A.G. Gancarski
As we reported earlier Tuesday, Republican congressional candidate Justin Grabelle hosts a meet-and-greet fundraising reception in Pinellas County next month featuring special guest U.S. Rep. David Jolly.
Jolly, who has introduced the STOP Act to prohibit federal officeholders from directly soliciting political contributions, received criticism from the campaign of Carlos Lopez-Cantera, his GOP U.S. Senate Primary opponent.
Though Jolly’s bill stipulates that elected federal officials would still be permitted to attend fundraisers, the CLC campaign sees Jolly’s participation as “typical D.C.”
“It’s interesting to see Congressman Jolly as the featured guest at a fundraiser just a few days after swearing off fundraising. This is typical D.C., they say one thing, then do another when they think no one is watching,” said Lopez-Cantera spokeswoman Courtney Alexander.
Team Jolly had its own take.
“Rep. Jolly has made clear he will not be engaging in direct fundraising and honors that pledge. The STOP Act bans solicitations by Members of Congress but does not prohibit attendance at political events, like the upcoming reception for Justin Grabelle. What voters are tired of is snarky sniping and mudslinging from typical run-of-the-mill politicians, which is why we won’t be commenting further on the Lt. Governor’s petty attack,” said Sarah Bascom, spokeswoman for the Jolly campaign.
