by Allene Gammage-Ahmed

ST. PETERSBURG -- U.S. Senate candidate Willie Logan, who is running with no party affiliation, continues his challenge to the two party system, making his way this week to Pinellas County for his statewide Motorcycle Tour which began on May 8th and will culminate in Key West on Independence Day (July 4th). Supporters and other motorcyclists will be escorting Logan on many of the various cities and counties he will roar into.

Logan's tour to St. Petersburg included a visit to the Weekly Challenger, St. Petersburg Times, Florida Trend, Florida Power, and Pinellas County Courthouse to meet and greet as many people as possible. On his tour, he was briefed by representatives of the media and by the Southwest Florida Water Management District relative to a variety of issues and concerns.

Logan stated he had spent a lot of time with 'the people' also visiting nursing homes, places of employment and many businesses.  "I am out there with the people, listening to what they want to talk about." 

Logan had never ridden a motorcycle before, but it was a relaxing, creative way to campaign. His
motorcycle riding has not placed him in that stereotypical category as it would most cyclists; he was dressed down for a change and very well received by those on his campaign trail. According to Logan, more than 500,000 bikers are his most, ardent supporters.

The A.B.A.T.E. of Florida motorcycle group will ride with Logan throughout his tour as a symbol of solidarity with his independent crusade to return government to ordinary citizens.

Logan said, "I encourage everyone who feels his or her voice isn't heard in Washington to get involved in my campaign for U.S. Senate and to join me on my motorcycle tour. You don't have to ride or own a motorcycle to be a part, just come out and show your support. The time has come to take our government back for the people and pull it away from this hostile corporate takeover," Logan concluded.

Logan also remarked, "Our motorcycle tour is a symbol of everything that's missing in American politics today.  Freedom to be your own person and not have your vision clouded by others. Freedom from being beholden to special interests that prevent you from doing what's right for the people of this country. Freedom from being chained to a political party that represents the rich by exploiting those less fortunate. Freedom to say what's right and to do something different for a change --to represent the real interests of the American people"

Although his party affiliation is neither Democratic nor Republican, Logan feels it's okay to be a candidate with no party affiliation, which has its advantages and disadvantages.  And of course, it is his privilege to be what he desires to be. "It takes nothing away from anyone and I have received a lot of encouraging, positive feedback," he says.

Logan is a strong advocate for readying all pre-schoolers for first grade, increasing teacher salaries and reducing class size, forcing weapons out of the hands of criminals who threaten the safety of our communities, eliminating campaign finance soft money loopholes, and strengthening expenditure disclosure laws.

The current state representative from Opa-Locka, who became at odds with the Democratic party when he was denied the House Speaker's job after being promised, is sensitive to social policies
that empower people, not government bureaucracies. He is cautiously aware of how the media has downplayed his purpose for running for U.S. Senate.

"We should all feel insulted when negative statements are made that I'm playing one party against the other in an effort to pull more votes from a specific party. I am working extremely hard to be a successful candidate for all concerned citizens. The campaign should not be based on race, instead, on issues and the qualifications of the individual to fill the position. Logan feels he has innovative leadership and considers himself one of the people's greatest team players. His campaign contributions speak honestly as to who his supporters are and are indicative that they come from very diversified backgrounds and from all walks of life.