Ryan Ray
Rep. Matt Gaetz says his campaign has rustled up enough petitions to qualify for the 1st Congressional District ballot, well ahead of a late June deadline.
Gaetz put out a statement to mark the occasion.
“I want to thank the enthusiastic army of volunteers who helped us collect petition signatures across Northwest Florida. We are running a grassroots campaign, and by collecting thousands of petitions to qualify for the ballot, it is clear our message to fight Washington and restore America with clear, Constitutional principles is resonating with fellow conservatives,” Gaetz said.
“The 2016 election is critical to our nation’s future. We must build a wall to stop illegal immigration, fight radical Muslim terrorism with all we have, balance the budget, protect our veterans and military families, and stand up for our Second Amendment rights. I look forward to the campaign ahead and sharing our message for bold conservative reform,” Gaetz continued.
Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, is squaring off against Milton Sen. Greg Evers in a GOP primary, where the race will almost certainly be decided, due to the district’s deep-red bent.
The benchmark for qualifying on the ballot is 2,298 signatures. Congressional candidates have until noon on June 24 to submit the signatures to the state for verification.
The announcement that Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller will retire after 2016 set off a scramble to replace him.
Among more than a half-dozen electoral maneuvers, Gaetz himself dropped out of a Senate race to replace his father, former Senate President Don Gaetz, in another western Panhandle seat in order to run for Congress.
The CD 1 seat was held by MSNBC commentator Joe Scarborough from 1995 until 2001.
