Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Wednesday, September 1, 1976, page 23 (of 61)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Times Guide
Serving the City Beautiful Since 1926 4627 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables Florida 33146 Florida's Best Suburban Newspaper Phone 665-7981
Sept. 7 primary election preview Wednesday, September 1, 1976 Special Section Coral Gables, South Dade races not lacking in competition, issues
By GARY GIBBS News Editor analysis When the deadline for qualifying to run for political office passed back on July 20, there was much grousing in the media about a lack of competition in many races. A general truth, but not when applied to South Dade and Coral Gables. Dade's mayor and all county commissioners drew opposition. All school board members whose time had come to face re-election have opponents. A lone state senate seat drew three qualifiers. And from among 11 state legislative districts covering the Gables and points south, only two incumbents drew no challengers. So there are choices for the voter to make on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Many of them, in fact. To sway voters, those on the campaign circuit select issues, adopt a position on each one, then go forth to face their constituency. But the major issues affecting South Dade and Coral Gables are of such magnitude and import that few political candidates differ on what should be done. How to go about getting it done is another matter, however. No one man or woman seems to have all the answers. And that predicament — of most candidates favoring no increase in taxation, better education, lowering auto insurance, improvements in transportation, fighting the rise in crime — makes the voter's decision more difficult. Taxation One common question we've been putting to See CANDIDATES, Page 44
inside Candidate photos, biographies for:
County Commission 30-33 | State Legislature 34-36, 42 | School Board 37 | Circuit Court 38, 45 | County Court 39, 43
VOTE Who can, and for whom
They'll be someone or something for everybody to vote for when the polls open Sept. 7. Regardless of your registration, be it Democrat, Republican or Independent, there will be plenty of levers for you to pull this Tuesday. Everyone can cast votes for county and circuit judges, Dade's mayor and Metro Commissioners, because candidates for those races are elected countywide and run without any party affiliation. But you have to vote by party and district in state legislative races. Democratic voters will have a wide choice, but the only Republican battle for South Dade voters will be in District 113 of the State House. Independents have to wait until the general election on Nov. 2. School Board elections are countywide and partisan, so only Dade's Democratic voice will be heard here, since no Republicans have entered any of the School Board races. But everybody has rights, regardless of party allegiances and all can vote for or against a county Bill of Rights being offered on the ballot. See that story on Page 50.