State Senate candidate alleges she was fired for being a Democrat

By Gabrielle Sarann

CREATED Oct. 31, 2012

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  • A southwest Florida woman running to represent you in the state Senate says she was fired from her day job for being a democrat. Video by fox4now.com

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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Debbie Jordan is running as Democrat in heavily republican southwest Florida. So, she says she was ready for some rejection. But she alleges her bosses took it to a whole new level. 

Since March, Hotel Indigo manager Debbie Jordan says she's made sure the bar, lounge and restaurant ran smoothly.

"You know when you're doing a good job, when your customers are happy and your staff is happy," said Jordan, of Fort Myers, a single mom to four grown children.

Until last week, when her boss said she was fired.

"We're going in a different direction," said Jordan. "And then two seconds later, it was, 'So I heard you've been seen with a bunch of democrats'," She later"Well, you're running for office, you can't be running for office. 34)

The 54-year-old is a devoted democrat. She's running for state Senate District 30.

"I don't mix my work with this election," emphasized Jordan.

Every chance she gets, Jordan's been campaigning outside the Lee County Elections Office in downtown Fort Myers.

"What do you say to those who feel you're doing this a publicity stunt to get more votes?" asked Fox 4 reporter Gabrielle Sarann. "Well, first of all I'm not doing this as a publicity stunt because I'd much rather be having a job and making sure i can provide for my family," replied Jordan.

The Hotel Indigo declined to comment. But by phone, the human resources director called Jordan a "disgruntled employee."

"I'm not a disgruntled employee," Jordan responded, while shaking her head.

Jordan says she's disappointed and hurt. But more importantly, is standing up for what she says is right.

"Don't let anybody intimidate you," said Jordan. "If you have a belief and you want to run for something, want to vote for somebody, you need to do that."

We also reached out to Jordan's opponent, incumbent Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto. In a statement she said, "I would be very disappointed to learn that a group would punish any citizen for participating in our democracy. i respect the choice of anyone who offers to serve and puts herself before the voters."