Criminal defense attorney Gary Ostrow announced to the Pulp tonight that he is dropping out of the Broward Public Defenders race.
"I'm not a politician so I'll just leave it for the politicans to do," said Ostrow. "I can't do the backstabbing shit they do. I honestly don't know what I was thinking when I decided to run in the first place. This isn't for me at all. I just thank God I have a strong private practice and that's what I'll be doing."
Ostrow (said) a forthcoming article in the Sun-Sentinel -- a newspaper he loathes -- helped prompt the decision. He pleaded guilty Friday in Tallahassee to a cocaine possession charge that made news early in his campaign. The case, stemming from his May 2 arrest at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, is being transferred to the Broward Drug Court. Ostrow said he intends to complete the court's drug program, which includes therapy and random drug tests and was designed by Broward Circuit Judge Mark Speiser, a friend of Ostrow's.
"I'm committed to doing what I got to do and I'm on schedule right now," he said.
Upon successful completion of the program, the case will be dismissed, he said. Then all that will be left for Ostrow to hurdle is the Florida Bar.
"I hope and expect that if I do the right thing, they'll be fair with me," said the veteran defense attorney. "I'm in control of my destiny right now."
Ostrow loaned $200,000 to his campaign during his bid to unseat Howard Finkelstein. He said he never made any campaign expenditures, though he did spend some of it on personal things (Ostrow says he reimbursed the money and is square with the elections office).
Ostrow was running as a Republican. Finkelstein will square off with attorney Alex Arreaza during next Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Sentenced to be tortured by Marcia Beach: I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I wonder how many Ostow supporters will be begging Howard for their jobs back?
The old guard is sooooo pathetic and impotent.
Finklestein is going to really torture the stupid losers now that they've made him angry.
In the link to the sun sentinel, even though howard is older, he looks younger then alex.
Looks like the temporary inconvenience Ross & Co. perpetrated in getting Arreaza and Ostrow to square off against Finkelstein has like most everything else they plan, reached an abrupt end for the long run.
Now only Arreaza remains to get the boot as the numbers start to come in after the 26th.
One really has to wonder what they thought they were doing in the first place.
Ostrow almost admits he was talked into it and now regrets his decision to comply with the wishes of his not so best friends now is the way I read it.
It's pretty sad how they continue to try to manipulate things when it comes to their political aims.
I think they can't be too happy about the way its turned out for them.
Is Arreaza really campaigning at all or has he given up the ghost along with Ostrow? What's he going to run for next?
Hey, Gary: Why not come out and tell the real reason you ran against Finkelstein. Everybody knows you're a smart guy. Maybe you just had some bad advice?
It's gotta be one of the weirdest races for PD in Broward's history.
Yes... the end approaches... but for who, I wonder? CRACKHEAD BOY/GIRL FINKELSTEIN OR STRAIGHTMAN ARREAZA?
Arreaza won't get 12 percent of the vote if that.
What happened to the slam bang motion? Illegal stop and all that? So it is true? This lawyer walks into an airport and forgets his stash in his coat in the year 2008? Joke.
It is nice to know the Judge Ross is so powerful that he was able to get to people to run against finkelstein. Guess Judge Ross is still quite the powerhouse. How many will run against Finkelstein next time, this wasn't tohard for the opponents, but it sure made Finkelstein and Supervisors work hard for several months and the mental anguish, no incumbent including finkelstein wants to draw an opponent, and by the way there is still that chance come tuesday that Arreaza wins, even with all your jokes this weekend is going to be tough for finkelstein and supervisors, so have a good weekend and someone will see finkelstein in 4 years. And people aren't threatened by finkelstein, it is really a joke when you say you have made howi very mad, everyone is still laughing that he drew opponents, he is the talk of all the counties.
A-Turd in his regularly misplaced political commentary omits once again a fact that is staring him squarely in the face, but for his political alliances he can not see.
Ross and his political croneys' influence is on the wane. If Ostrow and Arreaza are the best candidates Ross could come up with, his political basket of tricks is looking rather empty these days, not to mention impotent.
You have accomplished nothing A-Turd but awakened a giant that can squash you like the worm you are when its convenient to do so by creating an environment for his people to rally gaining strength.
Your strength by the looks of it is as soft as your commentary.
Howard's office is used to hard work, for they are as dedicated and morally focused as you are not.
Your time as self-acclaimed arbiter of Broward Politics is almost over.
Its good to know Ostrow is on schedule right now. Whose schedule is the question.
Thank you Bob for actually reporting the news in this town. If we had to rely on the Sentinel or Herald always protecting all their sources, we'd never get an unbiased report of anything of interest.
Another Republican scandal? Heard the words "Self Righteous" before? Thought they'd cause Finkelstein to work up a sweat by coming up with a Democrat and a Republican to stretch the process out until November? Well, they've fallen short of the mark, haven't they? It's more like an afternoon at a day spa. No sweat!
PAGING A-TURD TO YOUR BOSS JUDY IMMEDIATELY. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?
Ostrow is pals with Speiser? Did Speiser have something to do with his campaign against Finklestein?
In the sun sentinel comments, the comments are very negative towards howard finkelstein. It is nice to see that Ostrow and Speiser are friends, and it seems as though the judges have a lot more power than finkelstein, that you seem to think that judges got these guys to run against finkelstein, go judges then. Maybe his (finkelstein) drug arrest years ago is his reason for so much animosity towards the judges, very sad.
I'm sure insane anti-Howard guy has been tapping away at the Sentinel all morning. Maybe Arreaza will wimp out too instead of getting a report card with 10 percent on it.
Exit polls conducted last night over a 3 hour period indicate Arreaza is leading in the early voting by 3:1
To 1:25
Thats good. Because the ones conducted during the day, while the poles are open, show Howard with nearly 100%. The ones at night are meaningless.
poll 4 other people besides alex and his family
michael hamaway offers coaching in backstabbing.
the most corrupt members of the third reich are at MOMBACH BOYLE HARDIN JUDGE PIMP........ THE PRINCESS IS MICHAEL HAMAWAY.
Polling was done from 3p to 6p. How that makes them meaningless I don't understand. But that's ok, since you idiots have all the answers. I'm sure you did a little polling of your own, right? Right. Buffoons.
Haven't stopped laughing since I got home to read the flier in my mail comparing Lamack's record to Israel's. It's titled "Something Smells, You Compare" followed by a litany of reasons why Scott Israel isn't fit for the job of Sheriff.
Something smells alright, but it's Sprinkles that's emitting the all too familiar odor of political smut and mud slinging. You "Compare" if you can stop laughing.
Wait until you read "Because any one of us might have to go to court someday.." Retain Judge Catalina Avalos for county judge.
I especially like the part about how she trained and supervised over two hundred lawyers.
I'm back... Girls at the high school I went to used to lie about their qualifications all the time. It was no big deal.
Is the exit poll info published anywhere? Where can I find it?