PALM BEACH, FL—Gabrielle Fox, a Republican candidate for a hotly contested South Florida House seat, announced Tuesday that she will donate all of her salary to her church and other "pro-family" organizations.
If she's elected, that is—and in a race brimming with hopeful Republicans chomping at the bit to replace the termed-out Rep. Rick Roth—it will be a bitter battle.
"Seeing how corrupt not only other candidate's races are but also many elected officials across the country, this decision has been on my heart for over a year. I decided to go with that gut feeling rather than take the advice of consultants and others. If Trump can do it, why can't I? I may not be as wealthy but I have what matters most: my faith in Christ, my husband, and the fight to advocate for Florida families and small businesses," Fox said in a statement released Tuesday.
She referenced an odd debate over whether or not Trump donated his $400,000 salary—the answer? Yes; he donated $100,000 in 2017, $100,000 in 2018, $300,000 in 2019, and $100,000 in 2020.
Fox, who would donate the entirety of the $29,697 salary if she succeeds in HD 94, is currently in last place in terms of overall fundraising—with just over $9,000 in contributions and almost $8,900 spent. She significantly trails the apparent frontrunner, "MAGA" Meg Weinberger, by thousands.
Weinberger, an animal advocate, and Fox, a Palm Beach Republican Executive Committee member, will face off against nuclear engineer Christian Acosta and businessman Anthony Aguirre—in second place, fundraising-wise—for the Republican nomination on August 20th. After Trump endorsed Weinberger, both Acosta and Fox slammed the frontrunner, accusing her of paying for endorsements.
"It's all about the money and a lack of [the Trump] team's due diligence, which is unfortunate because when her scandals emerge, it's going to look bad on the president," Fox told The Floridian, though declined to explain or substantiate what "scandals" she was referring to.
Acosta, who lost the 2020 congressional primary to activist Laura Loomer, agreed, telling The Floridian, "She has a lot of money, she buys endorsements—it's no big deal."
So, did she buy the President's support?
"I have no idea, but I've never seen pictures of them together before, so I can't figure they know each other very well," he countered, before stressing that even though Trump chose to endorse Weinberger, he still believes in the former President. "It doesn't matter what Trump does for you, it matters whether you're willing to stick your neck out for Trump when you're not getting anything for it."
The Republican primary finalist will take on former Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Rachelle Litt on November 5th, the sole Democratic candidate in the heavily red district.
