National Democrats are backing state Rep. Margaret Good in her campaign against U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Thursday morning that Good is a “top-tier candidate” worthy of the organization’s Red to Blue program, which is aimed at winning back congressional seats from House Republicans.
The program will supply Good’s campaign with organizational and fundraising support, as well as strategic guidance and staff resources. According to a DCCC press release, Good, D-Sarasota, earned a spot on the list thanks to strong local support, grassroots engagement and aggressive fundraising.
“Together, so many of us are putting in the work to bring change to Florida’s 16th district. I’m grateful for the people in this district and for the DCCC’s partnership and support of this top Democratic pickup opportunity,” Good said in a statement provided to the Bradenton Herald. “We made history in 2018 by flipping a seat, and we will work together to do it again in 2020,” referring to her state House win over Buchanan’s son.
It’s not the first time that Good’s campaign has caught the DCCC’s attention. Shortly after announcing her bid for the seat last summer, the organization noted that it was closely following the race as one of its many “offensive battlefields.”
“Raised by a nurse and a pastor, Margaret Good was taught that we are called to work as hard as we can to build a better world,” DCCC Chairwoman Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., said in a statement. “That calling first compelled her to run for state office because she was tired of a government that cared more about lobbyist checks than Floridians. Now she’s running against the 4th wealthiest Congressman in Washington to do the same.”
“Congressman Vern Buchanan has toed his party’s line, even at the expense of his constituents, and Margaret Good is poised to flip this seat, rising above petty politics as she brings Florida’s 16th Congressional District the independent, accountable voice it deserves,” Bustos added.
Reached for comment Thursday morning, Max Goodman, Buchanan’s campaign manager, noted that the DCCC’s support in the race hasn’t helped defeated Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, in the past.
“It means absolutely zero, and it meant nothing to Vern’s previous opponents who were placed on the same program and beaten soundly,” Goodman said.
The DCCC backed Buchanan’s most recent Democratic challenger, David Shapiro, as well. Even with their support, Shapiro lost that race in 2018 by 10 percentage points.
Good is set to face Buchanan in the Nov. 3 General Election. They are running to represent Florida’s 16th Congressional District, which includes Manatee County and parts of Sarasota and Hillsborough counties.
