Charlie Crist Takes Aim at New GOP Candidate Mark Bircher

With retired Marines Gen. Mark Bircher expected to formally launch a second bid for Congress on Tuesday night, he drew fire from the leading Democrat in the race. 

Former Gov. Charlie Crist took aim at Bircher in an email sent out to supporters on Tuesday morning. 

“It's been more than fifty years since FL-13 turned blue, but with your support, we are going to make history. But that doesn't mean Republicans won't put up a fight,” Crist wrote.  “And now we know who wants to keep this seat red.  Before I tell you what's at stake, I do want to commend my new opponent on his military service to our country. Public service, especially military service, is what allows us to have these debates.

“But, here's the deal,” Crist added. “Mark Bircher is about as tea party as it gets. He wants Medicare, Social Security, and the Affordable Care Act repealed. 

“That's unconscionable,” Crist wrote. 

Bircher lost to David Jolly in the Republican primary in a special election held last year after longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., passed away.