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Politics

Neal Dunn Enters CD 2 With Allen Bense's Support, Draws Fire From Primary Rival Mary Thomas

August 7, 2015 - 12:45pm
Mary Thomas, Neal Dunn, and Allen Bense
Mary Thomas, Neal Dunn, and Allen Bense

Panama City urologist Dr. Neal Dunn launched a congressional bid Friday, even as a Republican primary opponent went on the attack, questioning his conservative credentials. 

With former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense in his corner, Dunn kicked off his campaign at a media event. Dunn is running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla. 

With the Florida Legislature holding a special session on congressional redistricting starting Monday, Graham’s district is set for major changes. The district currently sprawls across the Big Bend, taking in all of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington counties and parts of Holmes and Madison counties. Under the base map the Legislature unveiled this week, the district would bring in all of Bay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Jackson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, and Washington counties, less than half of the population of Leon County, most of Columbia County and fractions of the populations of Marion and Jefferson counties. With most of Democratic-leaning Leon County out of CD 2, it becomes far less favorable for Graham and her party. 

Dunn insisted in his campaign launch that he is “an unapologetic conservative with specific ideas about addressing the challenges we face as Floridians, and as Americans.”

An Army veteran, Dunn said he is “passionate about three issues in particular: health care, the economy and national security.”
 
“Over the next 15 months, you will hear my insights into how to get our economy back on track and growing again – the fact is, you can’t tax your way out of a recession, you have to grow your way out,” Dunn said.  “Additionally, you will hear my ideas about the important differences between the mega-banks and community banks like ours that are so important to the growth of locally-owned small businesses.”
 
Showcasing his background in medicine, Dunn promised to fight to “reform and replace Obamacare” and focus on economic issues. 

“I believe we can repair our economy and grow jobs and prosperity, and I believe we can make the world safer for our children and grandchildren,” Dunn said. “I believe we are one election way from American greatness, but we must make the right choices. I humbly ask the voters of Florida Congressional District 2 for their support of my candidacy for the United States Congress.”
 
“Dr. Neal Dunn would make a great congressman,” Bense said.  “He understands the challenges facing our local communities, our state and our nation, and I offer him my support as he embarks on this journey to become the next congressman for Florida Congressional District 2.”

Dunn does not have an open shot at the Republican nomination. Tallahassee attorney Mary Thomas, who worked in Gov. Rick Scott’s administration, is also running for the GOP nod. 

Thomas’ team went on the attack against the new candidate on Friday, trying to call his conservatism into question. 

Lisa Morrison, a spokeswoman for Thomas, sent a memo to the media with questions for Dunn. 

“Why did he contribute to Charlie Crist but not to Marco Rubio?” Morrison asked. “Why did he and the special interest group he worked for lobby for Obamacare? Why did he contribute to the Democratic congressman who represented this district? Why did he support liberal Senator Bill Nelson over conservative Congressman Connie Mack?”

Morrison wondered if Dunn “supports Democrats and supports Obamacare, why isn’t he running as a Democrat?”

Dunn sent Crist $1,000 when the then-governor was running for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination against Rubio in the 2010 election cycle. But that donation came in September 2009, months before Crist abandoned the GOP to continue his Senate bid with no party affiliation. Dunn did contribute to Nelson against Mack in 2012 and then-U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fla., in 2005 and 2006. 

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN 

Comments

Here's Mr. Dunn in a video, in his own words admitting he gave money to Democrats: http://hellofla.com/2015/08/19/neil-dunn-unapologetic-conservative-sparks-grassroots-anger/

Just ask the doctors in Bay County who have worked with him and we can all tell you he is the most dishonest, uncaring and nasty colleague we have ever worked with. He is a former physician whose only motivation is greed and power. What physician would chose to leave the profession before the age of sixty to become a banker? He doesn't have the moral fiber to be a congressman. He doesn't have the integrity to be a leader in the community. He is selfish, a lobbyist and a representative of special interest groups. He supports Obamacare, supports the dishonest turncoat Charlie Crist. He is an embarrassment to the medical community. He doesn't even practice medicine anymore. He is nothing more than a self-serving greedy banker. He is the representative of back-room politics, dirty deals, cronyism, good-old boy business and G-d forbid this guy ever gets elected.

Good article! Shows Mary Thomas as a candidate without any knowledge on what she's ready to attack another candidate with! Citing examples of his support for Democrats, even though untrue, must make voters concerned about her candidacy. If she is ready to wrongly attack another candidate with untrue information, just how truthful could she possibly be to the voters?

Dr. Neal Dunn did give to Democrats. It is true Mark. Read this Politico article: http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/florida/2015/08/8573822/donations-democrats-haunt-dunn-campaign-launch. After you read this article please correct your comment.

Allen Bense & "The Doctor"....."Same Old, Same Old" poltical rhetoric... Let's give Mary Thomas (someone whose family "lived the American Dream" a chance). Yes, she worked for the Governor (who has utilized reason and logic) during his successful tenure; and THAT shows her upstanding abilities and talent. "Bense & the Doc", on the other hand, reiterate bad memories of Charlie Crist, "do nothing Senator"--"Rocketship ride-along" Nelson, and ultimate 'loser' Allen Boyd [ALL three of these political losers ignored their constituents and ONLY were available to Lobbyists and moneyed campaign contributers] so WHY does anyone think "Doctor Dunn" would be different, he ALREADY "travels extensively in those circles"... YUP,.."same old, same old";...."Take two aspirins and call us in the morning Doc !"----- LET"S GIVE MARY THOMAS THE "REINS" FOLKS ! ! !------ (after all, Gwen Graham {former "Employee Relations Director" /what the hell is THAT?} has proven, in just a little over a year, that she is the "nepotistic spawn" of that same old "Crist, Nelson, Boyd and Graham" "school of 'good ole boy' "don't call me, I'll call you" political elitist class).

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