Saturday, October 11, 2008
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Delray Beach - It’s a familiar story. A newcomer to the district with no money challenges an incumbent with loads of it.

In the race for the state House District 87 seat, Rep. Adam Hasner, R- Delray Beach, will face Rob L. Ostrov, a former prosecutor from New York.

Despite raising only a fraction of what Hasner has, Ostrov said he has things in his favor: growing discontent with Republicans, a district that has seen a drop in the number of registered Republicans, and moderate Democratic values he said would appeal to voters.

“My objective is to urge people to look at [Hasner’s] voting record and realize he is not who he says he is,” Ostrov said.

As of Oct. 2, Hasner had raised almost $687,743 and spent $255,976. Ostrov had raised $24,776 and spent $21,278.

Until 2004, Ostrov, 45, was an assistant district attorney for 10 years in the New York City area and an administrative law judge appointed by then-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He specialized in prosecuting white-collar crime, including crimes against senior citizens.

He’s now a corporate counsel for Structured Asset Funding in Hallandale Beach.

Hasner, the House majority leader, said that because Ostrov doesn’t live in the district, he can’t relate to issues that are important to its residents.

“He has no ties or connections to this community or this district,” Hasner said of Ostrov, who lives in Wellington but plans to move into the district if elected.

Hasner said he has run a campaign based on the issues, including energy initiatives. He said he supported clean energy programs that give tax credits and incentives to businesses and residents who purchase solar panels. He said he has supported alternative-fuel legislation.

Ostrov contends his opponent is one of the most partisan Republicans in Tallahassee and has pandered to special interests.

“I’m not beholden to oil companies,” Ostrov said. “Hasner gets … contributions from Chevron.”

Ostrov said that if elected, he would eliminate the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and increase teacher salaries. He’d also like to reduce property insurance rates.