By Kyle LoJacono
While voters can pick Jim Norman on the ballot for state Senator, a vote for him may actually be a vote for someone else.
Norman was declared ineligible for Florida Senate’s District 12 election after a Tallahassee judge ruled his failure to disclose an Arkansas house as an asset disqualifies him.
Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford ruled the Hillsborough County commissioner “failed to substantially comply with the full and public disclosure requirements Article II, Section 8, Florida Constitution.”
According to the lawsuit, the $435,000 home was paid for with $500,000 given by the now-deceased political activist Ralph Hughes to Norman’s wife, Mearline. Norman told the judge he had no knowledge of the deal, an explanation the judge did not accept. Norman is expected to appeal the decision this week.
Despite the ruling, Norman’s name will be on all Election Day, early voting and absentee ballots even if he loses the appeal. That is because all the Election Day ballots had to be printed about two weeks ago, according to Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley. Also, about 28,000 absentee ballots have already been mailed and the county’s election supervisor’s lawyer successfully argued it would be too confusing and costly to reprint them all.
“What will happen is a vote for Norman will be for whomever the Republican candidate turns out being,” Corley said. “If he wins the appeal that is likely coming, the votes would obviously be for him and if the Republican Party of Florida has to replace him, then the vote would go to that new candidate. Without a doubt Norman’s name will be on the ballot.”
Corley said there is precedent for such a move. In 2006 Republican Ken Littlefield ran for Florida House of Representatives’ District 61 seat, but pulled out of the election for another position. Will Weatherford replaced him as the Republican candidate for the spot and won despite Littlefield’s name being on the ballot instead of his.
Weatherford won re-election in 2008 and is again the Republican candidate for the same seat this year.
Corley said if Norman loses an appeal, there would be a sign in the more than 1,000 private voting booths in state Senate District 12’s 57 precincts for early voting and on Election Day stating a vote for him will be for the Republican replacement. All absentee ballots printed from then on will also include the note unless he wins an appeal.
Corley said that notice would not be placed until the decision is final. Corley said he was still waiting for that decision at press time.
The case against Norman was brought by current Florida Rep. Kevin Ambler of Lutz. Ambler lost the primary for the Senate seat by 12 percentage points.
Ambler sued Norman on the grounds that he was an ineligible candidate for not disclosing the Arkansas house, but asked Fulford to make him the replacement. Fulford did not make him the replacement. Ambler’s attorney, Mark Herron, filed a motion Oct. 18 asking for Ambler’s name to appear on the ballot.
Neither Ambler nor Norman could be reached for comment on the ruling.
In her ruling, Fulford said it was difficult to make a ruling that removed someone selected by the electorate in a primary race, but said the law is clear and Norman is not eligible. She also stated it is unfortunate the ruling came close to early voting and Election Day.
State Senate District 12 includes much of north Hillsborough, including Lutz and Odessa, and most of Pasco, including all or parts of Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Saint Leo, San Antonio and Grower’s Corner. Corley said he is also a voter in the district.
“In this case people can choose between two write-in candidates or the Republican candidate,” Corley said. “It isn’t the ideal situation and we want everyone to understand what they are voting for if they select Mr. Norman.”
Early voting began Oct. 18 in both Hillsborough and Pasco and Election Day is Nov. 2.
