GOP Businessman Ozzie deFaria Reports $210,000+ in Challenge to Debbie Wasserman Shultz

Ozzie deFaria, seeking to unseat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fort Lauderdale, said Wednesday that his campaign will report more than $210,000 in fourth-quarter receipts.

The Republican businessman, who entered the 20th Congressional District primary in October, donated $60,000 to his campaign and made an additional loan of $100,000.

"As a political outsider and first-generation citizen who has lived the American dream without one government handout, I'm proud that I can commit the resources necessary to run a competitive campaign against [President] Obama's biggest attack dog," deFaria said in a statement.

The former AT&T executive and private businessman recently appeared on the Fox Business Network and at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.

"I will aggressively challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz's dismal record on the economy. She should spend less time promoting Obama's failed policies and more time trying to bring jobs to our community," said deFaria, who said his business ventures have "created more than 2,000 private-sector jobs and added $800 million to the economy."

Others seeking the GOP nomination include Karen Harrington, Joe Goldner and Joe Kaufman.