When asked, Javier Manjarres, managing editor of conservative blog site The Shark Tank, wouldn't confirm he's making a run for U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch's CD 22 seat, but he did sound like a man with a bone to pick with Democrat Deutch -- and a "probable" opponent for the incumbent.
Manjarres didn't hold back in criticizing Deutch over his response to the Parkland shooting.
The blogger launched an exploratory committee last summer as buzz grew that he was interested in running for Congress. Speaking Wednesday to Sunshine State News, he said his candidacy is now “probable” in an effort to oust Deutch, in the 115th Congress serving his fifth term.
Manjarres claims Deutch’s focus on gun control in the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas shooting, has increased his own odds of running. The attack took place in the 22nd District. And Manjarres had some harsh words for Deutch’s calls for more gun control in the aftermath of the shooting.
“Ted Deutch is completely exploiting it, ad nauseam," said the personality known in South Florida as "the Shark." "It’s sickening how he’s exploiting it and making it about assault weapons and guns and the NRA.”
Manjarres also called Deutch a “typical establishment Democrat who will do or say anything to get elected or re-elected to garner points and exploit a tragedy like this one.”
Sunshine State News reached out to Congressman Deutch’s office for a response to those comments but did not receive a reply by publication time.
Deutch, a commercial real estate attorney in years before his public service, has pushed to raise the age for all gun purchases to 21, something President Trump originally supported, then backed off. Deutch also has advocated for expanded background checks, the banning of assault rifles and other forms of gun control.
Deutch also is among Congress' strongest voices for advancing the security interests of Israel. He is the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee and a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he serves as the ranking Democrat on the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee.
Manjarres nevertheless argues Deutch’s focus should be on Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, as well as Superintendent Robert Runcie of Broward County Schools. CD 22 cuts through all of heavily populated Broward County. “Why isn’t he pointing the finger at them and calling for investigations of them or a firing?” he asks. Sheriff Israel has been under fire for the school system's handling of confessed shooter Nikolas Cruz prior to the shooting. And Runcie has faced questions over the county’s disciplinary policies.
Tax reform is also a driving issue for Manjarres should he decide to jump in the race. He says while the recent Republican tax law could have gone further, it’s a step in the right direction. “Tax reform is big for all Americans. Even Ted Deutch’s family is going to benefit from tax reform.”
Manjarres has helped fund-raise for the America First Agenda PAC. FEC filings as of Dec. 31, 2017 show America First has raised more than $300,000. That money could be spent to help Manjarres, should he formally declare. It could be an uphill climb, however, as Deutch represents a solid-blue district and easily won re-election in 2016, 59-to-41 percent. Republicans did not even bother to field candidates against Deutch in 2012 and 2014 though his district has been changed due to redistricting. There could also be other challenges for the possible candidate.
In 2016, Manjarres was arrested due to an incident with his sister's boyfriend but prosecutors declined to pursue charges against him.
Two other Republicans already have filed for the seat, Nicolas T. Kimaz and Paul Douglas Spain who has made two previous bids for Congress.
“We’re doing our due diligence when it comes to campaigning and we’re still mulling it over,” says Manjarres. He told Sunshine State News that a final decision will be made in the coming weeks. The clock is ticking, though. The deadline to register for the Republican primary is May 4.
Ryan Nicol, a freelance writer who lives in Sunrise, wrote this story exclusively for Sunshine State News.
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