Donald Trump endorses David Shoar in Florida Senate District 7 Republican primary. (Mark Harper, DBNJ)

A convicted felon has endorsed disgraced ex-Sheriff DAVID SHOAR, who helped cover up the September 2, 2010 homicide of Ms. Michelle O'Connell by Sheriff's Deputy JEREMY BANKS falsely calling it a "suicide" before the sun rose the next day, later issuing a press release damning her family for "molesting" her body by obtaining an autopsy (which found her jaw was broken!).  Two respected judges, one state and one federal, found probable cause that Deputy JEREMY BANKS killed Ms. O'Connell. County Court Judge Charles Tintin authorized a search warrant, which infuriated SHOAR, who procured a plaintiff lawyer to sue FDLE Special Agent Rusty Ray Rodgers for allegedly violating BANKS' rights.  After five years of litigation, U.S. District Court Judge Brian J. Davis dismissed this apparent (SLAPP) Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, joining Judge Tintin in finding probable cause that BANKS committed homicide on September 2, 2010 in his house, with his gun. SHOAR pronounced it a suicide before the sun rose the next day. Epic investigative reporting by three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Walt Bogdanich exposed SHOAR's coverup.  SHOAR, who legally changed his name from "HOAR" in 1994, now revels in the endorsement of a convicted felon billionaire, DONALD JOHN TRUMP.  In the words of the late New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (played by actor Kevin Costner) in the movie, JFK, "What do you expect from a pig but a grunt?"  

In a 2016 LWV primary debate, SHOAR rejected body worn cameras and dashboard cameras for "his" deputies, saying he "reject[s]" the "false narrative" that "cops need to be watched."  He was wrong then and revels in his wrongness. 

I don't get to vote in the August 20, 2024 closed Republican Primary election.  (Three Republicans asked me to change my party affiliation to run for County Commission, and I respectfully declined.)  But if I were a Republican, I could not possible support SHOAR.  

This old country disbarred lawyer was once a proud plaintiff's lawyer in environmental and nuclear whistleblower cases.  (Thank you, Nicole Crosby and Christian Whitehurst for reminding me, and others, that I was disbarred).  I worked for three U.S. Senators by age 20, clerked for two federal administrative law judges, was honored to represent nine federal administrative law judges, including a majority of the Indian Probate Judges in the U.S. Department of the Interior, vindicating the rights of truth tellers, like nuclear engineers at TVA and Southern California Edison and ethical employees like EPA Senior Special Agent Robert E; Tyndall.  I wrote some eight articles for American Bar Association publication, including two in the Judges' Journal.  When I was a licensed attorney, 1987-2004, I was a member of the national trial lawyers group.  To St. Johns County Republicans: as JFK said it best, "sometimes party loyalty demands to much."  A vote for stinky sibilant disgraced ex-Sheriff DAVID SHOAR/HOAR is a vote in favor of coverups and constitutional rights violations.   Thinking SJC Republican are saying, in the words of Samuel Goldwyn, "include me out!"

What do y'all reckon?

Donald Trump endorses David Shoar in Florida Senate District 7 Republican primary

Mark Harper

Daytona Beach News-Journal

In a heated Florida Senate race where one candidate has claimed nearly all the endorsements of elected officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, another just landed perhaps the biggest one of all.

Former President Donald Trump's backing of David Shoar in the state Senate District 7 race against state Rep. Tom Leek and former professional athlete Gerry James would seem to be the holy grail (sic) of endorsements. Shoar is a former four-term St. Johns County sheriff.

Trump called Shoar a "tremendous America First Patriot" in a capitol letter-happy Truth Social post Saturday.

Shoar: 'Deeply honored and grateful'

Shoar responded with a prepared statement in a news release.

Shoar, who was attacked in a Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign flier as a backer of the never-Trump Lincoln Project, blamed power brokers for backing Leek, who has raised about $7 million between his campaign and political committees.

"The Tallahassee establishment is spending millions attacking me because just like President Trump, I can’t be bought or controlled by the powers that be. I will drain the swamp in Tallahassee and fight for the needs of our citizens," Shoar said. 

Leek: 'Proud to cast my vote for President Trump'

In response to a message seeking comment, Leek texted The News-Journal: "I'm honored to have been chosen by the Trump campaign and the Republican Party of Florida as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and was proud to cast my vote for President Trump to lead our country. I look forward both to his victory in November and my victory on August 20th."

Leek has been the House Appropriations chair the past two years and is a potential future Senate president. In addition to DeSantis, Leek has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Reps. Michael Waltz and Cory Mills, House Speaker Paul Renner, incoming Senate President Ben Albritton, the four sheriffs whose counties are part of District 7 and others.

He, too, has been a target of ads attacking him as a liberal who has gotten rich working for an insurance brokerage while Floridians have seen their homeowners' rates soar. Shoar, who entered the race late, has been helped by attack ads funded by a PAC called The Truth Matters, which has received more than $3 million from another PAC, Floridians for Accountability, Freedom and Opportunity. That PAC has raised more than $4 million, mostly from lawyers and law firms, since the end of last year.

Election already under way

One question that remains is whether Trump's endorsement comes too late, as some vote-by-mail ballots have already been returned.

All of Flagler and Putnam counties are in District 7, but parts also extend north into St. Johns and south into Volusia.

While primary elections have generated about 24% turnout in Florida this century, Volusia County had only gotten a 7% turnout through Friday. Flagler County is at 6%, Putnam County (3%) and St. Johns (2%).

Polling, including a McLaughlin & Associates survey from the end of June, has shown Leek ahead by double digits. A July 3 memo obtained by The News-Journal showed Leek ahead of Shoar 39% to 20%, with James following at 9%.

The Senate seat is open due to Travis Hutson reaching his limit of two consecutive four-year terms.

Trump also endorses Webster Barnaby

In a separate post, Trump backed state Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, in his bid for re-election. Barnaby, who does not have a primary opponent, faces Democrat Rosemarie Latham in the Nov. 5 general election.

Trump said Barnaby is "doing a fantastic job" in growing the economy, securing the border and defending the Second Amendment, posting: "Webster Barnaby has my Complete and Total Endorsement − HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"