Republican Judson Sapp files for another run in CD 3 against Ted Yoho

Second time around: Clay's Sapp makes another bid for Congress.

Clay County businessman Judson Sapp declared Monday he’s making a second run for Florida’s 3rd Congressional District with an announcement that expresses firm conservative values regarding abortion and the Second Amendment and unwavering support of President Donald Trump.

Sapp, of Green Cove Springs, lost a Republican primary bid to incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho.

With his announcement Monday, Sapp is the fourth Republican to file paperwork either at the federal or state level to get in the 2020 race. That includes Yoho, who voluntarily vowed to term-limit himself out of the 2020 election, though it is unclear whether he will run or not.

So Sapp joins a Republican primary field that for now includes Yoho, Amy Pope Wells, and Joseph Millado. Democrats who have filed are Philip Dodds, Tom Wells, and Brandon Peters.

Sapp is Chief Executive Officer of the W.J. Sapp and Son Railroad Contractor, which operates from the Carolinas through Louisiana.

Sapp’s 2020 election campaign introductory news release and video make no mention of taking on Yoho again, except for a couple of generic nods toward getting rid of politicians in Washington, including one reference to politicians who break promises. Instead, the announcement pledges to fight back against radical socialist Democrats.

The campaign video touts that Sapp has a 100 percent anti-abortion rating and an A rating from the NRA.

“He’ll stand by President Donald Trump,” the narrator states. “Like you, Judson Sapp has had enough of do-nothing politicians who break their promises, spend our money, and attack our President. It’s time to get rid of the politicians in Washington and put America first.”

Sapp’s support of Trump includes hosting a Trump Victory Committee fundraiser earlier this month at which Donald Trump Jr. appeared.

However, last year Trump endorsed Yoho over Sapp.

This summer, a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission charged that last year Sapp had illegally coordinated his campaign with that of a federal super PAC, to which his father contributed $50,000, which was used for an attack campaign on Yoho. Sapp’s treasurer, Nancy Watkins, asserted it was a frivolous complaint.

“As a father, husband, and businessman I am concerned about the future of our republic,” Sapp states in the news release. “Democrats are pushing a radical socialist agenda with no bounds — higher taxes, burdensome regulations, and significant erosions of our constitutional rights.”

“I’m running for Congress because I want to fight back — for your family and mine!” Sapp continued. “We need more businessmen in Congress who understand what it’s like to make a payroll, with firsthand experience of how government largesse often adversely affects our economic growth. It would be my honor to serve and bring some North Florida common-sense to Washington.”

CD 3 represents Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Putnam, Union counties, and northern Marion County.