With the withdrawal of two candidates from the Florida’s 9th Congressional District race, former congressman and current congressional nominee Alan Grayson (D-Orlando) will likely win the seat, according to independent race watchers such as Rothenberg Political Report and Real Clear Politics.
NPA candidates Mike Nieves and Roberto Sanchez both withdrew their candidatures from the race for Florida’s 9th Congressional District, earlier this week. This means that the stage is set for Grayson to have a classic one-on-one showdown with right-winger extremist Todd Long (R-Winter Park).
“I commend Mike Nieves and Roberto Sanchez for having involved themselves in the political process,” Grayson said reacting to the sudden withdrawal of Nieves and Sanchez. “I also applaud them for making the tough decision to withdraw for the good of the people of the 9th District. Now the voters have a clear-cut choice between my record and Todd Long’s radical agenda.”
Long has already declared that he wants to raise the retirement age to 70, impose a 23% national sales tax, end federal student loans and drill for oil in Florida both onshore and offshore.
Only two names will appear on the November ballot, Grayson and Long. And Nieves supports Grayson. In withdrawing from the race, Nieves issued the following statement:
“Hearing GOP candidate Todd Long’s characterization of illegal immigrants as murderers, rapists and kidnappers left me in total disbelief that someone with such views could possibly be able to represent fairly one of the most diverse Congressional Districts in our nation.
I am very concerned for all minorities across our entire nation should Mr. Long win in November.
“Mr. Grayson has shown support for the Latino community as a former Congressman so I would expect him to continue that support in the future. He also has the necessary finances to win. He must now deliver and I wish him the victory.
The Grayson campaign has already exposed Long’s extreme positions relating to the Hispanic community. Long supports Arizona’s immigration law. Regarding people who don’t speak English, Long wrote in his book, The Conservative Comeback, that “the quicker they learn our language, the better off we all will be.” Long also opposes the DREAM Act, which allows certain young undocumented people of good moral character to stay in the United States.
Grayson, who is the Democratic nominee for the new U.S. House of Representatives District 9, encompassing Orange, Osceola and Polk counties, is heavily favored to win this race.
