The Case For A Progressive Democrat In A Red-Leaning Florida District-- Adam Christensen (FL-03)

 

Florida's 3rd congressional district is an unlikely place for one of the iconic races of the 2020 cycle. Obama lost the R+9 both times he ran-- with 44.2% in 2008 and 41.9% in 2012. Then Clinton did even worse-- 40.2%-- against Trump. Although Alachua County is solidly blue, it is the only one of FL-03's six counties that is. Alachua has the most voters but Clay County has nearly as many and it is far redder than Alachua is blue. And with Marion and Putnam counties this has made the district unfriendly territory for Democrats. In 2018, the blue wave never reached the district and radical right tea-bagger Ted Yoho beat Yvonne Hinson 176,616 (57.6%) to 129,880 (42.4%), with strong wins in 5 counties and a thrashing in Alachua.

And then three things came along to change the complexion of the congressional race: 4 years of Donald Trump, whose unique behavior has offended Republicans in Clay County Jacksonville suburbs in and around Middleburg, Green Cove Springs and Orange Park; the mishandled COVID pandemic which has brought Marion County 10,706 cases and 347 deaths, Alachua County 10,114 cases and 74 deaths, Clay County 5,966 cases and 117 deaths, Putnam County 2,335 cases and 50 deaths; and Adam Christensen, a political outsider and an energetic and dedicated smart young progressive, a very different kind if candidate than what FL-03 has seen before.

Christensen, who turned 27 last weekend, won his 3-way primary by concentrating his efforts not in bright blue Alachua County but by taking his populist message to the rural precincts of the district. Now he's working to persuade voters in those areas to back him in replacing Ted Yoho, who has decided to retire from Congress. Christensen has made more headway with independent voters in the rural counties than he has with Blue Dog Cheri Bustos and her DCCC, who have refused to take FL-03 seriously. Florida progressive icon and former congressman, Alan Grayson, looked at the race and endorsed Christensen, noting that "Adam chose a [campaign] URL-- ForTheManyNotJustMe.com-- that conveys why he is running for Congress: for the many, not just him. And, as it turns out, that is the most important thing in a candidate, because if you don’t start out with that in your heart, you’re sure not going to pick it up on the way. Good luck in FL-03, Adam. There’s only one right reason to run for Congress, and you’ve found it."

In his closing message to north-central Florida voters, Christensen wrote that those who have followed his race know his opponent has based her entire campaign on following an insulting GOP cookie cutter playbook unrelated to the real issues facing the district's families-- "attacking AOC and fear-mongering about progressive women of color in Congress. Why? Because just like her boss Ted Yoho, my opponent has no vision for our district. She’s not interested in helping people and knows she can’t win on the issues, so she resorts to constantly throwing out rightwing red meat to try to rally her base. Our campaign is the exact opposite. I'm running BECAUSE for too long our district has been neglected by Washington politicians like Yoho and my opponent while they use their office to pursue their personal ambitions." 

We believe the job of a Representative is to help their constituents secure a better life. That’s why we just released the most ambitious and innovative jobs plan our district has ever seen.

Our plan would create 32,715 jobs over the next 5 years just in Florida’s 3rd district alone, with widespread effects for job creation across the region. It’s a blueprint for a sustainable future with shared prosperity for all.

Our plan will:

• Invest in high speed rail
• Provide high speed broadband internet for all
• Recommit to supporting small businesses and farms
• Protect our towns and rural communities from destructive big corporations
• Bring tourism and talents back into our district

This is about a movement of all of us to create the change we seek in this world, to say enough is enough and stand up to fight back against corporate greed and a corrupt political establishment that have decimated our communities.

We believe that a better world is possible. And with your help, we can replace Ted Yoho and accomplish so much here in FL-3 and throughout the country.

Thank you for supporting our campaign, and standing up for progressive values that put people over profits.

A few days earlier, Christensen's campaign listed 10 reasons why voters should support him and not his GOP opponent. Please take a look and if you like what you see, consider sending him a last-minute contribution for his Get Out the Vote program by clicking on the Trump District Dems thermometer on the right.

1. He would be the youngest person in Congress. At age 27, Adam is the youngest Dem congressional nominee in the country. And if elected, would be the youngest sitting Congressperson. Let’s invest in the next generation of progressive changemakers.

2. Adam will stand up for working families. Growing up in post-Recession Indiana, Adam saw firsthand how corporate greed destroyed working and middle class communities. That’s why in Congress, he’ll always stand up to special interests and fight for working people.

3. He will fight for middle-class tax cuts-- including cost-saving, common sense health and education solutions like Medicare for All and Universal Pre-K.

4. This campaign is helping flip Florida blue. Our race is in a dead heat right now, and so is the state of Florida. If we can flip this district, our victory will help ensure Donald Trump is defeated in Florida and becomes a one-term president.

5. He will protect the environment and ensure no one gets left behind. Adam supports the Green New Deal to make sure that our community and environment survive for future generations.

6. He has a plan to create over 30,000 good-paying green jobs in FL-3. Adam believes everyone deserves a good union job with a living wage.

7. Adam will fight for dignity and justice for all. From comprehensive immigration and criminal justice reforms, to caring for our veterans and people with disabilities, Adam will fight to ensure that in the wealthiest country on earth, everyone is treated fairly and gets a dignified life they deserve.

8. He will fight to end predatory business practices. Adam’s day job is catching corporate fraud. From cash bail to Big Pharma price-gouging, Adam will stand up to greedy corporations that cheat and rip off working people everyday.

9. He will fight for small business. Adam successfully started two companies on his own, and knows the struggle of small business owners trying to provide good benefits for their employees while growing their businesses. That’s why he’ll fight to make Medicare for All a reality, and will make sure the federal government provides direct investment and assistance to help small businesses thrive.

10. He has the cutest dog! Look at his pomsky puppy Pummel!