Drew Wilson
New Port Richey Democrat Linda Jack is out with a new ad hammering Republican Rep. Amber Mariano in her quest to flip Pasco County’s House District 36 back into the Democratic column.
The ad, titled “Better Leadership for West Pasco,” says Mariano has come up short in fulfilling the promises she made during her successful ouster of former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy two years ago.
“Amber Mariano promised to prioritize education, she promised to provide millions of dollars for flood relief, she promised to represent us. West Pasco deserves better leadership,” the ad narrator says, over a title card reading “failed leadership.”
The ad then shifts focus to Jack, a musician, educator and veterinarian who has been campaigning for the state House since June of 2017.
“I’m Linda Jack, and as a veterinarian people trust me to work hard, solve complex problems and do my very best to help,” she says in the ad. “I’ll be honored to serve as your next representative. Let’s work together to make West Pasco better than ever.”
Jack’s campaign didn’t say what kind of media buy was backing up the ad, though the Facebook Ad Archive confirms the 30-second spot has been running on the social media platform since Oct. 10 and has gathered between 10,000 and 50,000 impressions.
“Amber Mariano has failed us,” Jack said in announcing the ad. “She barely won in 2016 by promising she’d do the right thing for Pasco. I’m hearing a lot of buyers’ remorse around the district.
“Tallahassee is badly broken, and Amber Mariano has gladly joined the party,” she continued. “When our education system is failing, red tide is destroying our coast, and homeowners are left without protection all because politicians won’t keep their promises — it’s obvious we need a change.”
HD 36 covers the entire coast of Pasco County, including the communities of Hudson, Bayonet Point, New Port Richey, Beacon Square and Holiday.
Before Mariano became the youngest person ever elected to the Florida House two years ago, HD 36 was held by Murphy for three years. That election came down to 691 votes, and was considered an upset to some despite the district voting overwhelmingly for Trump.
Prior to Murphy the seat was held by Republican Mike Fasano, who is now Pasco’s Tax Collector. He crossed party lines to endorse Murphy in the 2013 special election to replace him.
The ad is below.
