A.G. Gancarski
State Senate candidate Rod Smith got a key endorsement from former Florida governor and U.S. senator Bob Graham Tuesday in the competitive race in Senate District 8.
Graham, motivated by environmental concerns, cited those as a key reason for backing Smith.
“I’m proud to support Rod Smith in his race for state Senate. He is the only candidate in this race who will fight to ban fracking in Florida, follow the will of the voters on land and water conservation, and make protecting the environment a top priority,” Graham said.
“In the many years I have known Rod Smith, he has always put his constituents first,” Graham added. “Now more than ever, we need more leaders like him in Tallahassee. I urge citizens in Alachua, Putnam, and Marion Counties to cast their votes for Rod Smith for State Senate.”
In response Rod Smith said, “I appreciate the support of Sen. Graham, who has been Florida’s biggest champion for protecting our water. I will fight to ban fracking in Florida and be a strong voice for the middle class.”
One of Smith’s attacks on his opponent, incumbent Keith Perry, in the big-dollar race has been on the Republican voting with his party on a bill in the state House that would have allowed fracking.
“In North Central Florida, our economy and way of life depend on safe water,” Smith said in a July ad. “My opponent Keith Perry voted to ignore local communities and let polluters pump toxic chemicals into the ground, right next to the water we depend on, and without disclosing the chemicals they’re using.”
