MAGA Republicans Buying Votes in Florida. They’re Getting Desperate.

Money in politics often acts as an invisible force slowly eroding our democracy. As a candidate running a grassroots campaign for Congress, I finally got to see those hidden forces waltz right into the Florida sunshine. 

My opponent, Congressman Brian Mast, recently teamed up with Charles Koch and Americans for Prosperity to buy gas for 150 voters. The first 150 people to show up at a gas station could fill up their tank for $1 a gallon. As a candidate for Congress, I do not believe campaigns should be able to buy support.

Our opponent's partnership demonstrates his willingness to invite large corporations to the table, something I absolutely oppose. 

The purpose of the event was to claim that, somehow, without “Bidenomics” gas would cost $1 a gallon. But gas hasn’t cost $1 a gallon since the 1970s (including when President Trump was in office). This political stunt has nothing to do with reality. But it's just one example of how my opponent is so desperate for popularity that he has to pay for press attention, instead of passing real policies that could help people here in Florida.

Today, I’d like to present a challenge to you. I have refused to take a nickel from Big Business. But I’m fighting Charles Koch, the oil industry, and every other interest group that has their hands in the Brian Mast campaign. I believe our government should be free from the poisonous influence of corporate lobbyists, and my campaign has set an example. Unfortunately, my opponent continues to partner with large corporations that do not reflect the will of the people. That’s why I need your help today. Small dollar donors are the heart of my campaign, so if you could send me $25 it would go a very long way. 

Also, let me be absolutely clear in print. I am not claiming that Brian Mast, Charles Koch, or Americans for Prosperity did anything illegal. I checked with a lawyer and was very disappointed. They’re technically in the clear. But the fact that you can practically give voters a gift worth over $50 and then ask for their vote is a catastrophic failure of our election laws. Everyone should have a say in a democracy, and nobody should be able to win a campaign because they can buy support. We need to get money out of politics and pass comprehensive campaign finance reform. But in the meantime, fighting billionaires and special interest groups means that we have to rely on the goodwill and generosity of engaged citizens like you. We have to stick together if we’re going to save our democracy.

Help me defeat Brian Mast and stand up to big business by making a donation to our campaign!

Thomas Witkop, Witkop for Congress Campaign

Re-posted from DailyKos.com, September 16, 2024 content post.