Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier released a campaign ad featuring a child trafficking survivor praising him for his work fighting childhood exploitation as attorney general through social media this week.
The 30-second ad features "Kim" talking about being exploited and her work in child-rescue operations as an adult.
"My name is Kim. I primarily build missing children operations," Kim says. "The work is so near and dear to my heart because, as a child, I was exploited."
Attorney General Uthmeier announced the recovery of 163 missing children ranging from 2 months to 17 years old as part of "Operation Statewide Shield" in August. Operation Statewide shield is the largest child recovery operation in Florida history.
He also announced a large recovery operation known as "Operation Dragon Eye" last year.
"James Uthmeier drew a hard line in Florida," Kim continues. "He says, 'If you're gonna abuse children, or you think you're gonna exploit them for your own gain, do not come to Florida because he will pay the highest penalty for exploitation.'"
Kim also praised Attorney General Uthmeier for prosecuting the cases.
"They mean something to him. He's a father first," Kim says. "I am so grateful that James Uthmeier is our attorney general."
Uthmeier has made child recovery and human trafficking a priority on the job. In August, Uthmeier announced the arrest of 116 people allegedly involved in a human trafficking and child predator operation in Hillsborough County as part of "Operation Relentless Summer."
“These human traffickers and child predators prey on the most vulnerable in our communities, exploiting women and children for their own gain,” Uthmeier said at the time.
Uthmeier is competing against Democratic candidate Jose Javier Rodriguez for attorney general. The 38-year-old Republican has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis in the race.
The general election is Nov. 3.
