RPOF: Take Nan Rich Seriously

The Republican Party of Florida came to Nan Rich's aid when she was snubbed by her own party over the summer, but the Florida Democratic Party has remained silent on Rich as of late. RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry, however, has a word of advice for the FDP and for voters across the state: Take Nan Rich seriously.

Rich is the FDP's only announced gubernatorial candidate, and the RPOF noted that she's been stepping up her attacks on Gov. Rick Scott. Rich said the Sunshine Stateis headed "in the wrong direction" and attacked the governor for "running the state like a CEO."

Curry dismissed Rich's claims."Just like every other liberal, she doesn't think we're spending enough money," he said in a statement. "This shouldn't come as a surprise because back in 2002, then-state Representative Rich voted against a proposed balanced budget amendment to Florida's Constitution.And in 2004, she said, 'We've had a lot of tax cuts in this state, maybe we don't need any more.' Nan Rich is just another liberal looking for more money to spend on bigger government."

While Curry attacked Rich in his statement, he also provided support for her by means of throwing FDP Chairwoman Allison Tant under the bus.

"I find it odd that Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant and the Florida Democratic establishment have essentially blacklisted Senator Rich as a gubernatorial candidate," said Curry. "When Nan Rich announced her campaign in April 2012, there was no statement or any positive comment from the Florida Democratic Party. Fast forward to last week when Allison Tant gleefully announced their endorsement of Allie Braswell, a former Republican for CFO, a candidacy that imploded because of his personal financial failures.

"Instead of embracing Senator Rich, Allison Tant and the Florida Democratic establishment are shunning her,laying out the red carpet for another former Republican in Charlie Crist, who tanked Florida's economy with 832,000 jobs lost, unemployment jumping from 3.5 percent to 11.1 percent, the second largest jump in unemployment out of all 50 states and D.C.Unlike Senator Rich, the recently turned Democrat Charlie Crist has a record of being pro-life, pro-family, pro-business, anti-tax and anti-big spending.Why Allison Tant is turning to former Republicans with records of failure is beyond comprehension.

"Here's my ask of you:Unlike Allison Tant, we should not ignore the Florida Democratic Party's leading liberal. Senator Rich's attacks on Rick Scott need to be taken seriously."

Curry also advised voters to keep Rich and liberals in check as they travel across the state campaigning. He also promised that the campaign to "keep Florida on the right track" will be ramping up after Labor Day.