But Ehr, who once ran against GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz in northwest Florida, said his decision to run for Gimenez’s House seat was prompted by what he called the “chaos in the nation’s Capitol” due to Republican infighting over Speaker the House that has kept this house without a leader for more than two weeks.
“We have chaos in the House of Representatives that is hurting America, chaos that prevents us from being able to respond abroad,” Ehr told Playbook.
Ehr’s decision to mount a congressional campaign in South Florida was, in part, because he believes Gimenez is vulnerable and because of the Republican lawmaker’s support for former President Donald Trump and other Republicans like Gaetz. Gimenez is currently one of those opposing the speakership bid by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
Ehr also added that he has resided in Florida since 1984 and, while in the military, flew missions in the area, including rescuing Cuban exiles during the Mariel boat lift. “This place feels very familiar to me,” Ehr said.
He plans to announce his candidacy against Giménez in Miami with Mucarsel-Powell. Mucarsel-Powell, who supports Ehr, lost her congressional seat to Giménez in the 2020 election.
Federal campaign records show Gimenez currently has more than $890,000 in cash on hand for his re-election campaign. Ehr had raised nearly $700,000 so far and his latest Senate report showed he had more than $89,000 cash on hand.
Ehr’s departure gives Mucarsel-Powell one less Democrat to worry about in next year’s primary, though several Democrats are still up for grabs — including former MP Alan Grayson — in the race Another potential Democratic candidate is Stanley Campbell, a businessman, former Navy pilot and brother of famed Miami rapper Luther Campbell. A campaign committee for Stanley Campbell was started late last month.
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