A national liberal group wants to take out U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., next year but the Florida Republican insists he is ready for a fight.
On Monday, Democratic-aligned PAC Emily’s List said Curbelo was “on notice” for next year.
“The Emily’s List community -- more than 3 million members strong -- is committed to holding elected officials accountable for their extreme anti-woman and anti-family records,” said Stephanie Schriock, the president of the PAC, on Monday. “In less than five months into the 114th Congress, we have seen Congressman Curbelo put his personal interest ahead of his constituents by co-sponsoring abortion bans, restricting women’s access to health care, and not supporting minimum wage proposals that would benefit the most vulnerable women and families in Florida’s 26th Congressional District. That’s why Emily’s List is putting Carolos Curbelo ‘On Notice' -- his refusal to stand up for women and families in Florida will get him sent packing in 2016.”
But Curbleo insisted over the weekend he was ready for whatever Beltway liberals like Schriocky will throw at him come 2016.
“When I decided to run for Congress, I made a choice to build my campaign around dedicated members of the South Florida community," Curbelo emailed supporters over the weekend. “Our campaign is built on homegrown activism, not the same old partisan way of doing things in D.C.”
Curbelo swung away at former Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chairwoman Annette Taddeo, his only Democratic opponent so far, tying her to Beltway liberals like U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats don’t share my belief in homegrown politics,” Curbelo noted. “Why else would they back someone like Annette Taddeo who doesn’t even live in our district, and who can’t find the time to speak with local news stations?”
Trying to “counter Taddeo’s big-money liberal backers,” Curbelo insisted he had support from within his South Florida district. “I know that South Floridians care about their community and value independent problem solvers who will fight for solutions,” Curbelo wrote.
With Taddeo having failed with all of her attempts to win elected office--including bids for Congress, County Commission and being former Gov. Charlie Crist’s lieutenant governor running mate on the defeated Democratic gubernatorial ticket last year, other members of her party are also possible candidates. These include state Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and businesswoman Gloria Romero Roses.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
