Ousted Judge Files as Candidate in Florida Governor’s Race
Former U.S. Judge Alcee L. Hastings, removed from office last week after the Senate convicted him on impeachment charges, filed Monday as a candidate in the 1990 Florida governor’s race.
Hastings, 53, filed with the state Division of Elections to open a campaign account as a Democrat. He has sought public office unsuccessfully on two other occasions.
Hastings said that the notoriety from his impeachment trial would benefit him in his effort to win the Democratic nomination.
He said that more people in Florida know him than know his Democratic opponents, Rep. Bill Nelson of Melbourne and state Sen. George Stuart of Orlando.
The Senate found Hastings guilty of conspiring to accept a $150,000 bribe.
But Hastings said: “I believe myself to be a man of honor and integrity. I have not committed any crime at any time.”
Hastings said he would discuss the impeachment hearings early in his gubernatorial campaign, but hoped the focus would soon shift to matters relevant to the governor’s race.
“My interests, I believe, are the interests of the people of Florida,” Hastings said.
Hastings ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1970 and for the Public Service Commission in 1974.
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