Claws come out at Tiger Bay lunch

If Sarasota Tiger Bay Club members thought a July 5 luncheon for Sarasota Supervisor of Elections was heated, then they likely considered today’s event at Michael’s on East sweltering.

Ed Brodsky and Peter Lombardo, Republican candidates for the 12th Judicial District’s State Attorney Office traded attacks that got as personal as Lombardo asking if Brodsky was “endorsed by crack heads.”

Lombardo recently came under fire for appearing in a campaign advertisement sponsored by 1-800-ASK-GARY founder Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ PAC. Brodsky used several tactics to connect the two, including the question of Lombardo signs posted on businesses owned by Kompothecras.

Lombardo asserted that he isn’t affiliated with the PAC, and didn’t assist in production of the advertisement in question. “It’s not hard to get a picture of Peter Lombardo,” he said. “Those aren’t pictures,” Brodsky fired back. “You’re acting.”

While the two wrestled more with how a campaign should be run than why they should be the next State Attorney, John Torraco, a Democrat, quietly built support from the audience touting his experience and commitment to the core of the position. “Whether it’s 45,000 or 450,000 cases (that come through the State Attorney Office, seeking justice) is your ethical duty,” he said. “The alternative is injustice and that is not tolerable.”