Former state CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate who came up short against Rick Scott in 2010, announced Wednesday she will run for the open congressional seat that had been held by the late U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla.-- and Republicans across the state and nation are on the warpath.
Sink told the Tampa Bay Timesshe plans to move from her current home outside the district in Hillsborough County to Pinellas County to run for the open seat. Scott has yet to call the special election.
On Wednesday morning, Sink emailed supporters letting them know she was jumping in the race. I made this decision after careful consideration. Everywhere I go I hear the same sentiment from Floridians: Washington is broken, Sink insisted. Look at what happened during the government shutdown. The people of Pinellas County I have talked to are angry -- they are frustrated that our leaders in Washington were unwilling to solve even the most basic of problems: to keep our government functioning.
What we saw earlier this month was unacceptable, Sink added. Thats why Ive decided its time to get off the sidelines and do my part to start changing how we do business.
Sink pointed to her record in Tallahassee as proof she could rise above politics and be an effective leader.
As Floridas chief financial officer, I worked together with Republicans and Democrats to get things done, Sink wrote. Throughout my entire career, I never let politics, name-calling, or finger-pointing get in the way of growing our economy and finding solutions for the people I served. Im ready to bring that work ethic to Washington.
Sink can expect a Democratic primary. Attorney Jessica Ehrlich, a former congressional aide, ran against Young in 2012 and kept him under 60 percent for the first time in decades. She has already launched a second campaign and reeled in some major endorsements, including the backing of a host of unions and liberal group Emilys List.
As Sink entered the race, Republicans at the state and national level lined up to take a swing at her Wednesday.
The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) noted that, when she said she would not seek a rematch with Scott, Sink said, I have decided that the best way for me to make a positive and lasting impact on our state is to continue the work weve started together. I plan to continue my involvement with the Florida Next Foundation, working to build a state of innovation and inspiring the next generation of young Florida leaders.
The RPOF also insisted that Sink was afraid of taking on Scott again and pointed to a major gaffe she made during a gubernatorial debate when she violated the rules of the contest by looking at her smart phone.
"The last time Alex Sink ran for office, she failed to live up to the public's trust by cheating at a debate with Governor Rick Scott, said RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry. But that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her record of failure in the private sector and in government. As a bank president, she allowed deceptive sales and predatory lending practices under her watch.
Curry also linked Sink to former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is expected to be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate next year.
As Charlie Crist's first mate in state government, the Crist-Sink team saddled Florida with $5.2 billion in debt, Curry said. Why would we trust her with taxpayer dollars in Congress?"
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) launched a website on Wednesday attacking Sink, hitting her record as state CFO.
How can Florida families trust Alex Sink in Washington when she wasted their money at home with no remorse? asked Katie Prill, a spokeswoman for the NRCC. After wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars as the chief financial officer for Florida through risky investments and losing billions through Floridas state pension fund, its clear that Sink has no problem hurting Florida seniors and families. The truth of the matter is, Floridians cant trust Alex Sinks poor judgment in Congress.
Sink is the widow of attorney Bill McBride who challenged then-Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002. After leading Florida operations for NationsBank (now Bank of America), Sink ran for state CFO in 2006, beating Republican candidate Tom Lee. Scott defeated Sink by 1 percent to become governor in 2010. While she considered running again for governor, Sink said in September she would not take on Scott in 2014.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
