Why does this matter? Because you just know that this was not the first time McKalip’s real beliefs were shared with policy makers. How many meetings must he have had with elected officials during which his ignorance reared its ugly head?
According to the Florida Divison of Elections and OpenSecrets.org, McKalip has contributed to: John McCain, Mitt Romney, US Senator Bill Nelson, Governor Charlie Crist, Congressman Tom Feeney, state senator Jeff Atwater, state representatives Kim Berfield, Jim Frishe, Gayle Harrell, Adam Hasner, Randy Johnson, Janet Long and Don Sullivan (McKalip’s wife Ann donated at least a couple of thousand dollars to oddball candidate Ron Paul).
It’s no secret that Janet Long’s daughter is the Executive Director of the Pinellas Medical Association and that’s why Representative Long received a $500 check from McKalip. But Rep. Long should never have accepted a contribution from someone so opposed to Democratic Party principles. Rep. Long should have known better than most of McKalip’s affiliations, if not his beliefs.
Rep. Long certainly had to be aware that McKalip supported Republican Angelo Cappelli over Democrat Bill Heller and Republican Kim Berfield over Democrat Charlie Justice and that McKalip helped bankroll Cut Taxes Now, Inc.
Despite her apparent popularity in Tallahassee (she leads all incumbents in the Pinellas delegation in contributions) Rep. Long has recently faced criticism for attending a political fundraiser for Republican Jack Latvala.
