Three GOP-leaning groups are throwing their financial support behind Republican candidate David Jolly in the form of a $1.2 million ad campaign in the special congressional election for the House seat left vacant by the death of long-time Florida Rep. Bill Young.
Jolly, a former lobbyist and Young aide, is facing Democrat Alex Sink in the fight over the key 13th District seat.
According to Politico, the March 11 election should be a clear
indication of how the voters feel about both parties and several important issues ahead of the regular midterm elections in November.
The three organizations supporting Jolly — American Crossroads, American Action Network, and YG Network — plan to air TV ads and send out mailers, starting next week in the St. Petersburg area.
Before the new infusion of ad and mailer efforts on behalf of Jolly, Sink, the state's former chief financial officer and the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010, had been well ahead in campaign financing with $3 million reserved for TV ads. She is still viewed by some Florida political observers as the favorite to win the election.
But American Crossroads President Steven Law said, "This has become a far more competitive race than anyone initially expected. The Democrats were hoping to get momentum here, they haven’t."
And Brian Walsh, president of American Action Network, said, "This is a toss-up race. It’s a must-win for Democrats and we see an opportunity for Republicans to be victorious."
Chris Bond, a YG Network spokesman, also said Sink and the Democrats have a lot on the line because the party is struggling in Florida. "For liberals, this is a must-win race, and it speaks volumes that they’re fighting for their lives right now," he said. "We’re going to make sure folks are fully aware of Alex Sink’s liberal agenda."
Jolly also
has a high-profile supporter in his camp, former "Price is Right" game show host Bob Barker, who has already filmed an ad that aired last month touting the Republican as "the right choice"' for Washington.
In the commercial, the 90-year-old Barker says, "Folks, when you get to be as young as I am, you call it like you see it. That's why I am supporting David Jolly for Congress."
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