ABOVE VIDEO:Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced Tuesday he is running for president, delivering an economy- and security-centered message that he hopes will appeal to everyday Americans and distinguish him from the already-crowded Republican field. (FOXNEWS.com video)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Former Brevard legislator and Florida Senate President, Mike Haridopolos, will be a part of the national campaign team for Governor Mike Huckabee’s 2016 presidential race. Haridopolos also supported Huckabee’s 2008 run.
“I have been fortunate to have a good relationship with Governor Huckabee since 2007,” Haridopolos said.
“We have had lots of talks over the last nine months and I have travelled with him to Iowa. I have agreed to serve on his national finance committee and be an advisor-at-large – particularly in Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina – the early primary states.”
Huckabee officially announced the start of his campaign on Tuesday in Hope, Arkansas, the town where he grew up.
“Ninety-three million Americans don’t have jobs,” Huckabee said. “And many of them who do have seen their full-time job with benefits they once had become two part-time jobs with no benefits at all.
“We were promised hope, but it was just talk,” he said, referring to a major theme of Obama’s successful 2008 presidential bid.
Former Brevard legislator and Florida Senate President, Mike Haridopolos, will be a part of the national campaign team for Governor Mike Huckabee’s 2016 presidential race. Haridopolos also supported Huckabee’s 2008 run.
Huckabee also hit on social and military issues during his speech.
He noted his consistent stance on opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
Haridopolos said that Huckabee is grounded in his core beliefs, but is not just a single issue candidate.
“That’s where he stands on those issues,” he said. “But he also is running to improve the lives of the middle class and move people up to the middle class. He, of course, stands strong with Israel.
Mike Haridopolous
“Governor Huckabee is grounded and not going to maneuver his principles with the issue du jour,” Haridopolos added.
“His experience as a chief executive will certainly be an asset in these chaotic times.”
Huckabee said as president he would take the fight to the Islamic State.
“We will deal with jihadis just as we would deal with deadly snakes,” he said.
Huckabee also said that he would work with the international community to limit Iran’s ability to become a nuclear power.
“Hell will freeze over before they get a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Huckabee won six primaries, including the Iowa caucuses, during his first presidential run in 2008. He came in fourth in the Florida primary with 14 percent of the vote, behind eventual nominee John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani.
In the latest Quinnipiac poll, Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Fox News personality, is in fifth place in Iowa with 11 percent – behind Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
“If you remember back to 2012, there were a lot of flavors-of-the-week in Iowa – (Michelle) Bachman, (Newt) Gingrich, and (Rick) Santorum,” Haridopolos said. “Iowa will say a lot about who the nominee will be.
“I think this is a blessing for the Republicans. I’ve always thought a tough primary battle is important. It’s a good way to test for the national media attention that comes with the grind of a presidential run.”
Charles Parker writes a weekly perspective/opinion column, Out on the Wire…Without a Net, on Space Coast Daily which appears every Tuesday.
He is a longtime resident of Brevard County and has been writing for various publications for the last 40 years – both print and digital. Parker covers space, politics, religion, and other news and special events for Space Coast Daily.
Charles Parker
Currently, Parker is an aerospace engineering teacher at Merritt Island High School. He is also the director of both the da Vinci Academy of Aerospace Technology and the Academy of Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism at MIHS. He is a professor of Humanities and World Religions at Eastern Florida State College and Valencia College.
Parker has worked extensively in the tourism and aerospace industries in Brevard. He has also been a United Methodist pastor and director of a non-profit to help young adults aging out of foster care. He was formerly a board member at Brevard Achievement Center and the Childcare Association of Brevard. He was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Children’s Services Council from 1999-2003.
Parker earned a BA in Organizational Management from Warner University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is married, has four children and one grandchild.
You can reach him at cpbrevard@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @cpbrevard_scd
AUTHOR NOTE: These views are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Brevard Public Schools, Eastern Florida State College or Valencia College.
