Karen Harrington announced on Monday that she will run once again for Conrgess against Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Today, I formally announce my campaign for U.S. Congress, said Harrington, a restaurant owner who took almost 40 percent against Wasserman Schultz in 2010.
For those of you who know me, you know me as a neighbor and small-business owner who has been privileged to serve the Broward community for nearly four decades. You also know that I am fully committed to ensuring that the peoples business throughout the district is not needlessly stifled by government intrusion.As Ive had the opportunity to listen and meet with the residents of the district out on the campaign trail over the past few years, it is very clear that your concerns mirror my concerns, about both our economy and the direction of our country, and we can no longer remain on the sidelines as our country slides into further debt and fiscal insolvency.
My campaign for U.S. Congress is not premised on towing a party line or walking in lockstep with the Republican establishment, added Harrington. The duty that comes before all others is safeguarding the prosperity and liberties of the people of the 20th Congressional District, and I will never waver in my resolve from that commitment.
It is my intention to broadly communicate our campaigns ideas to all voters throughout District 20, regardless of party affiliation, as to how we can preserve our prosperity and our liberties through common-sense and principled solutions that will put our country back on a fiscally sustainable path, Harrington said in conclusion. I will be a tireless advocate for proven ideas that roll back government regulation and taxation and allow South Floridas small businesses to prosper.Ours will be a campaign of new ideas and real hope for the future direction of our country, and I intend to take our campaigns message directly to the districts constituents early and often.
While Wasserman Schultz's star increasingly seems to be on the rise in national circles, with talk continuing that she may seek to become the next chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, she represents what appears to be a safe Democratic district. Her margin of victory diminished in 2010 against Harrington in what was a heavy Republican year.
Wasserman Schultz pulled 77 percent of the vote in 2008 and the district -- which brushes against Fort Lauderdale and includes some of the surrounding towns such as Wilton Manor, Plantation, Weston, Dania Beach and Aventura -- gave both John Kerry and Barack Obama more than 60 percent of the vote in their respective presidential campaigns.
Harrington defeated two candidates -- Robert Lowry and Donna Milo -- for the Republican nomination in 2010. So far, at least two other potential candidates stand in Harringtons way for the Republican nomination.
Tea party activist Joe Goldner has filed to run against Wasserman Schultz. Goldner has called for the impeachment of President Barack Obama and supports the federal Defense of Marriage Act
Coral Springs businessman James Gleason, who is a vice president of the Republican Business Network, is also considering joining the race.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
