Jacob Ogles
Allen Ellison, a two-time congressional candidate, said he will challenge Sen. Marco Rubio for his U.S. Senate seat in 2022.
“We have watched career politicians stand by and do absolutely nothing for our people,” Ellison said in a prepared statement. “We have watched them fill this nation with hate through their divisive rhetoric, and we have watched them line their pockets at the expense of the American people, while our fellow citizens struggle to make ends meet.
“I say enough is enough. We are in desperate need [of] visionary leaders with fresh ideas who care about the issues that matter to all of us.”
The Wauchula Democrat ran against U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, in 2018 and 2020. The first time, he stepped in as a replacement candidate after Democrat April Freeman’s untimely death while seeking an open seat in Florida’s 17th Congressional District.
He didn’t post huge numbers either time running in the deep-red district. But he developed experience as a federal candidate, and he learned the voice that comes with running for Congress, win or lose.
“Running for U.S. Senate would provide a greater opportunity to raise awareness on the reforms that are needed like Veteran suicides in this country, the disability issues, immigration and criminal justice reform,” Ellison told Florida Politics.
“Since making the announcement the support has been pouring in from across the nation. We have seen a major spike in support. I am humbled by the process. I will never stop using my voice to bring about positive change for the people.”
His fundraising in Southwest Florida also means he has some money in the bank. FEC records, which showed Ellison as a Senate candidate as of Monday, show he had $8,934 in cash on hand after the 2018 cycle.
He’s running now against one of the most prominent Senators in the country in Rubio, who said he will seek a third term. Rubio previously ran for President in 2016, losing to Donald Trump in the Republican primary.
Already, there’s a movement to challenge Rubio in his home state, and Ellison and supporters have adopted the #RetireRubio branding in an effort to oust the incumbent.
Rubio has also filed for reelection, and through his last FEC filing through September, he sat on $2,040,713 in cash on hand. The incumbent in 2016 won 52% of the vote against then-Rep. Patrick Murphy, the Democratic nominee that year who received 44% of the vote.
Democrat Josue LaRose and independent Carlos Jose Barberena have also filed for Senate with the FEC, but have reported no fundraising.
6 comments
Debra
December 1, 2020 at 8:06 am
So glad I ran across this information. I am a Floridian. Floridans want to get rid of DeSantis, Rubio & Scott. They have benefited from there time in Politics. We need new faces. People who really care.
Patricia J Shafchuk
December 1, 2020 at 10:57 am
Same here! No more waiting for the FL Dems to do something to fight the terrorism of graft and corruption!
Leslie Temples
December 1, 2020 at 4:43 pm
Agree with Debra above. I am a Floridian that wants to see Rubio, DeSantis and Scott gone. I hope this reporter is confirming that all the candidates are “REAL” candidates.
Jerry
December 3, 2020 at 2:19 pm
Really? Floridians want to see all the Republicans gone? Is that why the GOP just expanded their majority in the state legislature? Is that why Trump just won the state by 4 points?
Maybe Florida is just a conservative state. Stop pretending like it’s suppose to be liberal. It’s just not.
Pedro
December 4, 2020 at 3:20 am
I also totally agree that we have to vote Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and Rick Scott out. They have been a complete disaster. The Republican Party has become the Trump party. Trump has very serious character flaws and psychological problems. He cannot even concede the election, an honest election that he lost fair and square. He is such a sore loser. Ron DeSantis is a big Trump supporter. The Governor has shown no leadership fighting the coronavirus. On the contrary … His TV commercial involving his child was disgusting. Rick Scott wanted to stop counting votes twenty-four hours after Election Day to benefit Trump. I read he introduced a bill to this effect. How dare he disenfranchise voters like this! He doesn’t know what democracy is. Marco Rubio rightfully wants democracy for Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, but apparently not for the United States since he is silent about Trump’s attempts to steal this election. Scott and DeSantis are also silent about this. Vote all three out!
Magila
December 6, 2020 at 4:26 pm
I am a life long florida resident. NO MORE LEFT WING DEMOCRATS! Take I-95 north and leave.
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