Well… no regrets. In a district that had 13,500 more Republicans than Democrats, I got 21,934 votes to Peter Nehr’s 23,419. However, more than half of the eligible voters didn’t vote and about 20,000 voters that were expected to vote, based on the last Florida gubernatorial election, didn’t vote either. We will be looking at these numbers this week and trying to make sense out of where we lost votes. While nobody has a crystal ball, we will be able to see what precincts we won and what we lost, how that correlates to our efforts in those precincts and, most important, who didn’t show up – Democrats, Republicans, independents, women, men, old, young, etc. We knew the numbers we had to hit with Republicans and independents and we felt we had them about a month before.
So, I thank every one of you that supported me. Your confidence that I could win was accurate, your emails and phone calls were inspiring and moving. Everybody is asking if I’ll do it again, that I now have name recognition, a reputation of integrity and substance, and am also known by the unions and lobbyists. It is tempting. Everyone that devoted major chunks of their lives to this campaign wants to start up again. The reality though is that my opponent will be an incumbent. He raised $300,000 to my $37,000 this cycle and as an incumbent he will have half a million come 2008. He will also not have to fight off three opponents in a primary as he did during this election. He will almost certainly get the endorsement from both local newspapers. These are daunting obstacles. We will be watching what he does and preparing for the possibilities. But the answer is uncertain right now. As far as other races, there aren’t many. But we will be exploring.
As far as how I feel, I feel at ease. It has been a very intense two years. I didn’t realize the intensity and speed that we were moving at until we stopped. Suddenly, I realized it’s fall with winter and Christmas around the corner. My orange tree has fruit and I never even smelled the blossoms. All the bulbs were burnt out in my outdoor garage lights and my son moved back home to his old bedroom. I have to weed my garden and I have a lot of cleaning and organizing to do. This whole experience has changed me. I learned that you make more friends by making fewer enemies, to be a bridge means learning how to speak without being a divider. And most of all, I learned what my good friend Joe Pinner, the voice of South Carolina TV at WIS TV for over 45 years has been telling my students every year: It’s all about integrity. I have always had the philosophy that I expect nothing from anybody and that I appreciate anything anyone does for me. Some people have said they wished they had done more. Well, hold on to that thought and thanks for everything you did.
It’s time to say it with your vote. You’ve had enough.
It’s time for you to speak loud and clear and express through your ballot that you’re not happy with the status quo. You aren’t happy with the direction that the district, the state and the country have gone over the last few years.
You’ve had enough with the rising costs of living and stagnant pay. You’ve seen your homeowners insurance premiums go through the roof or worse — you’ve been downright dropped by your insurance provider. You’ve had enough with your property taxes increasing, and utility companies getting permission to do what they please and charge you any sum they see fit while they boast record profits.
You’ve had enough with Florida’s failing school system and officials so out-of-touch they can’t even see a problem. Florida being a leader in student drop-out rates is not something to look fondly upon. Florida schools being held hostage to the FCAT instead of teaching a curriculum isn’t something you’re happy about either. Teachers and students are frustrated and that affects the future of Florida.
Most of all, you’ve had enough with elected officials who know nothing of the plight you’re dealing with. You’ve had enough with disconnect between Tallahassee and you – the person your elected official is supposed to represent.
Today, you have the option to vote for a man who has been an asset to the community for over 20 years — a neighbor, a friend, a teacher, a local business owner, a man with ideals and a vision to improve our district and our state. A fellow who shares your disgust for the direction the government at all levels has taken. You have a chance to vote for change, for honesty and sincerity, for civic pride and for service.
Government is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people… Not for special interest groups, not for utility companies and other businesses whom can pay top dollar for preferential status in legislation. It’s supposed to be a government that knows the plight citizens have, and eager to listen and serve you while improving the quality of life for all.
Carl Zimmermann wants to be the voice for the citizens of district 48 in Tallahassee, not out of political ambition or ego but because he’s had enough of the government not living up to our expectations. He’s had enough of a government that lowers standards, principles and ideals for the sake of political ideology instead of doing what’s right.
You have that power today to say you believe this mans ideals. You have the chance today to remind the powers-that-be that you are in control.
As for this writer, I can only say that it’s up to you now. No more pleas for money, for volunteering, etc… It just comes down to you turning out to vote and choosing a future for the state.
Here’s hoping to see you tonight at Tiffany’s restaurant… And here’s hoping that a majority have had enough to push Carl "Z" Zimmermann into a position of service for the neighbors and region he knows and loves so well.
Early voting starts on Monday, October 23rd. It presents the first opportunity to mark your ballot for Carl Zimmermann. Oldsmar Public Library, Palm Harbor Public Library and Tarpon Springs City Hall are the three locations within District 48 where you can vote early. Voting is open from 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM to 4 PM on Saturday.
Starting today we’ve begun airing TV ads on the Bright House cable service. Keep an eye out for them while watching Bay News 9, CNN and other cable networks.
Don’t have Bright House cable? Don’t watch TV? No problem… We’ve gone and uploaded Carl’s TV commercial to the YouTube video network which allows us and our supporters to further distribute the video online and on other web sites.
Sunday, September 24th 2006
St. Petersburg Times
By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
CLEARWATER - In the classroom, Countryside High School journalism teacher Carl Zimmermann gets to ask the questions.
“Who hasn’t turned in their last news story yet?” he asked his third period TV Production II class one day last week. This was after reviewing a news story about the school cafeteria (prices up, french fry portions down). “When am I getting them?”
Outside the classroom, political candidate Carl Zimmermann has to answer the questions, and they are tough.
Like, “what’s your solution to the insurance crisis.”
Tackle that.
He does. Zimmermann, 55, is a Democrat running for state House District 48. He claims to have solid solutions to the area’s major problems and boasts of having cross-party support.
