The Republican special congressional election in Southwest Florida is now in full swing, as both Curt “Outsider” Clawson and State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, have both qualified by petition to be on the April 20 special election ballot.
Benacquisto is touting 3,100 petitions signed, while Clawson is saying that he collected 3,000. Both candidates are wooing the conservative grassroots base of the district, the base that usually decided who wins or loses elections in this predominantly Republican congressional district.Clawson announced his “Game Changer” endorsement from Tea Party favorite Byron Donald, while Benacquisto was able to garner the endorsement of the Conservative Susan B. Anthony List.
Byron Donald won Collier County in the 2012 Republican primary election, but ended up coming in a distant fifth place after all the votes were tallied. Trey Radel won the Republican nomination, and the general election to replace outgoing Congressman Connie Mack.
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While some reporters and politicos are scratching their heads as to why this would be a game changing endorsement, Clawson’s campaign sees this as a grassroots momentum build moment. Benacquisto’s SBA grab was her’s to lose. The SBA List only endorses women.
The Benacquisto release states, “While some continue to tout their ability to play games, Lizbeth Benacquisto had more than 3,100 of her supporters help her qualify for the ballot via petition. These thousands agree with Lizbeth that this campaign to serve Southwest Florida is not a game.”
Game on? I couldn’t resist.
Clawson, who has never run for elected office before, is running a Rick Scott-like TV ad-driven campaign to win over voters, while Benacquisto is banking on her solid and loyal conservative support in area to deliver a win on election night.
With Benacquisto delivering the first knock on Clawson, it will be interesting to see what Clawson will do in response. The Clawson campaign could not be reached for comment regarding Benacquisto’s little jab.
I have a feeling that this congressional race will heat up, especially with a Super PAC already dropping bombs on Benacquisto, in an attempt to frame her as “the establishment” candidate in the race.While Benacquisto is the Senate Majority Leader, and part of the leadership in the Florida Senate, the Republican-led Florida legislature is establishment, but cannot be compared to the moderate Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives.
