Orlando Rising
July 15, 2018
Winter Springs Republican David Smith announced added three major endorsements for his campaign to succeed term-limited Rep. Jason Brodeur this week.
Smith, the lone Republican running for House District 28, was one of several dozen candidates endorsed Monday by the Florida Realtors, and later in the week he added endorsements from the political arms of the Florida Medical Association and Florida Right to Life.
The FMA endorsement came in by way of a message from FMA PAC president Dr. Mike Patete, who wrote “I am pleased to inform you the FMA PAC Board of Directors voted to endorse your candidacy for House District 28,” he wrote. “FMA looks forward to working with you to address health policy issues affecting Florida’s physicians and their patients.”
Florida Right to Life, a conservative group that opposes all abortions, also made their endorsement via a personal letter. In it, Florida Right to Life chair Jan Halisky said, “the endorsement indicates that you are the best pro-life candidate in the race and is a recommendation that our members and supporters vote for you.”
The new endorsements add to a massive pile for Smith, who recently added Associated Builders and Contractors, state Sen. David Simmons and Brodeur to his list of backers.
“I greatly appreciate these endorsements and support of their members here in Florida,” he said. “Since launching my campaign for House District 28 over a year ago, I’ve worked hard to build a strong coalition of support. I’m proud to have Florida Right to Life PAC, Florida Medical Association and the Florida Realtors on my team.”
Smith faces Casselberry Democrat Lee Mangold in the general election.
As of July 6, Smith led the money race with more than $125,000 raised and another $85,000 in candidate loans. He has $140,325 on hand. Mangold, who recently picked up an endorsement from Florida Planned Parenthood, has raised $22,560 and kicked in $10,000 in candidate loans. He has $15,845 in his campaign account.
HD 28 covers part of northeastern Seminole County, including Sanford, Winter Springs, Casselberry and Oviedo. Republican voters make up nearly 40 percent of the electorate in the Central Florida district, compared to a 33 percent share for Democrats.
Election Day is Nov. 6.