South Florida Democrats Raise Stakes

Garcia, Martinez & Taddeo Start Strong, Put Heat on Republican Incumbents By Out-raising Them in First Quarter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Incredibly, Democrats vying to unseat the three South Florida Republicans in Congress all outpaced their rivals in fundraising for the first quarter of 2008.

Further proof that these contests will be competitive, momentum continues to grow for the Democratic challengers with the latest national attention coming from the Wall Street Journal earlier this week. Additionally, the Republican incumbents have begun to lash out as the Democrats can win all three of the seats.

Former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, challenging U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21), led the pack with an astounding total of more than $616,000 - the second highest total in the country for a new challenger. Democrats Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo brought in $331,000 and $321,000 respectively, strong figures that buoy their surging campaigns.

In comparison, entrenched Republicans Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-22) raised approximately $613,000, $330,000 and $115,000, respectively.

A deeper look at Mario Diaz-Balart's report raises question about the younger Diaz-Balart's ability to stake his own claim. A political action committee, "DB Victory 2008," flooded the brothers' campaign coffers with $69,000 each on the last day of the quarter. The same PAC gave each Diaz-Balart nearly $120,000 at the end of 2007.

It's unclear why the Diaz-Balarts would need to funnel contributions through the committee, though the younger brother's comparatively weak fundraising could be the reason. The report furthers the argument that Mario Diaz-Balart can't succeed without riding Lincoln's coattails.

"Will Lincoln Diaz-Balart carry his brother along to the bitter end? The positive response that their Democratic challengers are earning endangers both their political careers," Florida Democratic Party spokesman Alejandro Miyar said. "The people of Florida want change, and their getting behind the strong Democratic candidates. It's an increasingly strong bet that South Florida will have new leaders in Congress this year."

Moreover, Mario Diaz-Balart has been criticized in recent weeks for finishing dead last among Florida's congressional delegation in his ability to deliver federal funding for his district.

Both Martinez and Garcia note the strong presence of Republican donors among their contributors. Also, Garcia has already received more individual contributions in one quarter than Mario Diaz-Balart has during his entire congressional career.