Democratic Navy Veteran Challenges Spano

Freshman Rep. Ross Spano (R) will be facing his first reelection opponent as Democrat Adam Hattersley has announced that he will run for Spano’s seat in 2020.

Spano, who represents Florida’s 15^th Congressional District, is set to face a difficult reelection campaign as Democrats feel they have a chance to take the seat.

Hattersley, an engineer, a small business owner, and a Navy veteran who earned a Bronze Star during the Iraq War, made the announcement this week, asserting that he believes “we’re in a desperate need of leaders who will serve with honor and integrity and put country before party.”

Moreover, Hattersley commented that “those are the lessons that I learned as a U.S. Navy officer and it’s why I’m running for Congress.”

Last year, Hattersley was elected to an open seat in state House District 59, which was previously held by Spano.

In response, Sandi Poreda, Spano’s campaign spokeswoman, noted that “regardless of whoever his opponents are, Congressman Spano will continue his laser focus on serving the people in District 15.”

As well, Poreda mentioned that “the Congressman has kept his finger on the pulse of the District and is proud to report that the economy is showing continued signs of growth, unemployment is at historic lows, and optimism is spreading across District 15.”

Spano’s district is considered a Republican district, and he won his election in 2018 by a 6-percent margin despite Democrats taking control of the House said year.