A national Super PAC backing free market solutions is wading into the Republican gubernatorial primary in Florida as Freedom Partners Action Fund (FPAF) announced its support of U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., on Tuesday.
FPAF praised DeSantis’ record including his “strong leadership in Congress on important issues, including economic growth, health care reforms, and education initiatives.” According to its website, FPAF backs “candidates who believe in freedom, who will empower innovators and entrepreneurs over special interests to expand opportunities, create strong communities, and give everyone the best shot at a better life.”
Freedom Partners Action Fund spokesman Nathan Nascimento weighed in on why the group was backing DeSantis. Nascimento and FPAF did not attack state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, DeSantis’ main rival in the Republican gubernatorial primary at the end of next month.
“Floridians want in their next governor a strong leader willing to take on issues that most seriously impact their lives, and Ron DeSantis’s record in Congress proves he will be that governor,” Nascimento said. “His priority is the people he serves, working to grow our economy by supporting regulatory reforms and rejecting corporate welfare, improving the quality and affordability of health care, and growing opportunity in education. Ron DeSantis puts Florida’s communities and families first, and is the best choice for the state’s next governor.”
FPAF intends to support DeSantis with a targeted mail and digital campaign.
This is not the first time, FPAF has been involved in Florida. After launching in 2014, FPAF was active in the Sunshine State two years later, helping U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. to a second term as he held off a challenge from then U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla.
Besides DeSantis and Putnam, other candidates in the Republican gubernatorial primary include Bob White who leads the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, businessman and political activist John Mercadante and veteran Bruce Nathan who ran for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation in 2016 and took 1 percent of the vote.
