Mitch Perry
The Florida Democratic Party is accusing Ross Spano of sexism after the Dover Republican sent out a mailer questioning the experience of Rena Frazier, his Democratic opponent in the House District 59 race.
The front of the mailer in question reads, “Important Message: Turn This Card over to learn more about Rena Frazier’s experience.” The flip side shows a mock resume, with the word “IINSUFFICIENT” stamped across the page, with nothing underneath it. A message at the bottom reads, “Our community is too precious to leave it up to chance. Stand up for our community. Just say to no Rena Frazier.”
Frazier is, like Spano, an attorney. She’s a partner at the law firm of Quarles & Brady L.L.P in Tampa.
A statement issued by the House and Senate Victory committee on Friday bashed Spano and the Republican Party of Florida for issuing the mailer, saying that they “should be ashamed of themselves for this baseless and sexist attack on Rena Frazier.”
The statement also criticizes Spano for supporting two restrictive abortion bills, as well as voting against a bill to repeal Florida’s archaic ban on cohabitation between unmarried men and women.
“Whether it’s trying to make their healthcare decisions for them or dictating who they can live with, Ross Spano continually tells the women of Florida that he knows what’s best for them,” said the Florida Democratic Party’s Anders Croy. “The question must be asked: if Rena Frazier doesn’t measure up to Ross Spano’s standards for elected office, what woman does?”
In response, Spano says the issue has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with experience.
“Rena Frazier is untested and unproven,” he said. “The voters of District 59 know exactly where I stand. In the four years I’ve served this community, I’ve been a tireless advocate for the victims of human trafficking. I’ve fought to protect our children from sexual predators. I’ve worked to increase economic opportunities for women through job creation and small business initiatives.”
Spano continued, “Other than the partisan and personal attacks we’ve received from Rena and her handlers at the Florida Democratic Party, which are frankly out of touch with the values and concerns of this district, we don’t know where she stands on the issues that people care about. My campaign has always been about these issues and my record in Tallahassee supports that and speaks for itself.”
