And now there are five ! …
Just in case you are keeping count, the fifth candidate for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale jumped into the fray this week! More about him in a minute!
If you’ve been following what is sure to be an interesting political cauldron bubbler, you will remember that the race began simple enough; a three term, term limited Commissioner, (Hutchinson), the only candidate for months.
Then, in came the other big gun, the State Representative (Seiler), and the race was on.
Seiler’s well attended fund raiser last week
But, as usual, just to make sure there would be a primary in the Mayor’s race, in jumped relatively unknown, but well resourced attorney, (Steve Rossi). The newest news on Rossi is that he has officially moved into the city from Wilton Manors (as has Seiler), and word is that he is coming out with a very provocative City financing plan soon!
Then, when some thought it would stop with the three, in leaps former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis. Trantalis is talking confidently about his chances. Trantalis is rather locally famous, and was the only gay citizen in the race when he got in. Add his popularity with much of the beach folks and some other slow-growth residents, and you could see where his entry into the race could muddy things up!
Then came the Colonel, now there are five!
His name is Earl Rynerson, former Gulf War Lt. Colonel, and also GAY ! Now there are two gays! Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall at the Naugle household this week ?
Rynerson at the Florida Dem’s Convention
Rynerson has been a resident of Fort Lauderdale for about a decade. He has no political experience here, but boasts that he served as a Commissioner in San Francisco, (that’s an appointed position in S.F., kind of like our Advisory Boards, but with real budget approving authority).
Rynerson has little name recognition, but he could get some footing, as it appears that he has made millions in different businesses he has owned. His current business is Clad Tile and Stone, near Fort Lauderdale High School. Rynerson has been making the rounds of the big names in the City, and what he lacks in familiarity, he seems to make up with his personal gusto.
So, stay tuned, I have been predicting 7 total candidates by election day, so there might be two more to go!