Trial Lawyers Rise From The Swamps In Florida
September 8, 2009
A gang of Florida trial lawyers has risen from the swamps and are wielding their wallets to influence a state Senate primary, turning the campaign into a sleaze pit in the process. According to the Jacksonville Observer, at least three separate trial lawyer-financed groups are targeting former House Speaker John Thrasher, who is vying for the Republican nomination to Florida’s District 8 Senate seat.
Stop Tax Waste, Inc. (whose financing comes in part from trial lawyers); Conservative Citizens for Justice (led by the past president of the state trial lawyers association); and the Florida Justice Association (the new name of the trial lawyers lobby) have all launched TV ad campaigns to slime Thrasher and ensure the outcome of the race suits their preferences. It’s interesting that none of the front groups bankrolling the ads mention the word “lawyers” much less “trial lawyers.” I guess they figure their profession has become so radioactive even the mere mention of their name might boomerang on their candidate of choice.
Too bad Florida voters can’t sue them for fraud because that is exactly what they are committing in this campaign.
Thrasher is a devoted advocate for legal reform and worked closely with former governor Jeb Bush to pass needed reforms during his tenure as speaker.
Trial lawyers have long memories and intend to destroy the career of an excellent public servant. Just like the destroy the reputations of honest play-by-the-rules small businesses. It’s a shame, but that’s politics today.
Posted by Dan Pero in the categories: Florida, Trial Lawyers
One Response to “Trial Lawyers Rise From The Swamps In Florida”
[...] a front group called Conservative Citizens for Justice to shield their identities, as I reported in my 9/8 post. Then, after Thrasher won the September 15 primary, the trial lawyers association tried to hush [...]