Wasserman Schultz, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) blew out Republican Karen Harrington in 2012, besting her 63 percent to 36 percent. That being the case, Wasserman Schultz has paid no attention to activist Joe Kaufman who won the Republican primary on Tuesday over Juan Garcia.
In recent days, Wasserman Schultz has been crossing the nation, helping Democrats as they ready for the 2014 elections. At the end of last week, Wasserman Schultz was at the Democratic Partys summer meeting in Atlanta. Then she dashed to New Mexico and Colorado earlier this week as she looked to help U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., a top Republican target as the GOP looks to flip the Senate in November.
Wasserman Schultz returned to Florida to take part in a unity tour for Democrats on Thursday, hitting the campaign trail for former Gov. Charlie Crist who is running against Gov. Rick Scott in November.
After Crist won the primary on Tuesday, Wasserman Schultz unloaded on Scott and praised her partys nominee and his running mate, former Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chairwoman Annette Taddeo.
Over the course of this campaign, Charlie and Annette have embraced policies that will help Floridas middle-class families, a stark contrast to the current governor, Republican Rick Scott, who is beholden to special interests and radical tea party ideology, Wasserman Schultz said. Charlie and Annette join Democratic candidates throughout Florida and across the country who are committed to expanding opportunity for all Americans. Republicans, especially those like Scott, have demonstrated that their priorities are instead focused on the select few. Come November, Florida voters will reject the failed policies of Rick Scott and welcome a new day for the Sunshine State.
While Wasserman Schultz went after Scott and other Republicans this week -- including U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., during an appearance on PoliticKing with Larry King on Ora.TV which aired Thursday night-- she has not mixed it up with Kaufman yet.
As for Kaufman, he has shown no hesitation in going after Wasserman Schultz.
The voters of District 23 and this nation need a change, Kaufman said in his victory speech on Tuesday night, offering thanks and praise for Garcia. We have all become painfully aware of the empty promises of the left to provide a better future for this country which has resulted in failure on every front.
Kaufman played up American exceptionalism in his victory address before taking aim at Wasserman Schultz.
We must reject the ideology of Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the left in general because it poisons the common sense of America with irrational thoughts, Kaufman said. I promise you I will get the job done and I will put America first.
Despite his America first theme, Kaufman is no isolationist. unlike the America First movement of the late '30s and early '40s which looked to keep the United States out of World War II. Kaufman is a vocal supporter of Israel, a theme he is sure to play up in the weeks to come. Liberal organizations have accused Kaufman of being active against Muslims with his work through Americans Against Hate and the Terror-Free Oil Initiative (TFOI).
Kaufman added to his pitch on Friday, looking to rally Garcia supporters and other Republicans against Wasserman Schultz in November.
For those who participated in the 2014 primary elections, I want to thank you for being a part of the political process, Kaufman wrote in an email sent out by his campaign on Friday. While I am thrilled with the win, the real victory lies two months ahead of us, when we give Debbie Wasserman Schultz her pink slip and send her home. Whether you voted for me or not, it is time for us all to come together to make sure this becomes a reality.
We have a great opportunity to defeat Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kaufman insisted. Lets roll up our sleeves and do it.
Businesswoman Stephanie Anderson is also running for the seat with no party affiliation. National pundits have designated the seat as safe for the Democrats.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
