Drew Wilson
Ned Hancock is in the middle of a competitive Republican primary in House District 55.
He and Kaylee Tuck have both raised six-figures for their campaigns to succeed term-limited Rep. Cary Pigman.
Both candidates have profiles that play well among Republican voters. They’ve got connections in the agriculture industry and proudly describe themselves as pro-Donald Trump.
But while the candidates have much in common, they differ in one key area: Hancock donates to Democratic candidates and Tuck doesn’t.
It wasn’t a one-time thing, and it isn’t ancient history. Hancock has donated to Democratic candidates for the past 25 years.
The contributions range in size from a $50 check to Joe Spratt’s state House campaign in 1996, to a $1,000 check to former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s reelection bid in 2005.
He gave to Dan Gelber over Pam Bondi in 2010. The same year, he gave to Alex Sink over Rick Scott. He contributed to the Democratic candidates running against Jeb Bush multiple times, despite claiming less than two weeks ago that Bush was the best Governor in Florida’s modern history.
His most recent trip across the aisle was a $100 check to Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in November 2018 — to his credit, it came a day after Fried’s victory was made certain.
In the same cycle he also chipped into Kristen Carlson’s campaign against now-U.S. Rep. Ross Spano, though that one could be considered prescient considering Spano’s troubles following his narrow victory.
In a purpler district the contributions could likely be brushed off, but HD 55 is decidedly red — in 2018, Pigman won reelection with nearly two-thirds of the vote.
Hancock does have a financial advantage in the race, nearly doubling Tuck in fundraising through July 10.
Whether that’s enough to keep #LiberalNed from trending remains to be seen.
4 comments
Susanne Simon
July 21, 2020 at 11:59 am
This is factually incorrect. Kaylee Tuck has also supported a democrat- one that ran against Carey Pigman- Crystal Drake in 2012. Florida Election records can confirm that she not only donated but worked the campaign.
Are we really going to vote for a child, with no work experience to speak of, no business experience, over a trusted, seasoned businessman? Ned’s track record of serving our community dates back to before Kaylee was born. That is a fact.
Not to mention Kaylee does not live in our district- how can you be a lobbyist for a Fort Myers law firm (as a young associate- not a partner) and fulfill the needs of the people? Please explain this to me- I am a young professional myself, and when I was her age I was working 60-70 hours a week at a minimum.
Harold Piskura
August 3, 2020 at 7:24 pm
I don’t see anything wrong with a younger representative. Look what we have in D.C., a geriatric nursing home. Milking the public teat dry. He supported Nikki Fried over Denise Grimsley, I happen to be fond of our second amendment to the constitution. Yes, I know Denise supported him and I know why.
All politics begins at home.
Vania Walters
July 21, 2020 at 10:22 pm
So you’re claiming that he’s liberal for voting/supporting outside of his party? This article is a pathetic attempt to pander to blindly “conservative” voters. I applaud Mr. Hancock for supporting the best candidates despite their party affiliation. Let’s improve that hashtag to get you trending. #writebettercontentdrew
Susanne Simon
August 3, 2020 at 7:49 pm
He absolutely did not support Nikki Fried in the election- he supported Denise, and then Matt, who both support him. The $100 donation was made AFTER Nikki was elected as an act of respect, one that almost all ag business owners made. $100 is far less than he gave Denise. Kaylee Tuck is a menace, and will do nothing but cause District 55 to continue to fall behind. I am 33 years old and I firmly believe Ned is the right choice.
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