A point of information on the word "for." I am not the incumbent.

Section 106.143 of Florida statutes contains this paragraph.

"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, in order that incumbency is not implied. This subsection does not apply to bumper stickers or items designed to be worn by a person."

The part in bold is my emphasis.

If you look closely at my signs, you will see that we did not include the word "for." That is my fault alone. This is my first time ever running for office; and I somehow did not process the importance of the word "for" and translate it into my signs. While reviewing election statutes this morning, as I do from time to time, it became clear I had committed this error. I apologize.

The irony of this mistake, of course, is that I have no interest whatsoever in implying incumbency. I am not the incumbent. I am running hard against the record and vision of the incumbent.

I have contacted the state Division of Elections verbally about this. And I am filing a formal complaint against myself. The criteria concerning complaints emphasizes intent and severity and history in deciding what sanctions to hand down. I am confident that the state will see this as the simple oversight that it is. But I believe in owning up to mistakes forthrightly and trying to correct them.

In the meantime, I plan to print labels that we can affix to our signs that say "for." Or, the state folks tell me, if you have one of my signs you can write in "for" with a Sharpie. Please do that now if you read this.

Thanks you all for your support last night, and let's power on.