Peter Schorsch
The race for the Senate presidency has been settled for more than a month, but like the Japanese soldiers who kept fighting after the end of World War II, the battle between the Gaetz family and the Latvala clan continues.
The latest shot comes from Gaetz, who is quoted by the Panama City News Herald in a story about the titanic state Senate race developing between him and George Gainer. The Senate District 1 race has to date garnered more dollars than any state Senate race in Florida’s history.
A story in the Tampa Bay Times recently stated Latvala had recruited Gainer to run for the state Senate seat, but Gainer said that is not accurate, noting he was contemplating a run for the seat before he had ever spoken with Latvala.
Still, Gaetz said he is not surprised the Latvalas are contributing to Gainer’s campaign.
Here’s Gaetz’ money-quote:
“The Latvalas are most known in Tallahassee as the lead opponents to gun rights and the open-carry legislation I’m offering, so it’s not a surprise they’d be opposing my candidacy for the Senate.”
Indeed the Latvalas are the lead opponents to the anti-tourist open-carry legislation that Gaetz is sponsoring, but it’s silly of Gaetz to say that Jack and Chris are most known in the Florida Capitol for their opposition to Gaetz’ bill.
There are a hundred other qualities the Latvalas are known for in Tallahassee — not all of them positive — before someone thinks about their opposition to the open-carry legislation.
Gaetz’ quote is just an attempt to stir up his allies in the NRA.
