Jacob Ogles
Republican congressional candidate Randy Fine is hammering his Democratic opponent for pulling a campaign salary.
A week out from a Special Election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, Fine criticized Democrat Josh Weil after federal campaign disclosures showed the candidate has received more than $9,500 in “candidate salary.” Fine listed that as one of several questionable expenses by Weil’s campaign.
“Every media outlet that has fallen prey to his grandiose claims of how much money he has raised owes it to their audience to expose how he has actually used the money,” said Fine, a Palm Bay Republican.
Weil announced last week that he had raised more than $10 million to run in the Republican-leaning district. His campaign brushed off criticism from Fine, who has reported less than $1 million for the race.
“Randy Fine is lashing out with lies and attacks because he knows he’s in trouble in this race,” Weil said. “Our campaign has the momentum, and that’s reflected in what we’ve seen in the early vote, because we remain focused on what truly matters to the voters. Our campaign is dedicated to protecting Medicare and Social Security and lowering costs, ensuring that our seniors and families have the support they need to thrive.”
Fine and Weil face each other in an April 1 Special Election to replace former U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who resigned to become White House National Security Adviser.
Weil’s campaign said federal law allows him to take a salary equal to his professional salary as a teacher while he is campaigning.
But Fine’s campaign spotlighted several unusual expenses even beyond Weil pulling a salary from his coffers.
That included more than $51,000 spent on an Airbnb rental on March 6, part of a total of $62,000 in such rentals over the course of the campaign. The campaign also spent $372,000 for “voter engagement event musicians/talent” through Vote Influencers.
Fine also criticized Weil for using ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform that has been criticized for pulling small donations from donors without permission. That tool, however, remains a popular one for Democrats to raise funds.
Fine in the past has criticized Weil for facing professional discipline for picking up a student by their throat. A canvasser for Weil was arrested in Flagler County earlier this month for passing out campaign literature while on a stolen bicycle, something else Fine has heavily criticized.
