Joe Henderson
Since Susan Valdes entered the race for the HD 62 seat being vacated by House Minority Leader Janet Cruz, well, let’s just say the campaign hasn’t exactly been a well-oiled machine.
The decision Monday by Cruz, a longtime friend, to rescind her endorsement of Valdes over the issue of charter school money might raise a few more eyebrows in a race where she was the instant front-runner the moment she decided to run.
Cruz, who is challenging Republican Dana Young for SD 18, shored up a potential vulnerability to her campaign by distancing herself from any association with charter schools.
“At a time when we’re learning Hillsborough schools have broken ACs, leaky roofs and lead in their pipes, I must put the needs of our students, parents and teachers first. I stand with candidates who, like me, put our public schools first over for-profit private education corps,” she tweeted.
It’s bare-knuckles politics for Cruz and a potential problem for Valdes.
Valdes is popular in that district, though, well-known as a member of the Hillsborough County School Board since 2004. It was Valdes, in her role as chairwoman of the Board, who offered the motion that led to the firing of controversial Superintendent MaryEllen Elia in 2015.
Elia’s supporters vowed revenge at the ballot box, but Valdes was re-elected in 2016 and had two years to go on her term when she surprised many by declaring her candidacy for Cruz’s seat.
There were problems right off the bat.
Valdes had to submit an irrevocable letter of resignation from the School Board before she could campaign for the State House. Opponent Mike Alvarez complained Valdes missed the filing deadline because the notice wasn’t submitted to the Supervisor of Elections until 2 ½ hours after the close of business on June 15.
It was ruled that Valdes had complied because she had sent the letter before midnight.
Recently, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa sent out a sharply worded rebuke about Valdes, complaining a campaign mailer implied she was endorsing Valdes.
She is not.
She is solidly in Alvarez’s corner.
“I am disappointed that the latest communication from Susan Valdes is inconsistent with Florida law and implies my endorsement of her campaign,” Castor said. “It is imperative that candidates follow the law to ensure fairness and transparency. Florida law leaves no room for doubt or confusion — it is unlawful to represent that you have a person’s support unless you have their permission in writing.
“Let me be clear, the candidate in this race who has my endorsement and support is Mike Alvarez. If you support public schools, if you share our Democratic values, and if you want honesty from your elected officials, vote for Mike Alvarez,”
Valdes also was caught on video dodging a question about whether she would accept money from charter schools — a major issue for Democrats, who have fought Republican efforts to funnel more public money to the for-profit schools.
She later put out a news release saying she wouldn’t accept charter money, except Cruz is saying that’s exactly what she did. A recent mailer supporting her was paid for by the Florida Federation for Children, which is affiliated with the charter industry.
With the primary just a week away, will any of this matter?
Valdes has high name recognition in her district and still has the backing of the well-read La Gaceta newspaper, which said, “Valdes also has heart. She loves the district and its people. She will be a strong and vocal advocate for the poor and the powerless.”
The Tampa Bay Times also endorsed Valdes. Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez was an early supporter.
He told me he is sticking with Valdes.
“My loyalty is for Susan and not against Mike Alvarez,” he said. “But Susan is a friend, it’s my district, it’s where I love, and my word is my bond. I’m not going to change.”
She has been working hard, meeting with local groups and trying to shore up support from the school district she helped lead.
But the rift with Cruz is a huge X-factor when Susan Valdes should be projecting what she plans to do if elected. This is not a time any candidate wants to be playing defense.
