They said this was an R +30 district. They were wrong.
This week's campaign update comes with some news that should terrify Matt Gaetz, Ron DeSantis, and the complacent party types who have abandoned Florida's 1st.
Keeping my promise to fight for veterans
Community events (past and future)
Collecting ballot petitions
Our first poll will be released next week. Get ready to be shocked (in a good way).
Keeping my promise to fight for veterans
When I started this campaign, I made a promise to fight for veterans on every front I could. I made good on part of that promise last week when I wrote a check for $10,000 to the Monument to Women Veterans' effort to build the first monument dedicated to women vets in the country - and it's being built right here in Pensacola! The facility will be more than a long-overdue monument; the location will also act as a service center to connect all veterans in the country with their benefits.
I also met Jamie Wells of Defenders of Freedom, and as he explained the goals of his program and the veterans they have supported here in Northwest Florida, I felt compelled to help their mission, as well.
"Defenders of Freedom's primary goals are to provide care and transitional support for our Troops and Veterans, assistance with basic living necessities through short-term emergency financial support, address imminent physical and mental health issues, improve morale, keep Veterans engaged in a supportive community, and to provide access to Veterans with TBI to a comprehensive treatment protocol. "If you would like more information about our program you may contact us at: donna@defendersoffreedom.us or jodi@defendersoffreedom.us"
2. The Santa Rosa Historical Society's annual Ghost Walk, as well as upcoming events.
Milton's annual Ghost Walk was a blast to be a part of, thanks no less to one of my campaign staffers, Donny West, who also serves as the Vice Chair for the Santa Rosa historical society! We've been trying to attend as many community events as possible so that we can talk to members of who community and ask them what they want to see their congressional representative work on. If you know of an event you'd like us to attend, please email us at: Info@RebekahJonesCampaign.com
Want to catch us out and about? Find us at:
- The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival (website)
November 5, 2021 - November 7, 2021
Time: Fri. & Sat. 9:00 - 5:00 | Sun. 10:00 - 4:00
Location: Seville Square Park; 311 E Government St., Pensacola, FL 32502
3. We are still in need of ballot petitions from across the state!
We need a total of 2,568 ballot petitions in order to qualify to be put on the ballot next year. ANY registered voter in the state of Florida can complete a ballot petition -- it does not matter what county or party you are registered with. You can download the petition with additional information here.
4. Our first poll will be released soon.
When I jumped into this race, a lot of people told me to withdraw and run somewhere else. "You will never be as loved there as you are everywhere else in the country," one person told me. Others said the district's R+30 rating made it impossible for any person not running with the GOP to win.
They were all wrong.
Our detailed numbers will be released later in the week, but that "R+30" nonsense is just that -- nonsense. Just starting out, in a head-to-head against Matt Gaetz, it's barely an R+8. That's right. In the very beginning of our campaign, we've already shaved off 22 points from the incumbent's lead (assuming he doesn't resign and toss a special election to Desantis). And we're just getting started. And we accomplished that without Twitter, without millions of dollars, without the kinds of resources being poured into other campaigns in the state. Imagine what we could do if people invested in this race!
Establishment party-types didn't expect me to come into this race and focus on building coalitions rather than sowing division. The amount of support I've received from republicans in my district has been comforting, but not surprising: a candidate who fights against corruption, dark money in politics, and millionaires who do nothing to help our people has broad appeal across both parties.
Stay tuned for the full data release.