Biking Mad: Candidate to Ride 400 Miles to Force Debate

The battle for Florida's CFO is about to put the pedal to the road

Political opponents name calling isn't anything new, but when one calls the other out with a bicycle challenge, well we have to take notice.

The Democratic candidate for the state's chief financial officer plans to ride a bicycle more than 400 miles to confront her opponent because he's "not man enough to debate me."

Loranne Ausley, a 47-year-old former state representative, said Monday she'll pedal from her hometown of Tallahassee to Republican Jeff Atwater's North Palm Beach office in four days. Her trek starts Tuesday.

Atwater's camp said the admire his opponent's physical fitness, but they are worried about the state's fiscal fitness. They also claim they tried to debate Ausley in Miami on Oct. 21, but she backed out.

Now if the terms "not man enough" aren't enough to get Atwater out of his offices and into debate mode, then maybe the sight of Ausley in biker tights will.

In all fairness, Ausley would have the upper hand in any fitness competition. She's a trained triathlete.

The idea for the bike ride comes from the late Gov. "Walkin' Lawton" Chiles, known for hiking across Florida. She said she's showing voters that she's "willing to go the extra mile" to fight corruption and a "pay-to-play" culture at the Capitol.

Atwater is president of the Florida Senate, but wants to replace Alex Sink as CFO.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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