Man diverts 3 web names aimed at possible Florida candidates

Until Wednesday, when you typed in Morgan2018.com or Graham 2018.com or Gillum2018.com, your browser took you to the web page of GOP candidate Adam Putnam.

Putnam campaign officials say they didn’t do it, and they don’t know Joe Mizereck, the man who registered the web addresses.

Mizereck said he is just a fan of Putnam having some fun with potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates. But after being interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, he took down the sites, and now they’re for sale.

“I thought it would be best for everyone,” Mizerack said, adding none of the campaigns asked him to shut down the sites.

After news surfaced during the presidential campaign that Jebbush.com forwarded to Donald Trump’s campaign website, Mizereck got his idea.

He guessed the three Democrats were likely candidates for the governor’s seat and purchased the domains for about $9 apiece.

John Morgan, the Orlando attorney still pondering a bid for governor, was tipped off on Twitter over the weekend. He took it lightheartedly, tweeting Putnam asking for 10 percent of the donations he received from the Morgan2018 domain.

He said he doubted Putnam was involved.

“What I think it is, is you get these little dirty trick political operative types that just graduated from student government elections and they think they’re being cute, but it really does the candidate more harm than good,” said Morgan.

He continued, “He can have that domain…I have several others that are better.”

Andrew Gillum’s spokesman Geoff Burgan said this was “a typical Republican bait and switch.”

In an email, Matt Harringer, a spokesman for Gwen Graham’s campaign, said, "What can we say? Floridians are entrepreneurial and resourceful. And after twenty stagnant years of one-party rule in Tallahassee — Floridians kinda have to be. To change that, visit GwenGraham.com.”

The other local Democrat in the race, Winter Park businessman Chris King, was able to avoid a similar fate. King2018.com is a website in Chinese that advertises paint.

Mizereck, 63 of Tallahassee, said he was impressed with Putnam when he saw him speak and feels he’s the best man for the job.

“He’s a very smart guy,” Mizereck said. “He’s done a great job building his department.”