Nov 20, 2009 7:20 pm US/Eastern
Spence-Jones Adamantly Denies Wrongdoing
Special Election Is Set For January 12th
Spence-Jones Is Accused Of Using Subsidy Money For Her Own Business
"For me not to run would be an admission of guilt," she said.
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Suspended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones says she is running to be re-elected to the post she was removed from in the Miami Commission.
CBS
Miami city commission chairman Marc Sarnoff said Friday that if the deposed commissioner Spence-Jones wins re-election, he hopes the governor will again remove her from office. Governor Charlie Crist ordered Spence-Jones off the commission dais last week after she was charged with felony counts of stealing public money.
Spence-Jones has adamantly denied wrong-doing and announced to a cheering crowd Thursday that she will run in a January 12th special election called to fill her vacant seat.
Sarnoff Friday said he hopes that "Governor Crist will be the law and order governor" and remove Spence-Jones from office again if she wins the special election. The commission chairman said he could not imagine running for re-election while facing felony charges. "I would not be re-elected in my district," Sarnoff said. "In my district just the mere allegation would preclude any chance of re-election."
Standing behind a podium, microphone in hand, Spence-Jones was flanked by dozens of supporters holding signs that said "Vote for #95" on Thursday. She told District 5 constituents that she is doing so because she is innocent.
"For me not to run would be an admission of guilt," Spence-Jones told the crowd.
Governor Charlie Crist had suspended her last week after the state attorney's office accused her of diverting public subsidy money to private businesses run by her.
"When you're not guilty, when you're not afraid, when you know you haven't done any wrong, I just consider this a stumble in the road," said Spence-Jones.
"They're here because they want us to continue everything that has been done," Spence-Jones said of the crowd that joined her Thursday.
Spence-Jones is running in the January 12th special election set by the Miami Commission after it consulted with the Governor's office to find her replacement. The governor decided he was not appointing a replacement, and it was up to them to pick a substitute for the suspended commissioner while she stands trial.
But because the commission
didn't have a quorum, the time limit allowed for it to appoint someone expired--leaving commissioners no choice but to set up the special election.
Constituents of District 5 will get to pick her replacement.
However, the law doesn't prohibit Spence-Jones for running for her own seat again, despite being suspended.
Spence-Jones was re-elected with 83% of the vote in early November before her suspension.
Spence-Jones has played the race card in defending herself against the felony charges. "This nappy-headed girl has got her game on," on learning of her impending arrest last week. The commissioner, elected overwhelmingly in a general election earlier this month, said the charges against her have "nothing to do with the truth" and are only intended to remove her from office.
CBS4 News has learned that Jeff Torain will enter the race against Michelle Spence-Jones. He lost to her in the general election held Nov. 3rd.
CBS4's Daniel Lastra contributed to this report.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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