McAllister Drops Out, Backs Coe, in Sarasota County Commission contest

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Thursday Oct 23, 2014 10:34 pm

Write-in candidate Steve McAllister today announced he is withdrawing from the Sarasota County Commission District 2 election. He makes the move days after endorsing independent Alexandra Coe in the contest over Republican Paul Caragiulo.

McAllister announced this summer he would run for the county commission seat, first expressing interest in running as an independent but then deciding to file as a write-in when confronted with the hefty qualification fee and coming into the contest after the deadline had passed to qualify by petition. During the course of the campaign, McAllister said he has been troubled by the lack of media attention given to Coe, who as a candidate with her name on the ballot has a much greater chance of emerging victorious in the election.

"I announced my support for Alexandra Coe and asked people to vote for her instead of writing me in at the SRQ Voter Awareness Extravaganza at the Cock n Bull Pub, an event which featured speeches by 6 candidates in local races which was also not reported about by local media."

McAllister, founder of The Flow Factory, was running to bring a different perspective on the debate. He notably conducted an experiemnt in hs own life two years ago to live a year without money. He has also weighed in on issues like revisions to the Sarasota County 2020 Plan, which actually were approved this week over criticism of the changed by a number of candidates and conservationists.

Coe said she has been friends with McAllister for many years and welcomed nes of his endorsement and withdrawal. "We both are focused on the work and the big picture," she said.

Caragiulo, the Republican nominee, said he wasn't overly concerend with the endorsement. "I just wish everybody the best," he said.

The election is scheduled for Nov. 4. Caragiulo and Coe are being challenged by one other write-in candidate.

Filed under Politics

Tags:   Alex Coe  featured  Paul Caragiulo  Sarasota County Commission District 2  Steve McAllister

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