Political leaders expected to debate at Tiger Bay Club
Two longtime Florida political leaders will debate Thursday at a dinner meeting of the Space Coast Tiger Bay Club in Cocoa Beach.
Former Florida Rep. Dick Batchelor will advocate for the Democratic side, while former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey Jr. will take the Republican side.
Space Coast Tiger Bay Club Executive Coordinator Leigh Holt said one focus of the debate will be the Florida governor’s race pitting incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott against the winner of a Democratic primary that currently includes former Gov. Charlie Crist and former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich.
Holt said other issues Batchelor and Frey likely will discuss include state ballot initiative on legalizing medical marijuana, and on designated state funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands.
“Space Coast Tiger Bay is all about bringing issues to the public in a nonpartisan, but interesting, way,” Holt said.
Batchelor served in the Florida House from 1974 to 1982. He also received presidential appointments as a delegate to observe elections in South Africa and as a delegate to United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Frey served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1979. He is a partner in the law firm of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando.