It’s been less than 24 hours since Republican Sen. Paula Dockery filed her papers to challenge Attorney General Bill McCollum in the gubernatorial primary, but the fireworks have already begun.

The state Republican Party blasted out an email today on McCollum’s behalf reiterating the firm support he has from influential Republicans. Meanwhile, Marion Hammer, past president of the National Rifle Association of Florida who lobbies for the gun group in Tallahassee, heartily endorsed Dockery.

“Sen. Dockery’s commitment and dedication to the Second Amendment and strong record of support is unequaled in this race,” Hammer said in an email re-circulated by Dockery’s fledgling campaign.

Dockery also released a statement of her own, in response to the RPOF email. Here’s an excerpt from Dockery’s retort (update: see RPOF response to Dockery here):

“Just today, the controversial and embattled head of Florida’s Republican Party told the Orlando Sentinel that the state party would spend no money to help my opponent in the gubernatorial primary.

“Hours later, he used the party’s resources to send out an email of support for my opponent, Attorney General Bill McCollum.

“This is exactly the kind of double-speak that, under Greer’s leadership, has disenfranchised grassroots Republicans from the state party.

“Party bosses shouldn’t tell the people what to do. That didn’t work for the Politburo and it won’t work for the Republican Party of Florida.

“Rather than work against fellow Republicans, the party should trust voters to make up their own minds. The so-called ‘party elders’ need to understand that the winds of change are blowing.

“The conservative-leaning editorial board of The Tampa Tribune said it best today in noting that ‘the competition will be good for the Republican rank and file.’”

 

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