Sanders endorses Democrat in contested Florida special House race
Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed Democrat Josh Weil in the special election for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, marking one of Weil’s biggest endorsements to date.
“Josh Weil is a working class father of two and a middle school teacher who knows what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. Unlike his opponent, he does not have any billionaire-backed Super PACs supporting him. Josh would be a voice in Congress who understands why we must protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and not give massive tax breaks to billionaires,” Sanders said Friday in a statement.
“He understands that we have to keep our promise to veterans, wants to expand the trade union movement and believes that all kids deserve a quality education,” he added.
Weil is running against state Sen. Randy Fine (R) for the House seat, which was held by national security adviser Mike Waltz. The seat would normally be considered a safe Republican seat, with Trump and Waltz each winning the district by more than 30 points in November.
However, the national focus on the race has exploded following Weil besting Fine in fundraising and closing the gap in polling. Weil has raised nearly $10 million, while Fine has raked in just less than $1 million.
An internal poll from the Republican firm Fabrizio Ward released on Thursday evening showed Weil leading Fine by 3 points in the district. A separate survey released from St. Pete Polls earlier this week showed Fine leading Weil by 4 points, but within the poll’s 4.9-point margin of error.
Many Democrats maintain that winning the seat will be an uphill climb and that the goal is to significantly narrow the margins in heavily Trump leaning district.
Republicans do not appear to be taking any chances, with Trump participating in a pair of tele-town halls with Fine on Thursday evening and Elon Musk’s America PAC spending in the district.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin will visit the district this weekend to campaign with Weil.