U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., is going to bat for a congressman in South Florida and Democrats are looking to make an issue of it.
On Monday, Ryan sent out a fundraising email on behalf of U.S Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., who is expected to be a top target for Democrats in the 2016 elections.
In the email, Ryan insisted the stakes were high in November.
“Will we continue down the path of President Obama’s failed liberal policies, or will we chart a new course towards a smaller and more responsible government?" Ryan asked. “To help chart this new course, we need principled conservative leaders in Congress like Carlos Curbelo.
“Nancy Pelosi is furiously fundraising for his opponent," Ryan added. “It should surprise no one that his race was recently rated a ‘pure toss up’ and is one of the most competitive in the nation.
“I know Carlos is exactly the type of leader that can make a difference for our nation, but Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi have targeted him in their effort to retake the house next year,” Ryan insisted.
Former Miami Dade County Democratic Party Chairwoman Annette Taddeo, best known for being former Gov. Charlie Crist’s running mate in the 2014 gubernatorial race, is running for the Democratic nomination against Curbelo and has reeled in much of the support of her party’s leadership. Despite that former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., who Curbelo beat in 2014, and businessman Andrew Korge are looking at running for the Democratic nomination.
Taddeo’s team looked to rally its supporters on Tuesday, forwarding the message from Ryan and noting it shows what's at stake in the race.
“We knew Speaker Paul Ryan would do whatever it takes to keep his pal Rep. Carlos Curbelo in Congress,” Taddeo’s team fired back before urging supporters to back their candidate to “turn South Florida blue.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
