EMILY’s List continues targeting Vern Buchanan race
August 4, 2008 at 2:00 pm by Wayne GarciaSarasota’s favorite 2008 campaign rematch — incumbent Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan vs. Democrat Christine Jennings — now ranks up there with the likes of the Elizabeth Dole and John Sununu races as a target for progressive Democrats to take down Republicans. EMILY’s List, a powerful pro-choice funding machine, has long kept this one on its members radar screens but today sent out another fundraising appeal, putting the Sarasota race.
Here’s how they characterized it:
U.S. House, Florida – District 13 – Christine Jennings
Republican to defeat: Vern BuchananA far-right congressman with ethical issues, Vern Buchanan voted against federal funding for stem cell research and against setting a timetable for bringing troops home from Iraq. And he has reiterated his extreme opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. Buchanan continues to make headlines with his ethical and legal problems resulting from past campaigns, jilted franchises, defaulted loans, and unpaid taxes.
In 2006, after weeks of dispute, Jennings lost by just 369 votes to Buchanan. Between Buchanan’s right-wing record and Jennings’ bipartisan appeal, this district is ripe for takeover. Jennings must raise $3.5 million to oust Buchanan.
Buchanan’s legal problems arise once again just on cue as a former employee filed a lawsuit against him in the past week.
