Howle seems to believe “the problem” is the rule of law
COMMENTARY
“This could lead to more than an eventual fine by the Florida Elections Commission. Howle may have already calculated it is well worth a fine in order to reach out to fellow Republicans. After all, by the time the election is over, should Howle win, what will he care about a fine? Florida law, however, also provides for felony charges for those found guilty of “corruptly influencing voting.” Clearly, then, if someone intentionally violates the law to influence an election, they could face felony charges.”
MARK SCHUMANN
Out on the campaign trail, Vero Beach City Council candidate, Harry Howle, III, is telling voters the way to conclude the power sale is simply to force the Florida Municipal Power Agency to “let Vero Beach out of its contracts.”
The 36-year-old, first-time candidate says he is ready to appeal to the Governor and the Florida Legislature to set aside established contract law in order to obviate Vero Beach’s FMPA contracts. Never mind that those contracts have been validated by the Florida Supreme Court.
Howle seems inclined to govern as if the City of Vero Beach is above the law. He also appears to be running his campaign in clear disregard for Florida election law. Today, many Vero Beach voters received a slick mailer from Howle, in which he identified himself as a “Reagan Republican.”
Section 106.143 of the Florida Statutes prohibits candidates who are running in non-partisan elections, such as Howle, from stating their party affiliation:
Candidates running for non-partisan office may not state the candidate’s party affiliation in the disclaimer, or in the body of the advertisement. Exception: The candidate is not prohibited from stating the candidate’s partisan related experience.
One Vero Beach said today they plan to file a complaint against Howle with the Florida Elections Commission.
This could lead to more than an eventual fine by the Florida Elections Commission. Howle may have already calculated it is well worth a fine in order to reach out to fellow Republicans. After all, by the time the election is over, should Howle win, what will he care about a fine? Florida law, however, also provides for felony charges for those found guilty of “corruptly influencing voting.” Clearly, then, if someone intentionally violates the law to influence an election, they could face felony charges.
FS Section 04.061:
Corruptly influencing voting – Whoever by bribery, menace, threat, or other corruption whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, attempts to influence, deceive, or deter any elector in voting or interferes with him or her in the free exercise of the elector’s right to vote at any election commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 for the first conviction, and a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, for any subsequent conviction.
Further, anyone who may have advised Howle to advertise his party affiliation may have some legal challenges ahead.
FS Section 04.091:
Aiding, abetting, advising, or conspiring in violation of the code – Any person who knowingly aids, abets, or advises the violation of this code shall be punished in like manner as the principal offender.
Ironically, though Howle says he is ready to govern, he also claims to believe government “is the problem.” Perhaps what Howle is saying is that he is now ready to join Councilwoman Pilar Turner in being “a part of the problem,” rather than a part of the solution.
If Howle wants to be a responsible public servant, he could start by respecting Florida’s election laws.
Indian River Guardian 
The Florida Division of Elections is getting a lot of work from Indian River County this year. The lack of respect for Florida election laws is not only in one political party. The Florida legislature in crafting its election laws put the burden on John Q. Public and that is the only thing that is now protecting the electorate.
Mark, Very informative article on the Howle view of what he can do. Does he intend to foot the bill to fight the existing contracts in the Supreme Court? Talk is cheap. It seems he may have made an election law violation. It looks like he has hitched his wagon to Pilar Turner, However he may not realize all of the negatives she brings to the race. The latest ,of course, is the road widening on her practically private road at a cost of 10% of the city road budget. She wants to sell the profitable Water and Sewer system; tried to sell our cemetery, and that is the reason we get a chance to protect the historic cemetery and other publically owned properties with a “YES” vote on the city charter amendment. She also supported Tracy Carroll with a “NO” when the city went to court to protect our neighborhoods. While she claims to be pro business she voted “NO” for and Enterprise Zone in the Downtown area. I suppose Mr Howle agrees with her idea to have ratepayers pay $26,000,000 to FPL. We rejected that terrible idea thank goodness. He should rethink his ties to Turner.
It appears that Mr. Howle III’s mailer is also “out of size” . Does it not seem odd that the mailer is grossly larger than any other mailer? I guess Mr. Howle III really hasn’t any regards for the “rules of the Florida Statues. What are we to believe in his governing the City of Vero Beach and “protecting” the TAXPAYERS that will pay his salary?
Howle was born in 1978, since you say he is 36. Mr. Reagan was president 1981-1989. He sure got an early start in politics.
As someone said talk is cheap, and he will say and do anything to get elected. A long time ago I heard some running for office say that he did not have a hidden agenda, that he was here to do what the people wanted and what was best for the city.
Thank you private citizen for filing a complaint.
Did Mr Howle hand out Reagan literature when was three years old? Sometimes government is the problem, but most often it is the politicians running the government. Where is Mr Howle getting the money to send out these expensive postcards? Is FPL involved? Is Glenn Heran involved? Most importantly Howle’s plan to sell the water and sewer will increase Vero fees and taxes, this is not very Reagan like.