Foley Officially Launches Bid for U.S. Senate

Foley Officially Launches Bid for U.S. Senate

NewsMax.com
Tuesday July 8, 2003

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –- Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) today filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, officially launching a bid for the U.S. Senate. At the same time, he filed paperwork establishing a fundraising committee for his Senate campaign.

"Floridians deserve a senator who will work with President Bush combating terrorism, supporting his economic growth plan and providing a prescription drug benefit for our seniors," said Foley. "Every step of the way, Bob Graham has abandoned his reputation as a bipartisan lawmaker and has established himself as an enthusiastic cheerleader for the liberal obstructionist wing of the Democratic Party.

"Our campaign has garnered strong enthusiasm from Republicans in every region of the state. The response to our conservative message has been extremely encouraging.”

Foley substantially leads his potential opponents on every front: Fundraising, endorsements and in organizational support from party activists and leaders.

As of June 30, Foley raised over $3.1 million in his House campaign committee, with over $2.8 million cash-on-hand remaining. The entire balance will be transferred to the Senate campaign committee and the House committee will be terminated.

Foley has secured the endorsement of 33 conservative Republican state legislators – many from the Central Florida region in which his potential opponents reside.

In recent weeks, top Republican Party operatives have signed onto the Foley campaign. David Johnson, executive director of the Republican Party of Florida until this year, and Sarah Owen, the assistant director of party development, both joined the Foley campaign in key roles.

"I've spent the last six months meeting with Republicans all across Florida. Whether in Pensacola or Miami, people are tired of Bob Graham's abandonment of Florida's interests in favor of his own presidential ambitions," Foley said. "The people of Florida want a senator who will work as a team with President Bush rather than leveling daily attacks on him. They are looking for a lawmaker who will support his conservative policies instead of obstructing them."

As a freshman in Congress, Foley was appointed by Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX) to serve in leadership as one of his closest advisors as a Deputy Whip. He was later appointed to a coveted position on the powerful Ways and Means Committee by the Republican leadership.

Foley has served as one of President Bush's most consistent allies in the House. According to the non-partisan Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, Foley voted to support President Bush's policies 90 percent of the time – the third highest percentage in the Florida delegation.

He has earned high scores from conservative groups like the National Federation of Independent Business (100 percent), American Conservative Union (92 percent), Americans for Tax Reform (95 percent), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (95 percent), Associated Builders and Contractors (100 percent) and the National Rifle Association ("A" rating).

Foley is currently serving his fifth term in the United States House of Representatives. He previously served in the Florida State Senate, State House and on the Lake Worth City Commission.

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