U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., threw his support behind Kat Cammack in the crowded Republican primary to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla.
On Wednesday, Paul endorsed Cammack, a former aide to Yoho who led his campaign when he upset longtime U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., in 2012.
“Kat Cammack is a conservative outsider and a big government fighter,” Paul said. “She will stand with President Trump to build the wall and secure our borders, protect life, and defend the Second Amendment. We need to send strong conservatives like Kat Cammack to Washington who have the courage to take on career politicians and drain the swamp. She is a passionate patriot who has the know-how, work ethic, and backbone to make a real difference. Kat Cammack is exactly the kind of representative we need more of on Capitol Hill, which is why she has my full support in her campaign for Congress.”
“It is truly an honor to earn the endorsement and trust of Senator Rand Paul in our campaign for Florida’s Third District,” Cammack said. “Rand is an ardent defender of the Constitution and will never shy away from a fight to limit government and protect individual liberties in Washington. With the extremists on the left growing bolder in their push for socialism every day, we need those leaders now more than ever. If given the privilege of representing our district, I would be proud to stand alongside him on Capitol Hill for conservative values and to work every day to drain the swamp.”
Cammack is running in a very crowded primary in what is considered a solidly Republican district. Other Republican candidates include businessman and author Ryan Chamberlin, former Gainesville City Commissioner Todd Chase, businessman Bill Engelbrecht, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, former congressional staffer Joe Millado, Clay County Commissioner Gavin Rollins, businessman and former congressional aide Judson Sapp, physician James St. George, businessman David Theus and businesswoman Amy Pope Wells.
Four Democrats–Adam Christensen, Phil Dodds, Richard Rowe and Tom Wells–are running in this solidly red district which stretches from Clay County to parts of Gainesville and Ocala.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.