As of Thursday, the supervisors of elections offices in the four counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton reported approximately 19,213 ballots returned. Of those ballots, 45.91% were from registered Republicans, 41.02% were from registered Democrats, 11.54% were from non-party affiliated voters, and 1.53% were from other minor parties.
No matter the outcome, Valimont has done something no Democrat has been able to do for several election cycles: force the Republican to spend money in the general election campaign.
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“She's done a great job with ads,” Ryan Wiggins said. “There's no question about it, and she has required Jimmy Patronis to spend money in this district, which is absolutely shocking in a general (election).”
Wiggins, a lifelong Pensacola resident, knows about the brutal world of political campaigns. She is currently the chief of staff for the Lincoln Project, a political action committee made up of Republicans that have left the party since the rise of Trump and bills itself as a pro-democracy organization dedicated to fighting “Trumpism.” Before joining the Lincoln Project, Wiggins was deeply involved in Republican politics, working for former U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller and in state government under multiple Republican governors. She also ran a political consulting firm that mainly had Republican clients.
Despite the money Valimont has raised, Wiggins said it’s an uphill battle for a Democrat in Northwest Florida.
"She's done a great job with ads," Wiggins said. "There's no question about it, and she has required Patronis to spend money in this district, which is absolutely shocking."
Despite the money #Valimont has raised, Wiggins said it’s an uphill battle for a #Democrat in Northwest #Florida. [2/3]