JB Bensmihen Launches Bid to Take on Maria Sachs

On Thursday, Joseph JB Bensmihen, the president and CEO of Boca Home Care Services, announced he was running for the Republican nomination to challenge Florida Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach. Earlier in the week, former Florida Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff announced she was aiming for a rematch with Sachs who defeated her in 2012 in a rare match, pitting two Senate incumbents against each other after redistricting.

In announcing his candidacy, Bensmihen pointed to his experience with spastic cerebral palsy and his work in charitable activities.

I think Ive proven that society sometimes has the handicap and an individual only has a disability, Bensmihen said on Thursday. Disabilities come in many forms, but a way forward and a way up is only achieved through hard work, perseverance, and commitment. That is what I bring to this race and what our kids and grandkids need to know.

I am excited to take this next step of service and offer myself to the voters of District 34, Bensmihen added. I truly believe that my life can serve as a testament to the American virtues of hard work, never giving up or giving in, and securing the freedom to pursue one's dream. I know, firsthand, what it takes to create and maintain jobs for my neighbors because I've done it. I know, firsthand, what true charity is because I've worked to give it. I also know, firsthand, what it is like to be told you can't do something, but to know you can.

I know there are those who say Florida, and America, have put our best days behind us, Bensmihen concluded. To those who believe that or those who fear it to be true, I intend to campaign as an example of what one can accomplish if we stop labeling each other and start working together. There is no goal we cannot achieve in this country and no mountain too high in our state. I intend to win this race and unite our district in the common cause of freedom, economic prosperity, and world class education for our future.

Conservative Karin Hoffman is also running in the Republican primary. If she wins, Bogdanoff is expected to support Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latavala's Senate presidential ambitions.