@alextdaugherty
Former Congressman Joe Garcia isn't hitting the airwaves anytime soon. The Democrat, who is running for his old 26th District seat in South Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys, is focused on saving funds for a potential general election matchup with Republican Carlos Curbelo.
"At some point we may look at doing television advertising," Garcia said. "Last time, the Koch Brothers and company spent almost $7 million attacking me and I have no doubt they will be back again."
The 26th District race promises to be one of the most expensive in the country, and Garcia appears to be saving resources instead of spending on his primary campaign with Annette Taddeo. The district was redrawn prior to this year's election and is seen as a prime pickup target for House Democrats.
"This is a district that's been redesigned on three separate occasions to try to keep me from winning," Garcia said.
Garcia represented the district for one term before losing to Curbelo.
Taddeo trails in the polls and must build her name recognition with voters before the August 30th primary. She has endorsements from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, EMILY's List and the AFL-CIO.
"If Washington knew how to win elections we would have a Congress that's Democratic," Garcia said in response to the DCCC's endorsement of Taddeo. "While it's very nice to be running for Congress for a year and a half, it's not my polls that say I'm winning."
Garcia chose not to highlight any policy differences with Taddeo, who recently touted her progressive stance on the Cuban embargo.
"I understand she wants to create a distinction and I'm sure I could too but its not worth it," Garcia said.
Garcia pointed out his long-term friendship between himself and Taddeo, stating that he attended fundraisers at Taddeo's house and that they have endorsed each other in previous elections before this year's primary.
He saved his sharpest criticism for Curbelo.
"Mr. Curbelo opposed DACA and now he is for it, or at least not going to oppose it," Garcia said. "This is a guy who opposes Obamacare and voted to shut it down on every single occasion, yet his district is one of the ones that has benefited the most in the country with healthcare."
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