Holly Benson

Tallahassee, Fla. – Holly Benson, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General, today announced that the Okaloosa County Medical Society, Sarasota County Medical Political Action Committee, Palatka Daily News and Pensacola Independent News have endorsed her in her bid to become the next Attorney General of Florida.

“The Okaloosa County Medical Society is proud to announce its support of Holly Benson for Attorney General in the upcoming 2010 election,” said Carolyn Johnson, executive director of the Okaloosa County Medical Society. “Holly has been a great friend of Medicine and has represented Northwest Florida well over the years in her elected and appointed positions as a public servant.”

“Holly Benson is the most knowledgeable candidate for Attorney General when it comes to health care law,” said Dr. Michael Patete, president of the Sarasota County Medical Political Action Committee. “Now more than ever, we need a State Attorney General with this skill set.”

In their editorial, the Palatka Daily News wrote, “Benson, who has a slight lead among decided voters in the aforementioned poll, is touting a desire to take state government back to basics and says she is the candidate best positioned to carry on current Attorney General Bill McCollum’s challenge of President Obama’s health care reforms. She is a former state legislator and has been in charge of two state agencies, including the Agency for Health Care Administration.”

The Palatka Daily News editorial goes on to say, “We recommend Benson for the nomination. Her experience related to health care issues seems very timely.”

In their endorsement of Holly Benson for the Republican Candidate for Attorney General, the Pensacola Independent News, founded by Joe Scarborough, wrote, “Northwest Florida needs a member on the Florida Cabinet. Benson is our only shot.”

“I am grateful to have the support of so many physicians across the state and of these newspapers,” said Benson. “I am optimistic that on Election Day voters will agree that I am the best qualified candidate to run our party’s ticket to victory in November. We must turn our economy around, fight against federal health care reform and protect our borders – and I am ready to do just that.”

Benson announced her candidacy for Attorney General for the State of Florida on October 29, 2009. Until her announcement, Benson served as Secretary of the AHCA. In that role, Benson worked to significantly reduce Medicaid fraud and to hold health care providers accountable. In addition, she worked to streamline the regulatory process and reduce the regulatory burden for providers and consumers while never compromising the safeguards protecting the health and well-being of patients.

Prior to her appointment as Secretary of the AHCA, she served as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). As head of DBPR she led a team that improved customer service and reduced the red tape taxes that drive up costs for Florida’s businesses and professionals. The department is responsible for licensing more than 1 million Floridians.

Before her appointment to the Governor’s Cabinet, Benson served the people of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze for six years as their representative in the Florida House of Representatives. During her tenure in the legislature, Benson earned a reputation for tackling tough issues. As Chair of the Select Committee on Article V, she led the successful reorganization of the state court system. As Chair of the Committee on State Administration, she updated the state’s procurement code. In addition, as Chair of the Health and Families Council she addressed the tough health care access issues that touch the lives of all Floridians.

Benson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Florida College of Law. She practiced municipal bond law with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. from 1996 to her appointment as Secretary of the DBPR in 2007.

Benson has served on the Florida Council of 100, the Council on Efficient Government and the Board of Directors of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. She is a member of First Methodist Church and a former member of the Downtown Rotary. Benson also served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science and the Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the Holly Benson for Attorney General Campaign, please visit www.hollybenson.com.

Contact: Sarah Bascom
(850) 294-6636
or Kristen Bridges
(850) 545-1917