The two Republican candidates seeking to replace term-limited state Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, looked to stress their conservative credentials as they added endorsements on Wednesday in the race to represent Duval and Nassau counties.
Former state Rep. Aaron Bean unveiled the support of the Florida Medical Association (FMA) on Wednesday as he looks to return to Tallahassee. And Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville, announced he has the support of Rep. Larry Metz, R-Eustis, who reinforced Weinstein's conservative credentials.
Aarons health-care experience in the Florida House speaks volumes, said Dr. John Katopodis, the president of the FMAs PAC. He understands the challenges our medical community faces day in and day out, and the importance of providing access to quality and affordable health care in our diverse state.The FMA supports Aaron Bean for Senate District 4.
Bean used the endorsement to weigh in on the federal health-care law that President Barack Obama signed back in 2010 and call for its repeal.
I thank the FMA for their support and for taking a stand against Obamacare, Bean said on Wednesday. It is critical that we repeal it! We must bring a greater marketplace of health care to Floridians.And, work together to find a real, sustainable solution that our future generations can afford and rely on for years to come. Health care has always been an important issue to me and will be one of my top priorities if elected.
While Bean was taking aim at a federal law, Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville, who is running against him in the Republican primary, announced his own endorsement and pledged to continue working with Gov. Rick Scott in rebuilding the economy in Florida and luring more jobs to the Sunshine State.
Metz, who represents parts of Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties, announced his support of Weinstein Wednesday that he was backing Weinstein and vouched for his conservative credentials.
I am proud to endorse my friend and colleague Mike Weinstein for his campaign for state Senate, Metz said. We have worked together to protect our American way of life and, as a fellow original member of the Florida House Tea Party Caucus, I know we will have in Mike a senator that will protect the taxpayers hard-earned money, that will work with Governor Rick Scott to create jobs and will work to make certain our government lives within its means.
Weinstein also looked to tie himself to Scott as he thanked Metz for the endorsement.
I am thankful for his support and friendship and I look forward to working with him as we work with Governor Scott to create jobs and to ensure that our Florida government lives within its means, said Weinstein.
The winner of the Republican primary will face two write-in candidates and Democratic candidate former Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, who worked in the Clinton administration. She served as an alternate representative to the United Nations and on the National Security Council as deputy assistant to the president for national security affairs.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
