The two Republicans looking to topple U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., in November showcased their conservative credentials as they try to flip a seat to the GOP.
On Friday, Tallahassee attorney Mary Thomas announced she had been endorsed by conservative PAC Club for Growth.
"Mary Thomas is a rock-solid economic conservative, and her election would be a terrific upgrade for Florida's Panhandle," said former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh, R-Ind., the president of the Club for Growth.
"There is no better way to save the American dream than to return the American economy to a free enterprise system of capitalism that has made the American dream possible for so many,” Thomas said on Friday. “Today I am proud to announce that my campaign has been endorsed by the leading political voice for free markets and conservative economic principles in America, the Club for Growth.”
Founded in 1999, the Club for Growth has been active in supporting candidates who support free market economics, less federal regulation and a balanced budget.
Panama City surgeon Dr. Neal Dunn, who is running against Thomas in the primary, showcased the support of former U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., who Graham beat in 2014. Southerland threw his support behind Dunn at the start of January.
“This is not just another former congressman endorsing a candidate, I have examined the field thoroughly and feel strongly that Neal Dunn is the best conservative Republican candidate and is the only candidate I have endorsed for this race,” Southerland noted on Friday. “He and his wife, Leah, are conservative Christians with a long family history of military service and sacrifice. He also has a distinguished career as a surgeon treating many thousands of North Florida families. He knows first hand the failures of Obamacare and is the candidate most capable of repealing and replacing that broken system with one that is patient centered and market based.”
Dunn’s team announced on Sunday that their candidate had raised more than $135,000 in the last quarter of 2015 and sent $65,000 of his own money to the campaign during that period.
“I am humbled by the outpouring of support that I continue to receive for my bid to represent our local communities in U.S. Congress,” Dunn said on Sunday. “Since announcing my campaign, I have had the privilege of getting out in our communities and hearing from the constituents what they want in their congressman. What I am hearing is that they want action. They want someone who will work to repeal Obamacare, cut spending, help rebuild our military and protect our Second Amendment rights. I am the conservative candidate in this race with a passion and background to accomplish these important issues for our district, and look forward to continuing to get our message out to fellow Republicans on the campaign trail.”
Republicans are hoping to flip this seat in November and that task has become less difficult due to the latest round of redistricting. Graham outpaced both of the Republicans in fundraising over 2015 and has around double what the two Republicans have on hand.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
