Key West Attorney Michael "Mick" Barnes is running for State Attorney, a chair that's been occupied by incumbent Kirk Zuelch for 20 years.
"I've pledged to run a positive campaign," he said Wednesday. "But I knew when I signed up that it would be a rough ride. And, in fact, I've been hearing for a couple of months that the other side has been almost desperately looking for something they can use to try to derail my campaign momentum.
"Actually, I can understand that," he said. "There seems to be some people in this county who badly need the incumbent to stay in office. During the campaign, we may learn who and why.
"I assume that these people have delved into my background and, from what I've heard, the worst thing they've come up with is my association with a small family business that failed while I was away attending law school 10 years ago," Barnes said.
"I was one of three people involved in a little convenience store. When it started to fail, I had the choice of leaving law school to return and try to help save it— or stay in law school. I opted to stay in law school.
"The business had been financed by a loan from a bank," Barnes said. "And when the store went out of business, the bankers still wanted their money.
"I have never denied that I owe my fair share of that debt," he said, "and, as we speak, I have an attorney working with me to satisfy the bank.
"From what I've heard, the other side really wants to try to make something out of this," Barnes said. "But I feel sure that the voters will be able to tell the difference between ancient history and current events.
"I can't control how others run their campaigns, but I can control how I run mine," Barnes said. "My opponents should not, however, assume that my aversion to mudslinging means that I will be running a patticake campaign. I won't."
Barnes faces Tavernier attorney Mark Kohl in the Republican primary election on Sept. 5. The winner will challenge Zuelch in the general election Nov. 7.
KWTN asked Barnes why he's running.
"My campaign slogan just about says it all," he said. "Equal justice for all."