Fake Florida Democrat tells local press 'Kiss my lily-white ass'

Joe Garcia It's primary day in Florida and the sleazy tactics of Rep. David Rivera to keep Joe Garcia out of the general election in District 26 haven't abated. You might remember the story of the fake Democrat in the primary who has been sending out masses of mailers using exactly the same attacks against Garcia as Rivera. Justin Lamar Sternad is the guy's name, though he's running using just the "Lamar" part of his name. He's a hotel night manager, and it's where the money is coming from to send out these attacks that's got local media intrigued.

Here's the math: He has raised $11,262 (nearly all from himself) and spent $10,440 to qualify in his quixotic bid for congressional office, despite having no public record of political engagement or political contacts.

That leaves about $822, according to his most recent campaign finance report. That's not enough cash to spend on mailers (considering that he has reported spending campaign cash on phones and postage) So far, he has sent at least six pieces out in the Key West-to-Kendall District 26 race.

How does he afford all this?

"Kiss my 'lily-white' ass," Sternad said by email.

As the Herald points out, it's against the law to spend and receive campaign money without reporting it. There's another clue that it's likely Rivera who's behind Sternad's campaign, such as it is. Rivera's experience with, let's say, ethical lapses in the whole campaign finance realm is legion.

So, basically Joe Garcia is running against Rivera twice, in the primary and in the general, since he's expected to win this primary against his one serious opponent, newcomer Gloria Romero Roses. Rivera is intent on poisoning the well now against Garcia, probably both in the hopes of knocking him out now, and in smearing him for the general election.

This is going to be a dirty one.

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