Trantalis as puppet

In a series of ads sent by a pro-Roberts PAC, voters were told that “Fort Lauderdale needs a leader — not a liar.”

A puppet version of Trantalis, with bright red lipstick and rouge, was blasted by some voters as homophobic, because Trantalis is gay.

The ads highlight several of Trantalis’ actions as a commissioner. One ad says he supported raises for elected officials, but not for public safety personnel and general employees.

Another says Trantalis claimed at a city meeting to have a “bombshell” report from the county tying green canal water to the city’s sewage spills. The document Trantalis handed out, though, was written by his aide, not county environmental officials.

“If Dean’s lips are moving, it’s probably fiction!” one of the ads said.

Trantalis said the flamboyant outfits lampooned him and “denigrated the entire community.”

Roberts said in campaign debates that there was no anti-gay intent.

He said the point of the ads was to highlight his opponent’s lack of “veracity.”

The ads were sent by the PAC Florida Community Alliance, run by Tallahassee attorney Mark Herron, who has ties to Roberts’ campaign manager Stern. Roberts acknowledged his involvement in the ad at a debate sponsored by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Trantalis