State Rep. Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach, launched a second bid for Congress on Thursday and reeled in the support of one of the Republican candidates who was already in the race.
After losing out to Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary back in 2012, Costello is now running to replace his old rival. DeSantis is running for the U.S. Senate.
“Many have encouraged me to again run for...Congress,” Costello announced. “They appreciate my core conservative values, principled leadership and believe I am uniquely qualified and well prepared to serve in Congress.”
Costello promised to serve only four terms in Congress and insisted he was currently focused on his work in Tallahassee. He promised to focus on national security, support the Fair Tax proposal and fight to return education policy back to the states.
The new candidate also looked to appeal to religious and social conservatives in his announcement, noting his background in the military and as a small businessman, his faith and his stance on immigration.
“We must restore the Judeo-Christian family values upon which our country was founded that include welcoming people of all faiths who want to come to our country legally so God will continue to bless America,” Costello insisted. “I’m ready, willing and able to take my military background, small business ownership mentality and Tallahassee balanced budget experience to Washington. My commitment to you is that I will listen, maintain the highest ethics, follow our core conservative principles and do everything I can do to assure that our grandchildren have the same opportunities and freedoms we all too often thoughtlessly enjoy.”
Former New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer announced on Thursday he would bow out of the race and throw his support to Costello.
"When I learned that Fred Costello and David Santiago were both going to join this race it became clear to me that a divided Volusia County would hand the election over to someone from out of the district,” Barringer said on Thursday. “For the first time since 1992, Volusia/Flagler accounts for over 70 percent of the constituency of District Six. We need a united Volusia County in the Republican primary to win the general election and we cannot allow a 'carpetbagger' to come in and steal this election. Accordingly, I am announcing that I will no longer be a candidate for Congress and I am putting my full support behind a fellow business owner and former Ormond Beach mayor, state Representative Dr. Fred Costello.
“Fred is the best conservative Republican candidate from Volusia County to represent us in the U.S. House,” Barringer added. “I urge all of my supporters, donors, those who signed my petitions or endorsed my candidacy to join me in backing Fred Costello for Congressional District Six."
“I am truly honored that when Mayor Adam Barringer heard I would be entering the race for Congressional District 6, he called me to tell me that he believed I was the best candidate to represent us in Washington and therefore he was going to terminate his campaign and endorse me in the congressional race,” Costello noted. “I was humbled and speechless. I told him that I truly consider it a high honor to have his support! Adam Barringer is not only a local hero but also a man of integrity as demonstrated by his selfless act of true patriotism.”
Costello faces a growing primary field even with Barringer heading towards the sideline. Attorney Malcom Anthony, businessman G.G. Galloway, Brandon Patty, a Navy veteran who worked as an aide to Gov. Jeb Bush, and state Rep. David Santiago, R-Deltona, are all running for the Republican nomination. Businessman Bill McCullough, attorney George Pappas and state Rep. Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, are running in the Democratic primary. Richard Paul Dembinsky is running with no party affiliation.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
