House task force treads lightly in disputed Florida election

[Melissa G]

House task force treads lightly in disputed Florida election

Apr 17, 2007 6:19 PM (1 hr 44 mins ago)
By PHIL DAVIS, AP

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The House will weigh in on the disputed election in Florida's 13th Congressional District, but the time frame remained unclear Tuesday after the first meeting of a task force charged with investigating allegations of 18,000 lost votes in the race.


House Republicans said congressional intervention in the election dispute between Republican Vern Buchanan and Democrat Christine Jennings before state courts rule on the case is "premature and risky." But Jennings, who lost to Buchanan by 369 votes and is backed by Florida's nine Democratic representatives, said it is time for Congress to take up the issue because the lawsuit is bogged down in Florida appellate court.

Task force chairman Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas, said Tuesday the three members of the group - two Democrats and a Republican - will meet officially within two weeks to decide how to continue. He described Tuesday's private meeting with lawyers from both sides as a background briefing.

"We have a process in place that will serve both of them well and fairly," Gonzalez said. "Whatever decision made by the task force and the recommendation made to the full committee is not going to be made on partisan considerations. That's all I can guarantee you."

http://www.examiner.com/a-679306~House_task_force_treads_lightly_in_disputed_Florida_election.html