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Politics

Todd Wilcox Leaves Senate Race, Backs Marco Rubio

June 24, 2016 - 9:45am
Todd Wilcox
Todd Wilcox

On Friday, businessman and Army veteran Todd Wilcox ended his bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. 

While Wilcox had been insisting he would stay in the race, even as Marco Rubio filed to run for a second term earlier this week, he ended his campaign on Friday. As he pulled out of the race, Wilcox endorsed Rubio.

"A year ago I decided to run for the United States Senate because I firmly believe that who we are as a nation is being challenged by evil threats around the world and, sometimes just as dangerously, by liberal influences here at home,” Wilcox said. “I entered this race because I know in my gut that if we are to reverse course and preserve the liberties and freedoms so many brave men and women have laid down their lives in pursuit of, we must keep this seat in the Republican Party. There is no doubt that Republican control of the Senate is the only way to preserve the constitutional integrity of our Supreme Court, realign our military’s force structure and ensure the basic freedoms and liberties that make ours the greatest country in the world.

"We must bring to an end this era of politics in Florida where deep pockets go to great lengths to buy elections – dismissing voters as nothing more than ratings points in a media buy, forsaking the grassroots advocates for whom the Republican Party exists and refusing to substantively debate the most important issues facing our state and nation,” Wilcox added. "Elections have consequences and eleven days ago an enemy I know all too well horrifically ended 49 lives and forever changed countless more just 15 miles from where I tucked my family in that night. It’s easy to get caught up in the ideological theater that unfolds in Washington DC, but Orlando should serve as a reminder that life and death decisions are being made each and every day by the people we elect.

"While I support Donald Trump because he is the Republican nominee, I can’t predict who will win the White House in November,” Wilcox continued. “What I can do is impact who Florida sends to the United States Senate to challenge our next president should they try to dismantle our Constitution, put politics above principle or choose to ignore the needs of our service men and women, both past and present.

"As a leader, I have always taught my team that changing course after devising a plan doesn't mean you give up on the mission, it just means you have to find a new path. So today, with a clear understanding of the impact that recent changes have had in this race, that's just what I'm going to do,” Wilcox said before throwing his support to Rubio. 

"With all that is at stake, I have decided to end my campaign for the United Senate and support Marco Rubio in his bid to keep this seat in the Republican Party,” Wilcox said. “Senator Rubio and I don’t agree on everything. We've traveled different paths, but I respect his grasp of the challenges we face and I appreciate the reality that he, as the incumbent, is best positioned to defeat either Patrick Murphy or Alan Grayson in November. We cannot allow either of these liberal Democrats to carry on the disastrous policies of the Obama administration – Floridians deserve better.

"Unless you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to explain what traveling all over this great state for the last year has been like,” Wilcox concluded. “I've talked to so many people who genuinely and thoughtfully want to share their ideas about how to make our country the best it can possibly be. I am grateful to each and every hardworking conservative I met along the way who took time away from their families, their work or their weekends to give me a chance to earn their support. I am humbled by the encouragement of my supporters and the depth of their faith and confidence in me. I don’t take any of this lightly and it is something I will never be able to thank them for enough. To our volunteers and my team, I am forever grateful for your hard work, professionalism and commitment to the mission. Finally, I want to thank my wife Christine and our girls, Tori, Danielle and Hayden for their patience, understanding and support over the last year. It has always been and will continue to be because of them that I fight for our great nation, whether on the battlefield, in my business or at the ballot box."

Wilcox left his post as CEO of Patriot Capital back in January 2015 to launch his Senate bid. An Army veteran who saw combat and a former member of the CIA, Wilcox stressed national security and international issues in his campaign. 

With Wilcox out, Rubio faces businessman Carlos Beruff in the Republican primary. Congressman David Jolly left the race last week to run for another term in the House even before Rubio officially got back in the race. Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Congressman Ron DeSantis bowed out of the race after Rubio jumped in. 

Comments

So much for the outsiders....... Little did anyone know for the exception of a few individuals that the real dark horse in this race would have been The Swampfox. Unfortunately, that was cut short two weeks ago by a sibling dying unexpectedly and a parent needing serious assistance thereafter. Be as it may we are back to the best of the worse choice for senate. Carlos Beruff isn't even a choice if he's even still in the race. How pathetic. After learning more about Marco Rubio, I am appalled at his attendance record over the past 6 yrs. and his lack of doing nothing. His main purpose running for senate was to be POTUS. We know where that got him, and now it looks like he is the only sane choice (the best of the worse) given the candidates in the race. There is no doubt the money and political machine in Washington will be full bore behind him. Even with those odds I believe he was beatable because the voters would have had a real choice to contend with one that would not run from the site of the power brokers. One that wasn't interested in re-election but instead, making the changes, and getting our country back on track. One that knows about SSI, Medicare and the wasteful spending that would fund the necessities of the taxpayers and not the illegals. Holding congress to stricter laws than the ones they pass on us because we are trusting them with OUR MONEY! I could fill this column up with my campaign platform but "at this point what difference does it make!" A famous quote that will come back to bite her....

NEVER run again Todd,... now that we've seen your true subservient "colors" 'running' to the political "establismnent" rather than to "We The People"....."We" won't forget...EVER !

"Swamp".. Is THAT you?!? (had I only known... Mea culpa).

I will remain as Francis Marion aka. The Swampfox as James Madison used the pseudonym Publius Valerius Publicola while writing the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. They say timing is everything and the timing for me due to family issues couldn't have been any more disastrous for the run, not to mention the untimely death of my brother and a mother very ill then losing her son. My family comes first there wasn't a second thought. It was humbling to see this being played out within the past week watching the leaders one by one capitulate to the powers to be. FYI... I had them in the cross hairs on the issues and their fake "outsider mantras" everyone of them including the coffee cup teleprompter ad guy. If you love this country and the principles it was founded upon we need to focus on the presidential election. While we may not care for our options in the senate we have to consider hedging our bet making sure that we get either both seats or at least one. God for once I would just like to vote without having to hold my nose!! for otiose of you that may not know who the Swampfox was or what his role in the revolutionary war was look it up. That's what we need in congress not three bathrooms in the White House or in Cannon Hall.

Very familiar with Francis Marion, "Swamp"... (God bless, and Good Luck !)

What C Breeze says! GO TRUMP!!

Taking donations is unconstitutional, therefore Dr. Tolbert does not take donations because he believes it does more harm to the community than good good Press release Dr. Tolbert served in Vietnam and his father served in World War II. Dr. Tolbert received numerous Army commendation medals, numerous Bronze Star Medals and several Meritorious Service Medals and awards while serving 22 years of military service, then retired as a master sergeant. Many Americans are not aware of the fact that the President works for the people. As president, the commander and chief works for congress. Even though the current executive branch is misguided, Dr. Tolbert believes that Congress has breached their constitutional responsibility and therefore he is running for US Senate. In addition, he filed anti-trust violation suit against both the Democrat and Republican parties. Even though the political parties may not respond, he believes the American people will bring the system back to the constitution. For a point of reference filing form 27a: http://dos.myflorida.com/media/693267/dsde27a.pdf. As a write-in candidate for US Senate and not taking in more than $4,999 for the campaign, there will not be a requirement for financial reporting. Therefore since Dr Tolbert believes that the money spent for his campaign should be used to help those in your community, he will not pay the required $6,960 nor take donations to have his name placed on the ballot. Dr Tolbert has been a pastor since 1999, and was caring for senior citizens from 2001 to 2013 in his home in addition to getting two graduate degrees and a doctorate degree in education. Charles Frederick Tolbert EdD NPA has filed form 27a on June 7, 2016 as a write-in candidate for U S Senate Florida 2016 Www.cfabamerica.com Copy Editor: Vilet Dye…viletsvoice@yahoo.com

"Dr." Tolbert is the original 'SPAM' man! NEVER Tolbert GO TRUMP!!

No to Rubio

I agree with Lizzy. Marco Rubio is in the top 10 most conservative in the House and Senate combined (over 500 representatives). You may not agree with him on every little thing but he is not the liar that some of you want to make him out to be. We need that Senate seat and Rubio understands his base even better than before his run for the presidency and he will represent us well. As for immigration reform, he stood up for the conservative positions and got a lot of what we wanted into that proposed bill despite the fact that he was just one conservative amongst 7 liberals. Where were the other true conservatives? Did they join the committee, roll up their sleeves and work for conservative immigration reform or did they just sit on the sidelines? Only Marco stepped up to the plate so we should thank him not put him down! Patrick Murphy is not an option! Just like the Trump people keep saying, "Get over it!" and get on board or we all lose!

Marco Polio is way too slippery for me,...and MANY others ! Washington, and its politics AND politicians, are rotting from within. As they used to say during WWII (when, "Nationalism" wasn't declared a "politically-incorrect dirty word",.. "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition !"

Continue sipping the cool tea, Pam. Rubio IS a liar, a cheat, and about as worthless as a fart in a windstorm. Of course, I support your right to express yourself, as much as I do! GO TRUMP!!

To say Iam disappointed is an understatement. I was set on either Wilcox or DeSantis....now its marco again to stab us in the back the moment pastures are greener for him.

Sounds as though the Old, ineffective "Republican establishment" is "bringing rain" on EVERY potential impediment to Marco Polio's slithering return to the largely unused Senate seat he abandoned... They will come to regret that 'move'... Slippery Marco serves ONLY himself, and he has proven that over and over again. Like an inattentive boyfriend,..LET HIM GO !

Everyone needs to get over their anger with Rubio and keep their eyes on the end game: Retain the Senate. The Supreme Court. Rubio is a means to that end. Kudos to Todd Wilcox for recognizing reality. Hopefully he'll try again down the road.

That depends upon what you see the "end game" as being, "Lizzy";...and far too many of us don't see Marco Polio or Wilcox (and other "surrendering Sallys") as part of it !

The only "end" for Rubio will be another rejection at the polls. I'll NEVER vote for him again. GO TRUMP!!

I can't believe how disappointed I am in Mr. Wilcox. While he may be a gentleman, he obviously was NOT committed to the election! To turn tail and run, I thought, was not in his blood. How wrong I was. Once again, a non committed candidate drops out of a race and talk it up for the lying, and ever deceitful Marco Rubio. Hopefully, the voters will reward him with another, career ending, defeat! GO TRUMP!!

I agree wholeheartedly, I will never again vote for Rubio. I am very disappointed that Wilcox dropped out . . . . . .I had planned to vote for him, but seeing that he fell in with the establishment makes me realize that he was not what I thought he was. Go Trump!!

Well written article.. Todd Wilcox is a true genuine, honest, good gentleman.. he deserves to be recognized.. hopefully he can run sometime as a Republican - he is awesome and great person.. We all support him..

Oh,...We "RECOGNIZE" him alright !!! And, one day he'll regret that we 'REMEMBER' him too..!

Todd Wilcox turned his back on the people of Florida and ran away at the mention of little Marco! He may be a veteran but he sure did chicken out! GO TRUMP!!

Comments are now closed.

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