Republican hopeful David Jolly is reeling in national support in the special election to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., in representing parts of Pinellas County in Congress.
Jolly takes on former state CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic nominee, and Libertarian Lucas Overby in the March 11 special election.
With the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) launching an ad earlier in the week that trashes him for being a lobbyist, Jolly unveiled the endorsement of a Republican who has been a leading campaign finance advocate for decades -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
McCain, best known for being the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, praised Jolly for his work on behalf of veterans.
The United States Congress needs principled leaders like David Jolly, said McCain. His experience ensures he will be effective for the people of Pinellas County on day one. David has strong convictions and also believes in civility and working together to get things done. And, his support for America's men and women in uniform, our veterans, and particularly our wounded warriors, is more than just a campaign promise hes lived this commitment through service at our military hospitals, at our VA centers and with multiple veterans' organizations. Its a commitment to service David will continue in Congress.
It is a tremendous honor to have the support of Senator John McCain a true example of steadfast leadership and service to his constituents and the citizens of this nation, said Jolly. A Navy veteran himself, Senator McCain has worked with members of both parties to ensure our nations veterans, and the veterans of his home state, have the support they need and deserve here at home. I thank Senator McCain for his backing in this race to represent Floridas 13th Congressional District in Washington, and I look forward to working alongside him to ensure our veterans and our men and women of the armed forces continue to have access to the resources and services they have so rightfully earned.
In addition to McCain, the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) is also helping Jolly. It launched a commercial on Wednesday hitting Sink on taxes and for backing President Barack Obamas federal health-care law.
Alex Sink has a history of hurting Florida families, said Katie Prill, a spokeswoman for the NRCC. Not only does this tax-and-spend liberal continue to support higher taxes for Florida families, but she also continues to support Obamacare, which is causing Pinellas families to lose their health care coverage. Alex Sink is a risk Pinellas County just cant afford.
Sinks team quickly responded, pushing back against the new ad.
These are the same discredited, Rick Scott-style attacks that have already been rejected by Pinellas residents, said Ashley Walker, a spokeswoman for Sink, on Wednesday. As chief financial officer, Alex Sink earned a reputation as a fiscal conservative who worked to cut wasteful spending and made government do more with less.
Despite Sink getting help from the likes of the DCCC, Emilys List and House Majority PAC, Walker hit Jolly for ties to special interests. Its already clear that D.C. groups are willing to say anything, regardless of the facts, to prop up Washington lobbyist Jolly because they know that in Congress lobbyist Jolly would put special interests over Pinellas families, Walker said.
Sink also played up a similar theme as she launched her Take Your Voice to Washington" campaign effort on Wednesday. In this newest campaign outreach tactic, Sink played up her background and insisted she would fight for Pinellas County where she moved to from Hillsborough County after the seat became open.
We all know that Washington lobbyists and special interests have too much power in D.C. thats why nothing gets done, said Sink. Here in Pinellas we want Congress to focus on tackling the challenges that matter most: stopping the flood insurance rate spike, protecting Social Security and Medicare and helping businesses create jobs. Thats why I will bring the bipartisan, results-oriented values Ive practiced as CFO and a business leader to Congress in order to take the voices of Pinellas back to Washington.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
