By: Sharon Aron Baron
Mayor Harry Dressler asks residents to re-elect him for mayor on his recent campaign mailers, potentially misleading them into believing that he was elected into office. As you may remember, Dressler was appointed after Beth Talabisco was re-suspended by the Governor.
Last week, I reported that he stole our images to promote himself without asking permission from us in the brochure pictured above.
According to the 2014 Florida Statutes for Electors and Elections item number 106.143 (6) :
“No political advertisement of a candidate who is not an incumbent of the office for which the candidate is running shall use the word “re-elect.” Additionally, such advertisement must include the word “for” between the candidate’s name and the office for which the candidate is running, so that incumbency is not implied. This subsection does not apply to bumper stickers or items designed to be worn by a person.”
According to Attorney Ashley Davis with the Florida Division of Elections, Dressler is not in violation by using the word “re-elect.” In an opinion authorized by the division, an incumbent may use the term re-elect event though not officially elected.
Using this term, even if it’s not a violation, is still misleading to the residents of Tamarac.
