Martin O’Malley to stump for Margaret Good in Sarasota

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley will campaign in Sarasota next week in support of House District 72 Democratic candidate Margaret Good.

O’Malley ran for the Democratic presidential nomination two years ago, dropping out of the race after a disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses. He is among several dozen Democrats considering a 2020 White House run and in recent months, has campaigned for local and statewide candidates throughout the country, including an October appearance for St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.

Good is locked in an intense battle for the open House seat against Republican James Buchanan. A recent poll showed Buchanan, the son of Congressman Vern Buchanan, with a precarious three-point lead.

O’Malley served as a Baltimore city councilman (and later mayor) before advancing to lead Maryland from 2007-2015, but his tenure in office doesn’t impress the Buchanan campaign.

Buchanan campaign manager Nick Catroppo said the appearance demonstrates Good is out of step with voters in northern Sarasota County.

“During his failed time in office, Marylanders were hit by 40 tax hikes,” he remarked.

“From raising the state’s sales tax to more than quadrupling vehicle title fees, he cost Marylanders $9.5 billion. Additionally, he took away money from hardworking families by raising income taxes,” Catroppo added. “Margaret is out of touch with families here in Sarasota for wanting to bring liberal O’Malley’s tax and spend policies to our state. It’s clear that Margaret is just plain bad for Sarasotans.”

Meanwhile, Good’s campaign released a statement Friday denouncing Buchanan for bankrolling his campaign with money from outside the district.

Earlier this week, Buchanan blasted Good during a debate on that count, charging that most of her contributions came from out-of-state addresses in New York and California.

“Only a handful of his most recent campaign contributions were from actual people who live in District 72,” said Reggie Cardozo of House Victory. “The voters won’t be fooled by his cynical campaign being run and paid for Tallahassee insiders and big-money corporate PACs.”

The fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 7; the election takes place Feb. 13.

In addition to Buchanan and Good, Libertarian Alison Foxall is also on the ballot.