of The Villages is expanding its social programming. Already supporting food pantries in the area, the club is now working to provide school uniforms for underprivileged students at Wildwood Elementary School.
You can learn more about the club at http://thevillagesdemocrats.com/
