PATRONIS
On Friday, the Jimmy Patronis for Congress Campaign announced former Congressman Jeff Miller’s official endorsement of CFO Patronis for the seat he once held. Congressman Miller represented CD-1 in Congress for 15 years.
Congressman Jeff Miller said, “I have known and worked with Jimmy Patronis for many years. Jimmy has the experience and knowledge to serve residents of Florida’s first district. He is the results-oriented person we need in Congress. I am confident in Jimmy’s ability to provide first-rate constituent service to anyone and everyone who reaches out to his office in addition to championing America First policies. Jimmy is a man of integrity. He will be ready from day one to represent us well in our Nation’s Capital.”
As Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and senior member of the Armed Services Committee, Congressman Miller was a strong advocate for veterans and national security. He was instrumental in establishing new VA Clinics in the district, including the Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic. The “super clinic” was the first of its kind and is the prototype for many others around the country today.
VALENTINO
Patronis is the only President Donald Trump-endorsed candidate, but that hasn’t stopped former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino, who is also in the race, from attacking him.
On Jan. 16, Valentino called out Jimmy Patronis for “his ties to Americans for Prosperity, a globalist organization openly criticized by President-elect Donald Trump.”
He tried to allege that Patronis doesn’t support Trump or “Trump’s vision for America.”
“Jimmy Patronis cannot have it both ways,” Valentino said in the email to the media. “You can’t claim to support President Trump and his MAGA agenda while having support from anti-Trump groups like the AFP. President Trump has made it crystal clear—this globalist organization only stands against his America First policies. Patronis’s alignment with them proves that he is far from the true conservative leader Northwest Florida needs.”
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a conservative political advocacy organization founded in 2004 by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch. They own Koch Industries and were backers of the Tea Party movement during the Obama administrhttps://protectprosperity.comation.
It’s uncertain why Valentino labels them a “globalist organization.” It is one of the most influential conservative groups in the United States, with a significant presence in national, state, and local politics.
AFP primarily focuses on domestic U.S. issues, advocating for:
1. Limited government
2. Free market policies
3. Lower taxes
4. Reduced government spending
5. Deregulation
AFP does take positions on some international issues. Through its affiliate Concerned Veterans for America, AFP has advocated for a more restrained U.S. foreign policy, including withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and reducing military interventions abroad. This position, while internationalist in nature, is framed more in terms of American interests rather than global governance.
Valentino’s attack came three days after Americans for Prosperity launched a $20 million nationwide campaign calling on Congress to protect prosperity and renew President Trump’s highly successful Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) – a cornerstone of AFP and the Trump Administration’s shared legislative agenda this year.
FARMERS ACROSS AMERICA
Valentino did receive the endorsement of Farmers Across America, a coalition of dedicated farmers and agricultural leaders who recognize his commitment to protecting and advancing American agriculture.
“Farmers Across America proudly endorses Gene Valentino for District 1 Congressional Seat. After speaking with Gene, his history of success and his passion and commitment to protect our farms along with our agriculture, we feel that he is the best candidate to get the job done in Washington D.C. for us,” Velma Ann Ruth, Bernadette Pittman, and Salley Schuett of Farmers Across America said in a written statement.
- I can’t find the group on the internet, except for a private Facebook page with 275 members.
The Special Primary Election Day is scheduled for January 28, and the Special General Election is slated for April 1.
- For more information about Gene Valentino’s campaign, visit www.valentinoforcongress.com.
- For more information on Jimmy Patronis, visit https://joinjimmy.com/.
