Businessman Paul Spain is running for Congress again but he has set his eyes on a different seat than the one he ran for last time out.
This week, Spain launched his bid for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016. Last year, Spain was the Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., who was running for a second term. Frankel beat Spain 58 percent to 42 percent in the Democratic district, improving on her 2012 performance when she beat former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, 55 percent to 45 percent.
Spain stressed his record and experience as he launched a second congressional bid, further to the north of where he ran against Frankel.
"I believe I have the right background to be an effective and sensitive representative for District 18 residents,” Spain said on Thursday. “I'm a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and a successful businessman with a lifetime of community service. That service includes Chambers of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, a current member of the College of Financial Planning with Advanced Planning Certifications (AAMS, CRPS), and a member of Maggie's List, which promotes and supports efforts by women to hold public office.”
Spain’s team also praised the new candidate’s credentials.
"Paul is just the kind of leader needed in Washington today as he is a seasoned financial adviser with many years of business and community experience in the areas of finance, investments, health care, energy, technology and transportation," said Tom Madden, a spokesman for the Spain campaign.
"Spain has vital experience working with local, state, and federal agencies and perceptively understands Washington, which is no easy feat these days,” insisted Adrienne Mazzone, a spokeswoman for Spain. “He will work only for the people and not be influenced by outside interests.
"Paul will also be an advocate for women," Mazzone added. "He will be our best representative in seeing we have an effective and efficient government, accountable immigration policies, support for Israel, term limits, and he believes all Americans should have access to affordable health care."
Spain joins a crowded field running in the Republican primary in what is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation. Earlier this week, two other candidates -- veteran Brian Mast and attorney Rick Kozell -- entered the race.
Former state Rep. Carl Domino, who Murphy easily dispatched last year, St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery and Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron are already running for the Republican nomination. Conservative leader Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent who ran for Congress and the U.S. Senate in Maryland, congressional staffer Bill Castle, state Rep. Gayle Harrell, pundit Noelle Nikpour, Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith and businessman Gary Uber are looking at running for the Republican nomination.
On the Democratic side, two members of the Palm Beach County Commission -- Melissa McKinlay and Priscilla Taylor -- are already running. So is engineer Juan Xuna. Other possible candidates on the Democratic side include state Sen. Joe Abruzzo and St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
