Ryan RayIt’s a crowded GOP field in the 2nd Congressional District, but so far there’s only candidate on the ballot.
Republican Neal Dunn announced Tuesday his campaign is the first in the race for the newly redrawn CD 2 to qualify via petition, securing the necessary 2,298 verified signatures.
The Panama City urological surgeon’s campaign said they received petitions from all 19 counties in the sprawling Panhandle district.
“Today, we are excited that our campaign received the required number of petitions to appear on the ballot to represent North Florida this August,” said Dunn. “I am grateful for the outpouring of support we continue to receive, and I look forward to continuing to spread our conservative message with the voters.”
“From Day One, I have been unwavering in my commitment to this district and I look forward to the opportunity to put what I’ve been saying to work for the people of North Florida. We must elect a strong Republican that is dedicated to reducing and removing the burdensome government regulations that stifle our economy and job growth, fixing our broken health care system, and protecting our nation and our traditional family values, and I am just the candidate to do it,” Dunn continued.
Dunn faces three opponents in the race to succeed Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, who may step aside from the seat due to new realities of political geography. CD 2 went from tilting slightly GOP in 2014, to now constituting one of the most conservative districts in the state.
Former Scott administration attorney Mary Thomas, former U.S. Attorney Ken Sukhia, and businessman Jeff Moran all stand in Dunn’s way to winning the nomination. All three are from Tallahassee, making Dunn the only candidate from the western portion of the district.
The Republican quartet seeking to assume to CD 2 reins in 2016 faced off in a contentious debate in Panama City in late March.
