Janet Cruz releases first ad of campaign season, ‘That’s What I Do’
Janet Cruz gets big backup for her re-election fight.

Janet Cruz
The 30-second ad will air in English and Spanish.

Sen. Janet Cruz has launched her first ad of this campaign season as she approaches the General Election, where she faces Republican Jay Collins.

The 30-second ad, titled “That’s What I Do,” will air in English and Spanish on broadcast, cable and digital. In the ad, Cruz tells the story of her life in Tampa and lays out her platforms.

“I was born and raised here in Tampa. I was a mom at 16,” Cruz narrates while clips of individuals from Tampa play. “I know what it’s like to struggle to raise a family, so I know what Tampa families deserve from the people they vote for.”

Cruz continues by making a jab at recent Republican policy points, including anti-abortion legislation after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

“It’s not politicians fighting each other, it’s fighting to lower our costs. It’s not attacking women’s health care rights, it’s standing up for our freedoms and always fighting for good-paying jobs,” she says. “That’s what Tampa deserves, and that’s what I do.”

Cruz has served in the state Senate since 2018. She has already garnered endorsements from Democratic members of the Tampa Bay House delegation, including Democratic Leader-designate Fentrice Driskell, who was unanimously elected by House Democrats to the leadership role in May.

“Sen. Cruz has been a fighter for Hillsborough residents for decades and has a track record of accomplishments to run on,” Cruz’s Campaign Manager Juan Carlos Noble said in a statement.

“This ad highlights the work she had done to solve the problems families in Tampa are facing, her record of bringing jobs back to Tampa, and her commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose. Janet Cruz rises above politics, puts Hillsborough families first, and that’s why she’ll be re-elected in November.”

Cruz is headed straight into the General Election, where she faces Republican veteran Jay Collins.

The pair are in for a tough race, with Cruz boasting a hefty war chest — surpassing $1 million raised in mid-July. She started the month with over $600,000 cash on hand between her campaign account and affiliated political committee. Collins will start the new month with $358,959 between his two fundraising sources.

Collins pulled an endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis when he entered the race. Tampa businessman Shawn Harrison, who filed in April, left the race in response to Collins’ shift from a Congressional campaign to legislative.

SD 14 is a blue-leaning seat, but a competitive one. About 51.25% of voters under the new SD 14 lines favored Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential Election while 47.33% voted for Republican Donald Trump.

Kelly Hayes

Kelly Hayes studied journalism and political science at the University of Florida. Kelly was born and raised in Tampa Bay. A recent graduate, she enjoys government and legal reporting. She has experience covering the Florida Legislature as well as local government, and is a proud Alligator alum. You can reach Kelly at [email protected].


One comment

  • Julie

    September 16, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    SHe is running this ad to the point of it driving everybody crazy. Especially on the conservative networks. Is this a last ditch effort to convert us. How foolish and what a waste of money. Money she should have put to good use instead of running that nauseating ad every 15 min.

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