Although even Democratic activists backed Bush's decision, Oliphant, the only African American holding a county-wide office at the time, enjoyed much support from the black community which reacted negatively to her ouster.
Alan Schreiber, head of Broward County's Public Defender's office, helped Oliphant in her re-election campaigns.
She hired a college admissions representative who didn't even know what a primary election was and put her in charge of registration and absentee ballots.
Due to Oliphant not hiring enough poll workers during the same 2002 primary, precinct voting locations had to open late and close early.
A state administrative law judge who heard the case agreed with Oliphant, who claimed she was not intentionally neglectful.