On Friday, U.S. House John Boehner’s, R-Ohio, resignation took center stage in one of the most competitive congressional elections in Florida.
After news broke that Boehner was heading to the sidelines and would resign by the end of October, U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., called for Congress to back “new leadership that will heal our partisan divisions and unite us to solve the major issues we face.” Graham also used the opportunity to remind North Florida voters she voted against U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., following through on a promise she made on the campaign trail against then-U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., last year.
“On my first day in office, I voted for new leadership because I believe at this critical time in our nation's history, Congress cannot afford to remain divided and dysfunctional,” Graham said on Friday. “In my mission to bring the ‘North Florida Way’ to Washington, I have worked with and become friends with members on both sides of the aisle -- and thank Speaker Boehner for his lifetime of public service. Though we disagree on many issues, I have seen firsthand a bipartisan desire for Congress to get back to work for the American people.
“With Speaker Boehner's announcement, today, I challenge my colleagues in both parties to join me in voting for new leadership that will heal our partisan divisions and unite us to solve the major issues we face,” Graham added.
While congressional redistricting remains unsettled after a special session of the Florida Legislature produced no results last month, Graham is expected to face a tough challenge in retaining her seat as more Republicans should be drawn into her district.
Tallahassee attorney Mary Thomas is running for the Republican nomination to challenge Graham and she noted on Friday that she had promised to vote against Boehner if elected. On Friday, Thomas called for the GOP to advance a more conservative agenda now that Boehner was headed to the sidelines.
“I was the only candidate in FL 2 with the guts to call for a new speaker of the House,” Thomas said.."Now that that has happened, the conservative movement must seize this opportunity to lead Congress to: fully and immediately repeal Obamacare; defund Planned Parenthood; rein in deficit spending; secure our borders; and defeat ISIS. These are the issues that I'm focusing on in my campaign. These are the issues that conservatives in North Florida expect the Republican leadership in Congress to address."
Running against Thomas in the primary, Dr. Neal Dunn, a surgeon from Panama City, also called for the GOP majority to push conservative policy.
“Although Congress may have changed course, we must embrace it, and realize the opportunity this change holds for Florida,” Dunn said on Friday. “During this time, it is essential that Congress come together and partake in a healthy dialogue, while working to achieve our conservative principles.
“I will continue to advocate for the issues that truly matter to our community – repairing our economy, growing jobs and prosperity, repealing Obamacare, supporting our military and making this world a better place for our future generations,” Dunn added.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
