The race to replace Florida Rep. Francis Rooney (R) is heating up as U.S. House Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has released the first wave of “Contender” candidates. It includes Dane Eagle (R), who is the Majority Leader of the Florida House.
Eagle faces over 6 other GOP candidates in the primary, which includes Byron Donalds and Dr. William “Dr. Fig” Figlesthaler.
In a statement, Rep. McCarthy commented that “these hardworking candidates have proven their ability to run strong, competitive campaign operations.”
He added that “we’re going to ensure these contenders are victorious in November by forcing their Democratic opponents to own their party’s radical socialist agenda.”
In response to the list that was released, Eagle praised McCarthy, thanking him “for his hard work to make Congress red again,” and adding that he is “honored to be on his list of Contenders.”
Eagle called it “a tribute to the hard work of our team and the loyal support we have received from the people of Southwest Florida.”
Eagle recently completely a fundraising haul of over $422,000 in his first finance report of his congressional campaign, which is more than all the other Republicans in the race combined.