The switching of parties is a problem for a local Democrat like Robbie Hardingham. There are those on the progressive left who hide out as Republicans to hopefully influence an election toward a center left Republican candidate. Republicans have amassed a 1.5 million voter registration lead over Democrats since DeSantis won in 2018 over Andrew Gillum by less than 30,000 votes. In counties like Indian River, Democrats have turned to switching parties to swing any partially preferred choice for office.
Clickable Banner Advertisement:
Locally, the big switch happened last cycle for Eric Flowers’ reelection bid in 2024. Democrats knew the Independent Deborah Cooney, did not stand a chance against any of the three Republicans: Flowers, Milo Thornton, and Keith Touchberry. It was reported that over 1200 local voters switched from Democrat and NPA to Republican to vote in the 2024 primary. Flowers won by about that margin mail-in votes, a method preferred by Democrats. Yet Flowers had fewer vote totals than either of the losing school board members in that same election.
Some local Democrats are actually having a hard time in their consideration of making the switch and voting for Republicans. Others, who are considering switching, are asking questions on who to vote for in the Republican primary for governor. It is a laughable display of public political infidelity.
Prominent clubs and organizations promoted by the Democrats of Indian River have also told people to abandon ship and join the Republicans to get a candidate, who they could tolerate, across the finish line. Take this little reminder from the LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Treasure Coast. They posted a huge Facebook announcement to engage in the great switch. These statements go against party loyalty oaths of membership and sponsored organizations.
Vero Beach City Council member Linda Moore is currently registered as a Republican. She wrote on Facebook, “Make sure your voices are heard,” above a crosspost of former School Board member and current Democrat, Mara Schiff. On July 15, Schiff posted on Vero Beach Neighborhood a long-winded plea for people to switch. She wrote, “This is not about your political beliefs for or against the values of a particular party.”
Some people in the thread said they found that statement confusing. What it really boils down to for these prominent Democrats is that Jennifer Pippin has become the front runner for the County Commission District 2 seat. “The most important and hotly contested race is the County Commission District 2 race where 3 Republicans are competing for who will go forward against the lone Democrat in the November general election,” said Schiff.
She declared, “Republicans can vote in the most important primary race this year, and all other voices are effectively silenced,” adding, “If you want a voice for or against a particular candidate in this race, you must be a registered Republican.”
The local online mob that has fought against Pippin’s strong views on parental rights is now led by Larry Reisman of the TC Palm, after he inaccurately portrayed her professional medical experience and called for her disqualification in his weekend column.
Clickable Banner Advertisement:
Monday was also the last day for the Democrats to abandon their candidate and jump to the Republicans to vote for their favorite Republican, Bob McPartlan. It is no secret they are not necessarily gravitating toward Robert Hardingham and there is a serious split among prominent Democrats. Hardingham often states that he will be facing Pippin in the general election.
Yet, former school board candidate Cindy Gibbs, who ran against Jackie Rosario in 2022 and is a prominent voice within the Democrats, hopes that is not true. She has thoroughly endorsed Bob McPartlan. In a Facebook post, Gibbs calls him the “best candidate for Indian River County” and then provides a link to change party affiliation to vote for McPartlan in the primary on August 18.
McPartlan is a career politician and government worker in the Department of Children and Families. He stated Saturday at the Republican BBQ that because Flescher is retiring, the county is “losing a lot of institutional knowledge” in the district 2 seat. He believes he is the candidate who knows institutionally best how the gourmet government sausage is made.
Hardingham is not a career politician but a new voice touting progressive ideas. Yet, like Hardingham, McPartlan does not like the current property tax amendment either. Does that mean they both prefer the continued natural course of institutional revenue increases?
Hardingham called the Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Tax ballot proposal “terrible” in a June 28 Facebook post. McPartlan claimed about the increased exemptions, “I don’t know how we are going to do it. I pray to God to see how we are going to make up the difference.”
Whether McPartlan or Hardingham, it sounds like both of them want more revenue for their ideas. McPartlan is for fully expanding the funding to NGO non-profits through the Children’s Services Advisory Council (CSAC), once calling for a new taxing district to fund a myriad of contracted non-profit programs.
His CSAC notoriety possibly induced some of the The Learning Alliance brass to donate to his campaign. TLA, who pays for 27 positions in the school district of Indian River County, has received over $3 million in Indian River County general fund property tax revenues. Former TLA chairman Ray Oglethorpe gave a $1000 maximum contribution. Board member Susan Oglesby gave $1000, along with her husband Marion Oglesby, who did the same. Board member Dorothy Sprague gave McPartlan’s campaign $750. Former board member Donald Riefler, who has over $1 million invested in TLA, according to their 2024-2025 financial report, also gave $1000.
McPartlan also is for development since he is at the forefront of Sebastian’s annexation schemes. Many developers, contractors, and the Local Home Builders PAC have donated to McPartlan. McPartlan has also dumped in $7000 of his own money, which puts him in first place for funding by $332 over Pippin. McPartlan has raised $30,547 and Pippin has raised $30,125 from many more donors while only self-funding just over $1500.
Hardingham has raised only $2061 in cash. The lack of fundraising demonstrates an unwillingness by Democrats to believe in his candidacy. He says as much in a video on his campaign Facebook page. He requests, “Send me $20 on my website so I can catch up with these people you are scared I can’t compete with.”
Policy wise, Hardingham calls for fiscal responsibility by demanding transparency updates. Yet, on his campaign page, he has a litany of government spending measures, including affordable housing, education programs, infrastructure and better mobility for children, a whole-of-government proposal for a Gifford investment initiative, and funding for a county shelter, mental health, and major homelessness initiatives.
No wonder Florida Democrats go through these 2-year migration patterns. Well, many of them do. However, Gibbs and Schiff have yet to make the switch, according to voter registration records. If their switch paperwork did get in on time, who will these Democrats choose for governor?
Clickable Banner Advertisement:
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.