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Varn denies Boulware endorsement rumors
Sep 17, 2008 - Tallahassee Democrat
Democrat Fred Varn, a Leon County School Board member and a former legislative candidate who was tossed off the ballot when a fellow Democrat sued, said today that he is not bitter and will not publicly endorse the Republican nominee.
Well, at least not too publicly.
In an on-the-record interview, Varn said that he was going to vote for Boulware, the former Baltimore Raven and FSU star, "because I think he is the most qualified candidate."
"I'm just trying to stay out of the campaign," he said. "As an American citizen, I have a right to vote for anyone I choose."
Why not go a step further and campaign for Boulware?
"I don't want to burn any bridges," he said.
Varn denied that he was voting for Boulware because his is sore at the Democratic Party and fellow Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda. She successfully sued before the Aug. 29 primary and convinced a Tallahassee circuit judge to toss Varn off the ballot because he ran afoul of resign-to-run laws.
Varn's tenure on the Leon County School Board would have overlapped with his first legislative term and Varn fumbled his resignation paperwork. Vasilinda argued that if she didn't take action, the Republicans could have sued after the primary and let a Republican challenger waltz into the seat unopposed.
Boulware and Vasilinda are vying for the District 9 seat held by Democrat Loranne Ausley, who is being forced to step down because of term limits.
"I'm just trying to stay out of the campaign," he said. "As an American citizen, I have a right to vote for anyone I choose."
Why not go a step further and campaign for Boulware?
"I don't want to burn any bridges," he said.
Varn denied that he was voting for Boulware because his is sore at the Democratic Party and fellow Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda. She successfully sued before the Aug. 29 primary and convinced a Tallahassee circuit judge to toss Varn off the ballot because he ran afoul of resign-to-run laws.
Varn's tenure on the Leon County School Board would have overlapped with his first legislative term and Varn fumbled his resignation paperwork. Vasilinda argued that if she didn't take action, the Republicans could have sued after the primary and let a Republican challenger waltz into the seat unopposed.
Boulware and Vasilinda are vying for the District 9 seat held by Democrat Loranne Ausley, who is being forced to step down because of term limits.
Varn recently retired from his job at the Department of Financial Services where he served as a senior legislative analyst. Varn, 63, said he plans in the next few months to begin a new chapter of his professional career, possibly as a lobbyist or consultant.
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