FLIMEN-PAC

Floridians for Immigration Enforcement (FLIMEN) announces formation of FLIMEN-PAC, a Political Action Committee for State of Florida candidates for elected office.  FLIMEN-PAC is the first state-level IRE (Immigration Reduction and Enforcement) group in the US to form a PAC.

In past years FLIMEN and others were able to stop driver's licenses for illegal aliens for two years and to stop college tuition subsidy for illegal aliens for three years in the Florida Legislature.  In recent years FLIMEN has been frustrated by Florida Legislature Leadership who have blocked efforts to enact E-Verify legislation, namely the proposed Florida Citizens Employment Protection Act. While FLIMEN definitely supports enforcement legislation similar to Arizona's SB1070, the number one priority legislation of FLIMEN remains full E-Verify.  Enactment of full E-Verify addresses the crux of the problem, the condoning of jobs by illegal aliens.  Importantly, enactment of E-Verify will reduce fiscal and enforcement burdens. 

With frustration as a driving force the goal of FLIMEN-PAC is to help candidates who champion the cause of immigration enforcement get elected to office.  FLIMEN-PAC will be vetting more candidates in statewide races and races for the state legislature and will continue to make illegal immigration a key issue in Florida until immigration enforcement is achieved.

FLIMEN-PAC endorses the following candidates for the 2010 Florida General Election:

• Gayle Harrell, (R), Candidate for Florida House District 81
• Rick Scott, (R), Candidate for Florida Governor
• Patrick Laffey, (R), Candidate for Florida Senate District 32
• Corey Poitier, (NPA), Candidate for Florida Senate District 35

Mike Lameyer, Candidate for Florida Senate District 27, was endorsed for the 2010 Florida Primary Election but did not win.

Details of the endorsements follow:

• Gayle Harrell, (R), Candidate for Florida House District 81 

FLIMEN-PAC wholeheartedly endorses former State Representative Gayle Harrell in her campaign for the Florida House of Representatives.  During her previous service in Tallahassee, Harrell was known for her tireless work to stop illegal hiring and to end welfare benefits for illegal aliens.

"We're proud to make Gayle Harrell, a long-time ally and friend of immigration enforcement, our first endorsement," said FLIMEN Vice-President David Caulkett.

During her service, Harrell pushed through legislation, even when it wasn't popular in her own party.

"We remember working with Gayle when leadership within her own party wouldn't let our bills be heard," said FLIMEN Legislative Chairperson and Board Member Jack Oliver. "She stood up to leadership and didn't care what the political consequences might be."  Jack further states, "The current Representative, Adam Fetterman, has refused to help. We have personally reached out to Rep. Fetterman many times and asked him to join us in our fight to make E-Verify mandatory and stop illegal hiring. At this critical time, we need to have a representative like Gayle Harrell who will listen to the people."

Donations to Gayle Harrell's campaign are encouraged via FLIMEN-PAC below or via www.gayleharrell.com.

The incumbent is Representative Fetterman.  See Representative Fetterman Misrepresents His Record.

• Rick Scott, (R), Candidate for Florida Governor

FLIMEN endorsed Rick Scott for the 2010 Florida Gubernatorial race based on his vocal, assertive support of immigration enforcement which he made the cornerstone of his campaign.  Upon inauguration Rick Scott implemented E-Verify for state agencies via Executive Order.  This was a good first step but since that time Rick Scott, other than answer a few reporter's questions on AZ1070, failed to show any leadership on the issue as promised.  Rick Scott never had a press conference, never made any behind the scene effort to FLIMEN's knowledge, and refused to meet with FLIMEN and others on the issue.  He forgot his campaign promise. While many others including Senate President Haridopolos, Senator Flores, Senator J. D. Alexander, Senator Thrasher, Senator Bogdanoff, and House Speaker Cannon to a lesser degree, are to blame for the failure to enact E-Verify, it was Governor Rick Scott who campaigned so vigorously on the issue and won but failed so miserably to fulfill his promises.  Because of Rick Scott's failure to lead on the issue, FLIMEN rightfully erected a billboard on February 8, 2012 chiding him on the issue. FLIMEN hopes that the billboard will be a wakeup call to the Governor so that he will actually lead the state in 2013 toward E-Verify enactment. February 11, 2012

FLIMEN-PAC endorses Rick Scott to become the next Governor of Florida.

Florida needs a consistent champion and leader on the issue of illegal immigration. Rick Scott is that person. Rick Scott made solving Florida’s illegal immigration crisis the cornerstone of his campaign from the onset and has not wavered.  Rick Scott has demonstrated that he will make jobs for legal residents and immigration enforcement a top priority throughout the duration of his administration if elected as Governor.

Florida's illegal immigration crisis exists today because of the lack of leadership in Tallahassee over the last decade. That inaction cost Floridians an estimated $3.8 billion in 2008 (FAIRUS.org) and many more billions over the past decade. While career politicians failed to protect legal workers and businesses, jobs went to illegal aliens; hospital costs for illegal aliens have exploded, violent criminal aliens have been released back into Florida, and schools over-crowded with illegal alien students has resulted in inferior conditions for our own children.  Florida's career politicians have historically been absent from duty when called to protect Florida's legal workers and law-abiding businesses as exemplified by their failure to enact E-Verify since 2008.

Now more than ever, Florida needs Rick Scott as a Governor who has the skill and experience to create jobs in the private sector and the leadership to ensure those new jobs go to legal workers of Florida.

Donations to Rick Scott's campaign are encouraged via FLIMEN-PAC below or via www.rickscottforflorida.com.

• Patrick Laffey, (R), Candidate for Florida Senate District 32

Florida Senate District 32 voters concerned about the negative impacts of illegal immigration will want to cast their vote for Patrick Laffey. Pat will insist that all of Florida's law enforcement agencies enforce exsisting laws to the extent possible.  Also Pat realizes that most illegal workers are here mainly to work and that E-Verify legislation would eliminate the job magnet and open up job opportunities for the unemployed.  

Patrick needs your help as he is in a tough race against well-funded incumbent Senator Jeremy Ring (D), an anti-enforcement zealot who blocked an E-Verify bill during the 2010 FL Legislative Session.

Donations to the Patrick Laffey campaign are encouraged via FLIMEN-PAC below.  Importantly, volunteer to help by emailing plaffey7@yahoo.com or visit www.laffey4senate.com. 

• Corey Poitier, (NPA), Candidate for Florida Senate District 35

  Growing up in South Florida, attending school in South Florida, volunteering with numerous non-profits, coaching, and teaching in South Florida, Corey Poitier has experienced and lived with the effects of uncontrolled immigration and it's cost on South Florida. Declaring that "Illegal Immigration is a burden that our cities, counties and states cannot handle anymore" Corey is committed to full support of E-Verify and immigration enforcement in Florida.

  Corey needs volunteers as he is in a tough race against Gwen Margolis (D).     

  Donations to Corey Poitier's campaign are encouraged via FLIMEN-PAC below.  Importantly, volunteer to help by emailing poitier4congress@hotmail.com or visit www.electcoreypoitier.com.