A group of Republicans competing for the chance to take on U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Weston) will debate on June 28.
The debate will be held at 7 p.m. at the Old Davie School House, 6650 Griffin Road. It is sponsored by the Broward Republican Executive Committee and moderated by the Sun-Sentinel's politics reporter Anthony Man.
According to BREC, candidates Ozzie deFaria, Joe Kaufman, Gineen Bresso and Juan Eliel Garcia have confirmed. Karen Harrington won't be there because she had already scheduled a fundraiser for that night, said a campaign spokesman, Anthony Bustamante.
Bustamante said that BREC didn't give Harrington's campaign enough notice.
"We literally got notice like a week and a half ago," Bustamante said. "We already had prior engagements that evening. We have already been at two other forums -- it's not like we haven't participated in getting Karen's message out."
The Republicans face an uphill battle against DNC chair Wasserman Schultz who has raised more than $2 million.They are competing in Congressional District 23 which includes parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Both deFaria and Harrington have gotten the "On the Radar" nod from the National Republican Congressional Committee. Both have also earned some big endorsements: deFaria has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. John McCain and Harrington has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota).
The debate is open to the public. The candidates agreed on the format which includes GOP clubs submitting some questions in advance.
To defeat Debbie Wasserman Schultz we need the most electable candidate and that candidate is Juan Eliel Garcia.
Vote Juan Eliel Garcia for Congress District 23!
www.juanelielforcongress.com
Posted by: Chelsea | June 20, 2012 at 03:57 PM
Ozzie has the by far the most qualifications. He is a career businessman who has truly lived the American Dream. I am not surprised that Karen won't debate him as her credentials don't quite live up to Ozzie's.
Posted by: Craig Winson | June 20, 2012 at 04:57 PM
The cream will rise to the top as Ozzie will rise above the other candidates. I believe his business credentials will allow him to beat Debbie Wasserman Schultz!!
Posted by: Nicole Gelbert | June 20, 2012 at 05:01 PM
Meet the REAL REPUBLICAN conservative who will Fire Debbie-Wasserman-Schultz!
Vote GINEEN BRESSO for CONGRESS!
Watch the video! Join the wave! Vote, support, contribute now!
http://gineenbresso.com/2012/05/14/gineen-bresso-addresses-the-broward-county-gop/
"WIN WITH GIN!”
Posted by: AlexB | June 20, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Can't the Republicans come up with someone better? Karen Harrington couldn't debate her way through a paper bag. She can thank Mommy and Daddy for giving her the family business. Ozzie has a shady past. Let's hope next round we get a winner to beat Debbie.
Posted by: Michelle Smith | June 20, 2012 at 07:23 PM
Ozzie has been honest about his past. He has everything a candidate needs to take on Debbie.
Posted by: Nicole Gelbert | June 20, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Ozzie is the best qualified and a fiscal and social conservative.
Posted by: Gordon | June 21, 2012 at 05:43 AM
Fitting that a RINO like Harrington would receive support from another faux conservative McCain. And deFaria's campaign is spiraling out of control so quickly because of his shaky past and character flaws--the voters will likely not approve of a candidate who has been accused of what has already been made part of deFaria's public record.
Joe Kaufman is the only candidate in this race who has the national security background in fighting terrorist sympathizing groups at home, as well as the economic plan that will put South Floridians back to work. www.KaufmanforCongress.com
Posted by: Craig | June 21, 2012 at 07:14 AM
Not a word about Wasserman's own SWISS Bank Account(s), Offshore Investments, and Offshore Banks?
Posted by: SavageNation | July 13, 2012 at 07:30 PM