Pruitt backs former state rep for senate seat By Jay Meisel Hometown News 01.30.09 TREASURE COAST - In seeking to become state senator, former State Rep. Joe Negron has one powerful weapon in his arsenal: State Sen. Ken Pruitt. Sen. Pruitt, R-Port. St. Lucie, sponsored a breakfast last week for Mr. Negron and unequivocally endorsed the Stuart Republican's bid to replace him as senator in District 28. During the breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn, Sen. Pruitt, who is not seeking re-election in 2010, said Mr. Negron "has a public servant's heart" and "has shown the ability to lead and get the job done..." "Aileen (Mrs. Pruitt) and I are giving Joe Negron our enthusiastic support," Sen. Pruitt said. Thus far, Mr. Negron is the only announced candidate seeking to replace Sen. Pruitt. District 28 includes all of Martin County, most of St. Lucie County, the southern part of Indian River County and parts of Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties. Mr. Negron, a former state representative who served three terms from 2000 to 2006, unsuccessfully sought to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley in 2006. One of the reasons Sen. Pruitt said he supports Mr. Negron is that he is not "one of those flashy politician," Sen. Pruitt said. Mr. Negron wanted to hold the breakfast, as well as others in the future, with the main purpose to meet people, instead of raising money, Sen. Pruitt said. He said Mr. Negron worked hard for the area and was instrumental in obtaining money for the public safety complex at Indian River County and a facility for seniors in Martin County. And as state representative when the state was receiving a lot of revenue, Mr. Negron worked to put some of it in reserve with the attitude that "just because we have it, we don't have to spend it all." "He just quietly and methodically put that money away in the reserves for a rainy day, and now its now a rainy day. He didn't get a lot fanfare for that," Sen. Pruitt said. But that effort has left Florida in a better position than many other states, he said. Mr. Negron, who works as an attorney in West Palm Beach, pledged that, if elected, St. Lucie County would be important to him. He said he would have a senate office in St. Lucie County. With the state facing funding cuts, he said that education in kindergarten through 12th grade would be his top priority. He also stressed the importance of the business community in maintaining the economy. Mr. Negron said he would continue efforts to make the Treasure Coast the Research Coast by seeking to bring in more research companies. He said he supports equal opportunity for all. "I want my daughter to have the same opportunities as my two boys," Mr. Negron said. He said he is seeking the position because he cares about the community and believes he can do an effective job representing families and businesses. Should further budget cuts be needed, he said, he would look for programs that impact the fewest people. One example, he said, is counseling programs, which can be handled by the private sector.

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