Ryan RayRepublican congressional hopeful Neal Dunn didn’t wait long to stake his claim in the 2nd Congressional District.
Following U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham‘s announcement Thursday morning the freshman Democrat would not seek re-election in her now-splintered CD 2, Dunn proclaimed he was the district’s best option to succeed her.
“Florida Congressional District 2 needs a conservative leader to fight for us in Washington, and I am ready to take on this role and bring the dose of common sense that our North Florida communities so desperately need,” Dunn said in a statement.
“I am committed to standing up and fighting for the conservative values we all share. I will work to repeal Obamacare, cut spending, stop illegal immigration, protect the Second Amendment and rebuild our military,” said Dunn.
“Together, let’s take our district to new heights. I am the lifelong Republican in this race who is dedicated to ensuring our slice of Florida receives the attention it deserves and the solutions that matter most now and for our future generations.”
Dunn, a urological surgeon from Panama City in the redrawn district’s west, is running in a stout GOP field.
Former Rick Scott administration attorney Mary Thomas, former U.S. Attorney Ken Sukhia, and Tallahassee businessman Jeff Moran are all running to succeed Graham. Each is striving for the mantle of most conservative, as the reconstituted district is now one of the state’s most Republican-leaning.
The quartet squared off last month at a debate-style forum in Panama City.
