Jacob Ogles
Two Florida Democrats sued independent Bernie Sanders, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, in an effort to disqualify him from the state’s March 17 primary.
Frank Bach and George Brown, both Democrats registered in Florida, argue state law precludes a candidate not registered as a Democrat in the Sunshine State from running in the primary.
“Defendant Sanders is clearly an Independent, and is clearly not a Democrat, by his own definitions,” the lawsuit alleges. “His current ‘day job’ is as a United States Senator and he has consistently, proudly asserted his service in that role as Independent.”
The pair is represented by former Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers, Bach’s wife, according to Politico.
The Sanders campaign waved off the legal action.
“We’re aware of the spurious complaint and it will not affect us,” said Sanders Communications Director Mike Casca.
“Bernie will be on the ballot in Florida.”
The lawsuit was filed in Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit, and builds its case on Florida statute.
Sanders has caucused with Senate Democrats since joining the chamber in 2007, and before that caucused with Democrats in the House. But he ran as an independent in Vermont for his Senate and House terms.
And the plaintiffs point to Federal Election Commission records showing Sanders is still running for Senate in 2024 as an independent.
Registered voters in Vermont do not register with a party.
But Bach and Brown contend that Sanders consistently resisting calls to declare himself a Democrat shows he cannot qualify as a candidate in a Florida Democratic primary.
The voters brought suit against Sanders, the Florida Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee and Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee.
The Florida Democratic Party said the suit should not be taken seriously.
“The lawsuit is ridiculous. The Florida Democratic Party Executive Committee voted unanimously to place Senator Sanders on the Florida ballot,” Executive Director Juan Penalosa said. “Votes cast for the Senator are valid and must be counted.”
The primary results will determine how 219 pledged delegates from Florida vote at the Democratic National Convention. The state also has 29 super-delegates.
In Florida, the parties have discretion over who qualifies as a candidate in the state’s Presidential Preference Primary.
The state party in December submitted its list of qualified candidates for the Democratic Presidential Preference Party. That list includes several candidates who have since withdrawn from the race. Floridians who don’t register as Democrats can’t vote in the election.
But Bach and Brown argue Sanders should never have been included, and Lee never should have certified him as a candidate
“Florida law is a closed primary,” the suit states. “Those not registered as a member of a particular party are simply not allowed to vote in a primary for that party.”
The plaintiffs say nothing precludes Sanders from running for President in Florida as an independent but he should not be eligible for any Florida delegates in his pursuit of the Democratic nomination for President.
Therefore, they say Lee should not be allowed to count any votes cast for Sanders in the March 17 election, and the state party subsequently should not be allowed to award any delegates to Sanders.
53 comments
Andrew K
February 25, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Now that he’s gonna win it outright they’re trying to steal it from him. Great way to ensure Trump’s reelection, make sure the Dem base stays home.
Harold Finch
February 25, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Well Jackass, Sanders being the nominee assures Trump will be elected!! Sanders is a Socialist goofball!!!!
Ryan T Weishaar
February 25, 2020 at 3:36 pm
Define Socialism, Democratic Socialism specifically and why it is scary.
Go on, I will wait.
Rebecca
February 26, 2020 at 6:44 am
Yes, OOOOOH scary concept, common sense. I’m waiting too for all you people hiding under their desks in the 50’s.
Bro 2416
February 25, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Harold Finch, dumbass.
Rebecca
February 26, 2020 at 6:45 am
agreed
clm
February 25, 2020 at 6:46 pm
wow. where do you get your news?
Linda Blackwell
February 25, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Sanders is truly the most Honest person that represent the People and not the Rich and Big Corporations.
Sharon Abreu
February 25, 2020 at 8:32 pm
I agree. I wonder if Messrs. Brown and Bach also going insist that Michael Bloomberg be removed from the ballot. He is a republican who is literally trying to buy this election.
Bernie Sanders’ policies align with the Democratic Party’s values better than any of the other candidates. Bernie met the criteria for running on the Democratic ticket. It is wrong to deny Florida voters the opportunity to vote for him. It flies in the face of democracy. I read in one article that Messrs. Bach and Brown are veterans. They want to keep this man who fought for veterans’ benefits off the ballot: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/how-bernie-sanders-fought-for-our-veterans-119708.
I spent many happy times in south Florida as a child and teenager. My grandfather, who came to the U.S. at age 15 from Rumania, participated in local Democratic politics in south Florida, working for his friend Art Canon’s mayoral campaign in Hallandale in the 70s. As a Bernie Sanders supporter, a climate change educator and union member, this makes me so sad.
Rebecca
February 26, 2020 at 6:47 am
I know, and how is it possible for people not to get his absolutely clear messages to get rid of income equality, etc. It’s as if these people believe they are part of the wealthy 1% that want to take every last dollar away from the working class, and they are part of the working class. Talk about self-sabotage.
Christopher Kennard
February 25, 2020 at 9:07 pm
You are likely outnumbered, sir. But I won’t call you a jackass or anything of the like. I would much rather leave the door open so that if and when Bernie is our nominee to “dump Trump” in 2020 to create a better world for us all . . . all of us . . . then I hope you join us.
You are an American citizen. I am an American citizen (an old one). It is OK to have different points of view or candidates we support, etc.
However, I am not an “asshole” but I am a living, breathing Democratic Socialist.
I am a senior citizen, worked for more than 50 years, paid my taxes for roads, schools, police and fire departments, and so on. I paid for my social security and medicare benefits which I receive today. I have voted to support and increase both programs. These are socialist programs that I, and millions of other retired citizens certainly support.
This and public education, medical care, our national transportation and waterways and communication links, internet and so on are social economic programs, policies. laws and practices. Many of these follow the initial programs proposed by FDR from the 1930’s on.
Perhaps you do not like FDR. In fact, you may be a Trump supporter for some reason. That’s your right as an American citizen, if you do support Trump.
Given my age and background, I like and respect Bernie Sanders as one of those who may lead us to a future where my children’s children may have a good future, rather than one that could be rather grim indeed. I believe many voters will agree in our 2020 election.
Rocco Carrube
February 25, 2020 at 11:11 pm
Listen, I know it’s hard to hear anything through the plate in your head, “goofball”. Bernie Sanders is not a Socialist. But you are a troll who, if you are indeed a Trumphead, not a bot, you’re disqualified from the normal percentile attributed to those above borderline mental retardation. All that to say that you’re a typical Floridian who considers a four way stop sign an IQ test. When I sit at one they always fail.
Peter Quave
February 26, 2020 at 1:36 am
Right on! sanders cost Hillary the election in 2016. His jackass millennials supporters didn’t even support Hillary in the general election and these communist hypocrites want us to allow a socialist independent party, but far left wing radical, to highjack the Democratic Party.
Rebecca
February 26, 2020 at 6:51 am
Peter, what a tired-out narrative. Hillary was the downfall of Hillary. One of the most hated and controversial candidates ever. So sick of hearing how it was Bernie’s fault when it was Hillary’s fault (corrupt much) that Bernie didn’t win.
Rebecca
February 26, 2020 at 6:42 am
If common sense ideas are socialist then more power to the goofballs! Sanders is the only cure for Trump.
Brian
February 29, 2020 at 10:28 am
i dont hear you complaining about your socialist roads, bridges, public schools, , libraries, parks, fire and police dept.. not to mention that SOCIAL security card.. anything paid for b the people and FOR THE PEOPLE is by definition… SOCIALIST.. but its a good word for scaring uneducated fools who dont know the big words….. ever notice that tis ok for congress to have healthcare paid for by your tax dollars but if you do the same for everyone its… socialism
?
Alex
February 25, 2020 at 2:06 pm
#FLORIDUH ON PARADE
Ted Apelt
February 25, 2020 at 2:08 pm
He was on the Democratic primary ballot in 2016, and I changed my registration from NPA to Democrat so I could vote for him. How is 2020 different than 2016?
Ben
February 25, 2020 at 2:14 pm
He’s winning
Ted Apelt
February 26, 2020 at 12:02 am
That, and the corporate Dems are desperate. BTW, he is registered in a party that only exists in VT, and since VT has fusion voting (which most states don’t have) he runs on that party’s ticket in addition to running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in the same race. The charge of “He is not a real Democrat” is misleading. The full story is that he is in a state with unusual voting rules.
Cogent Observer
February 25, 2020 at 2:09 pm
It’s great when the morons eat their young. Or, in Bernie’s case…
Phil
February 25, 2020 at 2:10 pm
But the Republican, Bloomberg,….. no problem… let him on the Democrat ticket without resistance.
Cogent Observer
February 25, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Bloomberg now professes to be a Democrat. Either way, the same issues persist, including, age and unfit, disproven left-wing ideologies. However, at least Bloomberg knows what it means to earn a living and not to live solely off of the public dole.
tim
February 25, 2020 at 3:02 pm
All his money is stolen from the workers he hired. He is racist, sexist, and plays golf with Trump.
Cogent Observer
February 25, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Tim–I’m no fan of his in most respects. However, he created jobs in the businesses that he built. Individuals chose to voluntarily take the jobs. If they did not want to work there they were free to take whatever skills they had and to go elsewhere. Unlike Sanders, who has never created wealth and likely does not know how. His theory of life and politics involves forcibly taking wealth from those who create and earn it and spreading it to others.
Sarah Barker
February 26, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Bernie has created wealth. He has worked his whole life, mostly for the people. Did you look at his tax return in 2016 when he released it? He was also a carpenter, a film maker, a very effective mayor and now an author. But riddle me this, how does ones ability to generate wealth affect their ability to lead a country? His resume in public policy makes him far more qualified than someone who has just run a company. Running a company does not equal running a country or a giant public works infrastructure upgrade. Case in point? Take a look at the white house now. Besides, your last statement just equates Bernie to Robin Hood. Wasn’t he the good guy in the story?
Rebecca
February 26, 2020 at 6:54 am
Peter, what a tired-out narrative. Hillary was the downfall of Hillary. One of the most hated and controversial candidates ever. So sick of hearing how it was Bernie’s fault when it was Hillary’s fault (corrupt much) that Bernie didn’t win.
Rory Goff
February 25, 2020 at 2:10 pm
After the DNC’s horrific cheating debacle in 2016, I Dem-exited. The only reason I rejoined the Democratic Party in Florida was to vote for the only true Democrat in the primary — Bernie Sanders. If they exclude him, I will leave the so-called Democratic Party again, and probably forever.
David Studer
February 25, 2020 at 2:14 pm
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/bernie-sanders-signs-dnc-loyalty-pledge-i-am-member-democratic-n979696
Frances
February 25, 2020 at 4:17 pm
Well, that settles that. Sheesh.
Stefanie
February 25, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Demexit of every Bernie supporter would ensure a democrat never wins another election. Tread carefully.
LB
February 25, 2020 at 3:03 pm
One can only hope, Stefanie. One can only hope.
Cuban American for Bernie
February 25, 2020 at 2:52 pm
Florida continues to prove it is the Walmart/Forest Gump of the states. The stupid is strong there. Thank God I left at 19 and never looked back.
Harold Finch
February 25, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Glad your gone!!! You are a complete bufoon!!!
LB
February 25, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Mr. Cuban–In our country, we try to use proper grammar. The correct way to have expressed yourself would have been: “The stupid ARE strong here.” Not “IS.” Evidently you had your primary education under Marxist rule?
Frances
February 25, 2020 at 4:14 pm
You are wrong, sir. His grammar was correct, yours on the other hand…
Lurker of Forums
February 26, 2020 at 1:47 pm
He’s referring to “stupid” as an entity or collective, not the individual stupidity of each Floridian, Mr. Racist.
Jp
March 8, 2020 at 2:52 pm
He could have been using stupid as a singular noun. If he had said the stupid people you would be correct but he is employing a literary mechanism called anthropomorphism
Catherine Jones
February 25, 2020 at 2:56 pm
You people didn’t object in 2016 so this is no different or that election will be considered invalid .. What is your problem,
Elaine
February 25, 2020 at 3:34 pm
If the voters support Sanders then he can win. I’m voting blue no matter who. Fighting and bs hands a second term to trump. This isn’t like any other time. I’m not feeling tbe Bern, but even a bad bern is better thsn trump. Focus people.
Cogent Observer
February 25, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Elaine–Your enthusiasm is heartening. However, before you make up your mind, be sure that you intellectually understand the import of what the man advocates. The man who has never held a job in his life.
Neekah
February 25, 2020 at 6:29 pm
Bernie was carpenter… so are you saying it’s not a real job? I would argue carpentry is a respected profession that most people know not everyone could do.
Douglas Rivero
February 25, 2020 at 3:34 pm
They never discuss how US imperialism and economic warfare pushed the Castro regime to remove political freedoms in order to safeguard the needed changes. They also dont discuss how the elites wanted it to be another right wing fascist paradise like Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. It is also just too funny how the media does not question the other candidates on their support for fascists in Latin America?? Luckily, most people are tired of the socialist boogeyman argument.
Trump 2020
February 25, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Florida is a place for people and ideas to die off. Buh-bye douche canoes.
paula pearson
February 25, 2020 at 4:46 pm
Gee, I think they are wasting their money on a frivolous lawsuit, but then it’s their money they are throwing down the drain. Bernie is a registered Democrat, for far longer than Bloomy has been.
Doty
February 25, 2020 at 5:19 pm
Frank Bach & George Brown have surely got to be Trumpsters. You can flip parties 29 days before each Florida election and wreak havoc to your heart’s content. Oh Florida.
Jen
February 25, 2020 at 6:10 pm
Why are you giving these two idiots any attention? Good grief. This is why we can’t have nice things. #Bernie2020
Victor
February 25, 2020 at 7:29 pm
As a registered Democrat and tax paying Floridian, I demand that you STOP wasting our time and money on a stupid and frivolous lawsuit! If Bernie is NOT on the ballot due to your efforts then I WILL vote for TRUMP. Nothing I hate more than Trump and the GOP except a corrupt Democratic Party!
Peter Quave
February 26, 2020 at 1:45 am
Because you want a bad democratic candidate to run against Trump to assure he gets re-elected. You are going to vote for Trump anyway regardless whether Bernie is the dem nominee or not. You are not fooling everyone.
Sharon Abreu
February 25, 2020 at 8:33 pm
Are Messrs. Brown and Bach also going insist that Michael Bloomberg be removed from the ballot? He is a republican who is literally trying to buy this election.
Bernie Sanders’ policies align with the Democratic Party’s values better than any of the other candidates. Bernie met the criteria for running on the Democratic ticket. It is wrong to deny Florida voters the opportunity to vote for him. It flies in the face of democracy. I read in one article that Messrs. Bach and Brown are veterans. They want to keep this man who fought for veterans’ benefits off the ballot: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/how-bernie-sanders-fought-for-our-veterans-119708.
I spent many happy times in south Florida as a child and teenager. My grandfather, who came to the U.S. at age 15 from Rumania, participated in local Democratic politics in south Florida, working for his friend Art Canon’s mayoral campaign in Hallandale in the 70s. As a Bernie Sanders supporter, a climate change educator and union member, this makes me so sad.
Jim Donelon
February 25, 2020 at 9:44 pm
At present I am not a supporter of Sen. Sanders, I am supporting Amy !! HOWEVER, whoever ends up as my party nominee will be 1,000% better than the fool presently in the White House.
Jim Donelon – President – Democratic Club of Saint Petersburg
Steve Webb
February 26, 2020 at 6:11 am
Vermont doesn’t identify voter registration by party affiliation. Howard Dean is not a registered Democrat. Neither is Patrick Leahy. I can’t tell how long this has been the case, but it is possible Calvin Coolidge was not a registered Republican.
Kenneth McCarver
February 26, 2020 at 5:46 pm
Democrat-Socialist Goals & Platform:
-Sanctuary Cities & States..(all candidates)
-De-fund & terminate Border Patrol & ICE.(goal open borders)
-Drivers licenses for illegal aliens.
-Late term abortions up to 9 months.
-Opposed to ANY voter ID Laws.
-End all deportations of illegal aliens, if you get here, you stay.
-Destruction of all private health care (Bernie Sanders & Elizabeth Warren)
-The Green new deal.(which would create massive unemployment)
-Free medicare care for all including illegal aliens (taxpayer funded with a 52 trillion estimate)
-Free college for all, including illegal aliens. (tax payer funded) Sanders-Warren
-Disarming Americans.
-Decriminalization of illegal entry into our country.
-Socialism.
-Citizenship for 30 to 50 million illegal aliens & TPS.
-Reparations for any race harmed by Caucasians (all candidates)
-Massive tax increases.
-Open Borders, No Borders.
-Welfare & Food Stamps for illegal aliens.
Be it Joe Biden, Sanders, Bloomberg, Pete or Elizabeth Warren. They all follow the left’s radical hyena’s of Nancy Pelosi, Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, Al Green, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Talib, Ayanna Pressley, llhan Omar, Val Deming, and Hakeem Jeffries.
*View their speeches / debates on you tube or the candidates websites.*
Taxpayers pay special attention to Bernie’s “Key Points.”
https://berniesanders.com/issues/
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