By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
Republican legislative candidates are defending a pledge they signed to vote as a block for any rules or leadership positions.
Democratic candidates and leaders have criticized the pledge, which calls for Republican legislators to vote together on the GOP caucus choices for electing leadership and rules changes.
House District 66 candidate Alan Baker agreed that the pledge only deals with operating rules and procedures.
But Baker's opponent, Democratic incumbent F.P. &#8220Skippy” White, said the attempt to control votes is &#8220dangerous.”
Escambia County Democratic Party Chairman Reo Kirkland said candidates committed to the pledge without knowing who the choices for leadership would be or what the rules changes would entail.
Elections for statewide and local races will be held Nov. 7.
The deadline for absentee voting is Oct. 27, and the deadline to register to vote is Nov. 2.