Candidates in a South Florida U.S. House race are bringing in congressional leaders to rally the troops during the last days of the second quarter fundraising period.
Running against U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., former Miami-Dade Democratic Chairwoman Annette Taddeo turned to U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Monday. Pelosi sent out a fundraising email on Taddeo’s behalf.
Praising Taddeo as a “voice for hard-working South Florida families,” Pelosi insisted national Republicans will go all out to help Curbelo.
“Outside Republican groups spent $6 million in this district last year," Pelosi wrote. “Speaker Boehner and his campaign arm are already launching attacks at Annette.”
Curbelo’s team responded on Tuesday with U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., who has represented parts of South Florida in Congress for more than 25 years. Ros-Lehtinen, the former chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and currently the chairwoman of the House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, proved an effective surrogate for Curbelo during his successful campaign to oust then-U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., last year.
“To address the problems facing America, we need leaders in Congress who can put party politics aside and get things done," Ros-Lehtinen insisted on Tuesday. “Carlos Curbelo has spent the last six months doing just that. I’m proud to work with him for the causes that unite South Florida. He told me recently that his race is one of the most competitive in the nation, and how Nancy Pelosi is planning on spending big to beat him.”
Ros-Lehtinen took a shot at Taddeo, who challenged her back in 2008 and resurfaced last year as former Gov. Charlie Crist’s running mate on the Democratic ticket that failed to defeat Gov. Rick Scott. The South Florida congresswoman jabbed Taddeo for moving into the district, a tactic currently being used by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) against the Democrat.
“Imagine how surprised I was when I heard my old opponent, Annette Taddeo, was tapped to run against Carlos. If she couldn’t win in the district she actually lives in, why do the Democrats think she can win now?" Ros-Lehtinen asked. “”I know South Floridians deserve leaders who fight for their communities, not politicians who are constantly searching for a race they might win. That’s why I’m proud to stand with Carlos Curbelo."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
