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1/27/14, "George P. Bush’s PAC backed Fla. lawmaker resigning after cocaine bust," Dallas Morning News, Ben Kamisar
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4/22/14, "Tea party candidate Curt Clawson wins Republican primary to replace former Rep. Trey Radel," Tampa Bay Times, Alex Leary
"Curt Clawson, a businessman who was little known months ago in Southwest
Florida, won a contentious GOP primary Tuesday to fill the U.S. House
seat left open by the scandalous downfall of Trey Radel.
Clawson, 54, pitched himself as an
outsider against more established candidates and was embraced by the tea
party. He poured more than $2 million into television ads. In one, the
former Purdue basketball player challenged President Barack Obama to a
three-point contest.
The Bonita Springs resident took about 38 percent of the vote in the
Congressional District 19 race, besting several rivals, including state
Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, whose swift rise to prominence in Tallahassee
made her an establishment favorite. Benacquisto was fighting for second
place with former state Rep. Paige Kreegel.
"I got into this race because I felt like we needed more outsiders in
Congress," Clawson said in a tweet. "The career politicians aren't
getting the job done."
Clawson has to run in a general special election set for June 24 but
enters as the favorite against Democrat April Freeman; the district is
solidly Republican.
He would replace Radel, who was elected in 2012 and made a name for
himself among Washington reporters for his incessant use of social
media. Then Radel was arrested buying cocaine from an undercover police
officer in Washington. Radel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and
eventually resigned amid widespread calls to do so.
More than $6 million was spent on the primary, with Clawson leading
the way. Several super PACs also got involved, helping add to the
negative tone, and raising questions about close ties to candidates.
Clawson outlasted scrutiny of his record as an automotive industry
executive and a TV report about a sex offender that lived in one of
Clawson's homes, sold just before he entered the race.
As Clawson climbed in the polls, he drew support from former Rep.
Connie Mack, who held the seat before Radel, and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul,
R-Ky. The Tea Party Express gave him another boost. The group on Monday
was feeling bullish about Clawson's chances, proclaiming the race was
the "first tea party vs. establishment showdown" of 2014."
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