Good has an endorsement from Joe Biden. Buchanan has accomplishments ‘few can match’
In a pair of Thursday morning announcements, both candidates running to represent Manatee County in the U.S. House of Representative boasted support from officials in Washington.
State Rep. Margaret Good announced that for the second time in two years, she has the support of Vice President Joe Biden. Biden also endorsed Good in her 2018 special Florida House election. This time, the Democratic presidential nominee is backing her campaign to unseat Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key.
“Margaret’s commitment to putting aside partisan politics to deliver results for working families is exactly what we need more of in Washington. I’m proud to endorse her candidacy for Congress,” Biden said in a prepared statement.
In her own statement, Good thanked Biden for his support and said she looked forward to working with him in Washington.
“Vice President Biden supported me in my special election for state House in 2018, and I’m so grateful to have his support again,” Good said. “On election night, I missed a call from him congratulating me on my win. I called him back and was so honored when he not only answered, but took the time to talk with me and give me advice on my new job.”
“That kind of thoughtfulness just shows you who Joe is — he really cares about people. And that’s exactly what we need in a President of the United States, now more than ever. I look forward to working with him next year to bring positive change to this district, Florida, and our country,” her statement continued.
Shortly after news of Biden’s endorsement, Buchanan’s campaign launched a new 30-second television ad highlighting the congressman’s 22 bills signed into law since he began representing the area in 2007.
“It’s a record of accomplishment few can match,” the ad says, noting that half of Buchanan’s legislation passed while Democrats held the House majority. “No matter the issue or the odds, Vern Buchanan gets the job done.”
Buchanan has passed bills that fund red tide research, target animal cruelty and provide federal funding for local projects.
“The theme of this campaign is very simple,” said Max Goodman, Buchanan’s campaign manager. “A congressman who has passed 22 bipartisan proposals into law versus an opponent with no accomplishments.”
Both candidates are running to represent Florida’s 16th Congressional District, which includes all of Manatee County and parts of Sarasota and Hillsborough counties. On Wednesday, Good and Buchanan agreed to an Oct. 23 debate hosted by METV.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 2:42 PM.
