Businessman Paul Spain pulled out of the race for the seat congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016 and instead intends to seek a rematch with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla.
Spain made the announcement at a recent GOP event, but he’s no stranger to facing off against Frankel.
Back in 2014, Spain was the Republican challenger to Frankel 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 when he launched a second congressional bid over the summer.
"I believe I have the right background to be an effective and sensitive representative for District 18 residents,” Spain said when he kicked off his bid. “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 their candidate’s credentials when he announced he would make a second congressional effort.
"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."
But Spain garnered little traction in a crowded field of Republican candidates which included veteran Brian Mast, Republican leader Rick Kozell, former state Rep. Carl Domino, who Murphy defeated in 2014 and Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron
Spain threw his support to Mast who praised his former rival on Thursday.
"I would like to thank Paul Spain for his support of my campaign,” Mast said. “He ran a very honorable, respectable and substantive campaign, and I wish him the best of luck, as well as offer my support for in his new congressional campaign against Lois Frankel.”
Spain does not have an open shot at Frankel as Carlos Fernandez and Sean Standard are already running for the Republican nomination in the district.
After the latest round of redistricting, Frankel and Spain are running in a Palm Beach County district where Democrats have a clear edge, making up 46 percent of the district in 2012 while 27 percent of voters there are registered Republicans.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
