Sarasota Democratic candidate gets gallery seat for speech

Democrats signaled that they're still interested in the disputed congressional race in Sarasota by giving Christine Jennings a seat in the House gallery for the State of the Union address.
BY LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com

WASHINGTON - ... Clad in a cherry red pantsuit, the banker from Sarasota County who is contesting her narrow loss to succeed Rep. Katherine Harris, sat in the House gallery to the president's right -- a symbol of the fact Democrats are not relinquishing dibs on the seat -- despite the presence of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, who, as a member of Congress, got a seat on the floor.

''I hope it's a reminder that we need election reform and standards for the country,'' Jennings said of her presence in gallery 5, row B, seat 17. ``The message has never changed, we've got to know that we have fair and accurate elections.''

Buchanan, who was sworn into office by the Democratic-controlled Congress on Jan. 4 -- but not without notice that his election was being contested -- pointedly called Jennings his ''favorite constituent'' and said he aimed a wave in her direction ...

''I'm hopeful that the president will include in his message that he'll champion election reform,'' Jennings said, a broad smile on her face. ``I think it's very appropriate. He's obviously familiar with the voting problems in Florida.'' ...

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/16530663.htm

Hope Christine stays and stays and stays....