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She 'represented' district, but not as an incumbent

By Justin George, Times staff writer
In print: Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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The statement

"For the past two years Rachel Burgin has represented the residents of State House District 56, and she has served them well."

State Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-56, in a mailer from Burgin's campaign

The ruling

Rachel Burgin, 26, is a former legislative aide campaigning to succeed her boss, state Rep. Trey Traviesa. A recent mailer headlined "Rachel Burgin will get the job done" might lead some voters to think she was the incumbent.

Traviesa's quote lauds Burgin's representation of District 56 constituents for two years (the length of a legislative term). But nowhere in the literature does it mention that this representation was carried out in her capacity as an aide for Traviesa, who is not seeking re-election. It also says, "She's been a working partner with Representative Trey Traviesa on bipartisan initiatives that have cut our taxes, reformed state government and made Tallahassee more accountable to taxpayers."

"I would say it's awfully close to violating Florida law with respect to misrepresenting herself," said Daniel Smith, interim director of the University of Florida Political Campaigning Program, citing a law that bans candidates from using the word "re-elect" if they're not incumbents.

In an interview, Burgin says she represented voters while working for Traviesa by listening to their concerns and passing them on to Tallahassee legislators. She defined "represented" as such.

"I think 'represent' goes with the addresser of any specific task or need of any constituent in District 56, and that's what I did. I went to bat for them."

Legislative aides' duties include serving "as a liaison for constituents," according to the job description of an aide from the Florida House of Representatives. They also respond to questions "by seeking solutions to problems or assisting in the communication with appropriate agency."

All it would have taken was adding the words "As my aide" to the beginning of Traviesa's quote to earn the statement a rating of true. But in our view, this is an attempt to suggest Burgin, who has never held office, has credentials she does not.

We rate it half true.

Justin George, Times staff writer