Ryan Nicol
Donna Shalala, the former University of Miami president running as a Democrat in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, is out with a pair of new TV ads making her pitch to voters.
The first is an English-language ad titled “Games” that criticizes the current federal approach to health care.
“Washington politicians are playing games with our health care, but this isn’t kids’ stuff,” says Shalala over video of children running around a model of the U.S. Capitol.
“Enough is enough,” she adds.
“Donna Shalala led the effort to provide care for millions of children and a world class health care system at the University of Miami,” says the ad’s narrator, referencing her past positions at UM and as Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Bill Clinton administration.
“Donna will push to expand Medicare while reducing the costs of prescription drugs and improving long term care.”
Shalala’s second ad is a Spanish-language spot titled “El Alcalde,” or, “The Mayor.” The ad features commentary from Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdez-Fauli, who is supporting Shalala in the CD 27 race.
“They say big things come in small packages,” begins Valdez-Fauli, in Spanish.
“Donna Shalala will be very successful in getting results for South Florida. Donna will fight for what is just, reforming our immigration system, improving our schools and making sure that Universities are more accessible. She will also create good-paying jobs right here.
“Donna Shalala will make a major difference in Washington and she’ll be ready on day one.”
Shalala is competing in the Democratic primary with former Knight Foundation Program Director Matt Haggman and former University of Miami academic adviser Michael Hepburn, state Rep. David Richardson, and Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
The winner will head to the general election to try and win the seat now occupied by longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who decided not to run for re-election in 2018.
