Mitch Perry
Congressional District 13 Democratic candidate Eric Lynn remains the only live human being who has announced his candidacy for the congressional seat being vacated by Republican David Jolly next year.
Attempting to exploit that reality, as well as to continue to introduce himself to Pinellas County voters who may not be familiar with the first-time political candidate, Lynn today released the first of what his campaign says will be “multiple videos” focused on policy issues important to him and the voters of CD 13.
This first video of the “Eric Lynn Direct” series focuses on his commitment to ensuring that women have access to healthcare and equal pay.
“Like many of you, I’ve been appalled at the Republicans’ daily attempts to take away women’s access to health care, the right to choose, and the right to equal pay for equal work,” Lynn begins, with soft music playing in the background.
The candidate then throws in a subtle reminder about his potential Democratic primary challenger, former Republican Governor Charlie Crist.
“As a lifelong Democrat, and as a father and a husband, I’ll stand up for women everyday, because these aren’t women issues, these are family issues,” he says.
Crist did not become a registered Democrat until late 2012. The lifelong Republican became an independent after realizing that he would lose to Marco Rubio in the 2010 GOP Senate primary. He switched to the Democratic Party in December of 2012, and was the party’s candidate who lost to Rick Scott in the race for governor last year.
“I’ll always support access to quality, affordable health care, including protecting Planned Parenthood from reckless Republican attempts to defund it,” Lynn later says, putting him on the record as a proud pro-choice Democrat who is willing to stand up for the women’s health organization.
The release of now eight videotapes by a pro-life activist that accuses Planned Parenthood of illegally profiting from the sale of fetal tissue has galvanized the pro-life movement and led to threats of funding being cut nationally and in several states. In Florida, Governor Rick Scott called on the Agency for Health Care Administration to investigate whether the agencies abortion clinics were performing 2nd-trimester abortions.
Lynn’s proud support for the organization could help him with some Pinellas female Democrats.
The Lynn camp says they will release more videos over the next few months on policy issues including jobs, the economy and national defense.
Crist has said that he will probably enter the contest, but reportedly will resist an announcement until he newly constructed boundaries of the 13th Congressional District are approved by the Florida Supreme Court. When that happens is unclear at this time.
Here’s the video:
