Remember how David Rivera “suspended” his House comeback bid in FL-26 on July 11? Well, he’s “unsuspended” his campaign now that early voting has started: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/11/4284581/with-beginning-of-early-voting.html
If Rivera wins the nomination, his purported corruption (and his connection to corrupt individuals), not Joe Garcia’s liberal voting record (and corruption, to boot), will become the focus of the election. Not only that, Rivera has reported raising only $11,000, compared to $2,732,000 for Garcia. We need to reclaim that seat this November, and Rivera isn’t going to get it done. It seems like all the Miami GOP money has gone to Carlos Curbelo, and while Curbelo does not appear to be as conservative as one would hope for (while the CD only gave Romney 46%, it is far more Republican downballot), I don’t think any of the other candidates would have the resources to defeat Garcia. (The only other GOP candidate who has raised as much as $100,000 is Cutler Bay Mayor MacMacDougall, but an Anglo from Cutler Bay isn’t going to beat a Cuban-American incumbent in that district, where 69% of the voting-age population is Hispanic.)
Pulling a Ross Perot eh? WTH Joe? He sounds detached from reality.
Curbelo is for queer marriage and that sickens me, but the other candidates just aren’t competitive, least of all Rivera. Curbelo is still probably to the right of Ros-Lehtinen.
I’m surprised Martinez has such anemic fundraising. He also hasn’t posted a news update on his website since May (endorsement of Dan Burton), only tweets. Starbuck as well, last update was in May. It’s hard to even take them seriously, MacDougal is the only one that seems to be trying.
I’d hate to see Garcia get entrenched in that seat, having a member in Congress is very good for Cuban-American rats.
There’s been a GOP debate in FL-26.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/22/4303873/miami-gop-congressional-candidates.html
Rivera declined to attend, whatever Dave.
ALL the candidates except for Martinez voiced support for gay marriage. Martinez says the states should decide, he would oppose it for Florida, but does support civil unions.
When asked if “sea levels are rising”, all said yes but Martinez who said “I’m not exactly sure. (Dammit,) I’m (a politician) not a scientist, Jim.” He went on to say there is “climate change”.
When ask if illegal immigrants are criminals, which they are according to the dictionary, Curbelo said “No, these are hard-working people that care about this country”. The other 3 said “yes”.
MacDougall was blasted for living outside the district, he blamed the lame map and said he lives closer to the center of the district than anyone else. Curbelo made a silly comparison “By the Constitution, someone that lives in the Panhandle can run for this district. That doesn’t mean it’s right.”
FL-26
Saint Leo University poll
Carlos Curbelo (R) 46%, Joe Garcia (D) 42%.
DCCC poll, conducted Sept 28-Oct 1 but just released
Garcia 45%, Curbelo 40%.