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Benson announces; Kottkamp fights back

Posted Oct 29, 2009 by William March

Updated Oct 29, 2009 at 02:57 PM

As Holly Benson made her expected announcement today that she’s running for attorney general, supporters of her Republican primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp are fighting back.

Or at least, someone who doesn’t like Benson is. Reporters today received a packet of negative information about Benson from an anonymous source.

Meanwhile, Kottkamp will attempt to defuse news about Benson’s announcement with an endorsement by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Announcing her candidacy today in her hometown of Pensacola, Benson said, “People are deeply troubled that government is even more out of touch, more out of control and is expanding its power, while abandoning the principles that make Florida a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Kottkamp responded with a campaign statement saying, “Political competition is the foundation of a successful and vibrant democracy. I salute Ms. Benson’s desire to serve and welcome her to this year-long political marathon. We served together in the legislature and I have always found her to be a nice and pleasant individual. I look forward to a positive issue-oriented primary campaign.”

He also scheduled a news conference for today at 3:30 in the Jacksonville office of the Fraternal Order of Police, presumably to announce an endorsement.

Meanwhile, political reporters statewide were receiving an email with no identification other than an email address, “ethicalpublicservant@rocketmail.com,” containing a list of alleged ethical violations committed by Benson while in the state Legislature and as a state official.

“That ain’t us,” said Rocky Pennington, Kottkamp’s campaign consultant. “If I was doing it, I’d put my name on it.”

Pennington said he has requested records from the state Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, both of which Benson formerly headed, “but I haven’t received anything yet.”