Mitch Perry
The Tim Canova for Congress campaign announced Thursday it has taken in more than 200,000 individual financial contributions, more than any congressional campaign in history.
Canova is running against former Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida’s 23rd Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The winner in Tuesday’s primary will likely go on to represent the district in Washington since it is so Democratic-leaning.
Canova has now raised more than $3.5 million since he announced his candidacy in January, with an average individual donation of just $22. This month alone, the campaign says it has raised nearly $850,000 in online donations.
“It is humbling and gratifying to receive this kind of support from so many working people,” Canova said in a statement. “It means we are running the kind of campaign that is touching upon the issues that truly motivate and mobilize everyday Americans. My opponent relies upon the support of corporate interests; I owe my campaign to the people.” Added Canova, “What makes it even more rewarding, is that our campaign has received so many more donations in Florida than Wasserman Schultz.”
Canova’s reliance on so many small donations is reminiscent of the insurgent presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, who has endorsed Canova’s candidacy. However, he isn’t scheduled to campaign with Canova, despite the fact that he said he might do so back in July.
According to a Florida Atlantic University survey published in last Sunday’s South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Wasserman Schultz leads Canova by 10 percentage points, 50 percent to 40 percent. Wasserman Schultz has served as representative for the district since 2004.
Canova also released another ad today, where he bashes Wasserman Schultz for not coming out against fracking. The name of the ad is, “Fracking Flip-Flop.”
