A supposed controversy around a book written by Florida State Senate President Mike Haridopolos is a non-issue that his political opponents are seeking to take advantage of, he tells Newsmax.
“When you’re running for office, trying to change America, people are going to throw a lot of things at you, and I just have to withstand the slings and arrows,” he says.
Haridopolos wrote the book about politics over a four-year period beginning in 2004, while he was in the Senate, and was paid a total of $152,000 by Brevard Community College in Florida. There is reportedly only one physical copy of the book, at the community college.
Haridopolos, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Bill Nelson, discussed the issue in an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV. He is viewed as a strong candidate, which is why he has come under Democratic attack so early in the game.
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“I’ve been a teacher and an author since 1993, and prior to this book, I’d written another book,” he says.
“So I was approached by the college to write another book that would be a benefit to all students, not just here at Brevard Community College but potentially around the country.
“They approached me with the idea of writing the book over four years about what it’s like to run for office and be in office.
“Over the course of the four years, I took a pay cut from my old job to do this. And as far as our critics are concerned, welcome to politics. This is just one way they go after us.”
Asked why there is only one copy of the book, Haridopolos responds: “I’m not sure why. But the college, it’s their book. I wrote it and they control the copyright. As far as I understand, right now [an e-book download] is on amazon.com for anyone who wants to purchase it.”
All proceeds from the e-book will go to Brevard Community College.
Haridopolos said he was paid $38,000 a year for four years and also lectured and brought in guest speakers for entrepreneurial seminars at the college.
“So as an employee of the college I fulfilled that requirement. They asked me to stay on further. I chose to pursue other endeavors.”
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