INCUMBENT NEEDELMAN TROUNCES JAMES

MELBOURNE -- Incumbent Republican Mitch Needelman defeated Democratic
challenger Jodi James on Tuesday night in a campaign that continuously
rooted itself in differences regarding drug issues.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Needelman won with 33,403
votes (66.9 percent) to James' 16,561 votes (33.1 percent).

The campaign had its ugly moments. James accused Needelman, retired from
law enforcement, of coercion after he told her he would let the public know
about her felony drug conviction of 1988. James sold LSD to an undercover
officer and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. She served less than a
year before being released.

The two candidates also clashed on James' stance regarding using marijuana
for medicinal purposes and proposing rehabilitation instead of
incarceration. Needelman argued that those in prison normally are there for
things other than simply drug use.

Needelman said the election opened his eyes.

"There are people out there running on a drug agenda," he said. "It's time
we take a stand against this. It's time to stand up to the myths. I will be
on the front stage against this."

Needelman announced Tuesday that he will be deeply involved with the newly
formed Citizens for a Drug-Free Florida, here in Brevard County.

James, executive director of the Florida Cannabis Action Network, supports
legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, as well as drug-policy
reform. As a political neophyte, James said getting 33 percent of the votes
was phenomenal. She also said this was not the end of her political career.

"Needelman will do well to represent my point of view or he will see me
again in two years," James said, adding her opponent spent much more money
on his campaign than she did.