The Key West Citizen

SIXTEEN ARE SEEKING DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION IN PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE CONDUCTED IN JUNE

(By Associated Press)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Mar. 13. The number of candidates for governor in the 1936 elections has set a new high-water mark for Florida. Sixteen are seeking the Democratic nomination, while other political parties have not named any candidates so far. The first nomination primary is more than two months away, but at least the candidates are showing more interest in the campaign than ever before. The first primary is June 2, with the second primary on June 26.

Chief Justice J. B. Whitfield of the supreme court, who has observed many political campaigns, and W. T. Cash, state librarian who has records on campaigns, said the 16 now in the Democratic nomination race marks a new record for candidates. The previous record was in the 1932 nominating primary when nine candidates were in the field. More announced that year, but some of them withdrew before time to pay the qualifying fees.

To Succeed Sholtz

The governor elected this year will succeed Governor Dave Sholtz next January to serve a term of four years. Sholtz was nominated and elected in 1932.

Candidates who have announced this year for the Democratic nomination are:

Grady Burton of Wauchula;
Jerry Carter of Tallahassee;
Stafford Caldwell of Miami;
Dan Chappell of Miami;
Fred P. Cone of Lake City;
Redmond B. Gautier of Miami;
W. C. Hodges of Tallahassee;
Amos Lewis of Marianna;
Mallie Martin of Crestview;
Carl Maples of Wakulla;
Noel E. Mitchell of St. Petersburg;
Leslie J. Miller of St. Petersburg;
B. F. Paty of West Palm Beach;
Raleigh Petteway of Tampa;
Peter Tomasello of Orlando;
J. R. Yearwood of Winter Haven.

Exceeds Others

The number seeking the governorship far exceeds the number of candidates for other state offices. Each candidate must pay $250 to the state and $125 to the Democratic executive committee to become qualified for the race. Approximately 350,000 voters will be qualified for the elections.

In the first Democratic primary in 1932, there were 276,820 votes cast and tabulated. In the 1932 general election, the vote totalled 279,593 (correct), with Sholtz, the Democratic nominee, receiving 186,270 to defeat W. J. Howey, Republican candidate, who received 93,323.