Even as Thanksgiving, the start of Hanukkah and the kickoff of the holiday season loom this week, attacks are already flying as Florida politicos get ready for next years gubernatorial contest.
The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) opened the short Thanksgiving week with a jab at former Gov. Charlie Crist, the ex-Republican running for governor in 2014 as a Democrat. Crist joined the Democrats in 2012 after leaving the GOP to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation in 2010. Earlier this month, Crist announced he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.
On Monday, RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry looked to tie Crist to the increasingly unpopular federal health-care act backed by President Barack Obama.
"Last week, Charlie Crist made it clear that he would double down on raising taxes and double down on supporting Obamacare, Curry said on Monday. So it's no surprise he also told Floridians that he has no concerns about Obamacare's tax increases that will hurt job creators and middle-class families. We can't afford Obamacare, and Floridians can't afford Charlie Crist."
In the meantime, Crists camp issued its own response Monday, hammering the governor for accepting money from special interests. Jessica Clark, Crists deputy campaign manager, targeted Scott on Monday in an email to supporters.
One million dollars, Clark wrote. That's how much several special interests have individually given Rick Scott. One million dollars.
Clark pointed to the Heritage Insurance Co., claiming that company benefited after giving Scott a large donation.
Earlier this year, Heritage Insurance Co. received a $50 million contract after a $100,000 contribution to Rick Scott's re-election, Clark insisted. Press reports show emails from the governor's office pushing the deal through. Imagine what someone might think they could get for a million dollars.
Rick is going to have all the special interest money he wants, Clark added. He is their guy.
Clark attempted to contrast Crists record in Tallahassee with Scotts and argued special interests are giving to Rick Scott because they know Charlie will be our governor -- fighting for everyday Floridians like us -- just as he always has.
No major Republican primary opponent has emerged so far to challenge Scott. On the Democratic side, Crist faces former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has floated his name to enter the race, but has done little to show he intends to enter the contest.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
