Today, Americans for Tax Reform recognizes the candidates in Florida’s First Congressional District who have taken the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to the American people ahead of Tuesday’s primary. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a written commitment to their constituents and the American public to oppose tax hikes.
- Cris Dosev (R)
- Rebekah Bydlak (R)
- James Zumwalt (R)
- State Rep. Matt Gaetz (R)
- State Sen. Greg Evers (R)
Candidates running for office like to say they will not raise taxes, but often turn their backs on the taxpayer once elected. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge requires these candidates to put their rhetoric in writing. It is offered to every candidate for state and federal office and to all incumbents. Nearly 1,400 incumbent elected officials, from state representative to governor to US Senator, have signed the Pledge.
Pledge signers include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, and GOP Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady are also pledge signers.
On the state level, approximately 1,000 incumbent state legislators are Pledge signers. Thirteen incumbent governors are pledge signers including Scott Walker (R-Wis.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Nikki Haley (R-S.C.), and Pat McCrory (R-N.C.).
“The American people are tired of the tax-and-spend policies coming from Washington and they are looking for solutions that create jobs, cut government spending, and get the economy going again. Signing the Pledge is the first step in that process,” said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform.
In the 114th Congress, 48 U.S. Senators and 220 members of the U.S. House of Representatives are pledge signers. That’s about 90 percent of incumbent Republicans in the House and Senate.
“We are ecstatic about their commitment to the taxpayers of Florida. I challenge all candidates for Florida’s 1st Congressional district to make the same commitment to taxpayers by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge today,” continued Norquist.
Florida’s primary will take place on Tuesday, August 30.