The stakes are getting higher in South Florida as U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., went to bat for the Democratic candidate running against U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., on Wednesday as both sides looked to fundraise off the former House speaker.
Pelosi sent out a fundraising email on Wednesday for former Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chairwoman Annette Taddeo who is challenging freshman Curbelo in what is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation next year. Under the current map, the district is a competitive one which the Democrats carried in 2012 but Curbelo took back for the Republicans last year. With congressional redistricting still up in the air, the district could change somewhat in the coming weeks.
“I know she will be one of the strongest Democratic voices in Washington and getting her there is critical to our progressive goals," Pelosi wrote about Taddeo before insisting the GOP is focused on this race. “Outside Republican groups spent $6 million in this district last year ... Speaker Boehner and his campaign arm are already launching attacks at Annette and propping up her opponent."
But while Pelosi looked to raise funds for the former Miami-Dade Democratic boss, Curbelo’s team also highlighted her efforts to rally support behind the Republican congressman.
Roy Schultheis from Curbelo’s campaign forwarded Pelosi’s email on behalf of Taddeo to supporters, pointing to it as the latest effort from Democrats to defeat the congressman.
“Nancy Pelosi is going all in against Carlos -- meaning our impending end of quarter deadline just became even more important," Schultheis wrote. “If we aren’t able to come out on top before this deadline, Nancy Pelosi will be in position to add another rubber stamp to her liberal agenda from our independent swing district."
Both Curbelo and Taddeo were in the political spotlight last year. Curbelo defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November in a contentious race. Taddeo was former Gov. Charlie Crist’s running mate as Democrats unsuccessfully tried to defeat Gov. Rick Scott’s bid for a second term.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
