These events mark the first time in Florida history that an African American and an independent will have the opportunity to stand in direct contrast to the Republican and Democratic candidates and offer an alternative perspective to politics as usual. Logan’s participation is a refreshing deviation from big money politics and a far cry from the back and forth bickering of the major party candidates.  Representative Logan’s invitation to participate in televised debates proves that African American candidates for statewide office have come a long way.

In the previous televised and other head to head U.S. Senate candidate debates, the audiences witnessed stark differences between Logan and his Republican and Democratic opponents. For the first time in Florida history, voters saw and heard a real challenge to the special interest-driven two party system of politics as usual.

As Logan has said: "My opponents both engage in cash register politics, collecting tens of millions of dollars from the corporate elite and special interests to buy what should not be for sale, a seat in our U.S. Senate. I will work hard to earn this seat and then, when elected, be beholden only to the people of Florida, not to the corporate elite."

"I refuse to participate in their partisan bickering or cling, as each of them do, to a party's positions whether or not they are best for Floridians. I am the only candidate who is not wealthy, who knows what it means to have to go to work everyday. I am going to the U.S. Senate to continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, not to represent parties or special interests or Big Money, but to represent the hardworking people of this State."

Logan, 43, who has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 1982 and represents Northwest Miami-Dade County, announced last September that he would run for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat as an independent candidate. Prior to his election to the Florida House, Logan was elected Mayor of Opa-locka at age 23, at the time the youngest mayor in the United States. In the Florida Legislature, he has consistently ranked as one of the Florida House's most effective members. Following both the 1998 and 1999 sessions, Logan was ranked "most effective Democrat in the Legislature" and has been commended on his ability to work on a bipartisan basis to secure support for his constituents and issues affecting the entire state.

Noting that the U.S. Senate currently does not include a single person of African American or Hispanic descent or elected outside the two-party system, Logan said he is running in part to "challenge politics as usual and the campaign system that requires a candidate to be a millionaire or spend like a millionaire in order to win." Logan said that when he is elected, he will bring the concerns of average citizens from Florida’s many diverse cultures directly to the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Willie Logan will be on the general election ballot going head on against Republican Bill McCollum and Democrat Bill Nelson. Readers should tune in to the debates featuring Logan and witness history in the making. They can be scene on the following dates, times and stations:

Sunday, October 15, 2000, 8:00 p.m., All PBS Stations 

Monday, October 23, 2000,  7:00 p.m., All NBC Stations