Anna Paulina Luna: Super PAC Spending Millions Is ‘Trying To Buy This Seat’

Election Coverage 2022

By Amber Jo Cooper

Published Oct. 19, 2022, 2:24 p.m. ET | Updated Oct. 19, 2022

Anna Paulina Luna speaking with attendees at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore).

SAINT PETERSBURG (FLV) – Republican congressional candidate Anna Paulina Luna says a Super PAC with nearly $5 million dollars is “trying to buy this seat,” as she faces off against Eric Lynn in the 13th Congressional District race.

Recent reporting from Open Secrets shows liberal Super PAC Progress Pinellas has spent nearly $5 million dollars against her as she faces off against Eric Lynn in the 13th Congressional District race.

AdImpact says that Progress Pinellas (AKPD) placed $720k between broadcast from 10/20-11/8 and cable from 10/20-11/8. On broadcast, they say $589k was added to the Tampa market.

Luna responded to the reports saying, “I’ve received way more Pinellas donations than Lynn. Now they’re trying to buy this seat.”

I’ve received way more Pinellas donations than Lynn.
Now they’re trying to buy this seat.
The Obama/Perkins Coie/Soros connected donor aka Lynn’s cousin is spending more against me than ANY other single house race this cycle. Local press = blacking out my race. I’m a threat. pic.twitter.com/zXeQ66njYJ
— Anna Paulina Luna (@VoteAPL) October 19, 2022

Florida’s 13th Congressional District includes much of Pinellas County, including Seminole, Clearwater, and Palm Harbor.

Luna is a conservative activist and Air Force veteran who spent a total of six years in the military, including five on active duty.

Lynn is a former Senior Advisor to President Obama, national security expert, small business owner, community advocate, and St. Petersburg native.

Progress Pinellas funding comes from billionaire Justin Ishbia, who contributed $5 million dollars from 2021-2022, according to Open Secrets.

Ishbia is Eric Lynn’s first cousin, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Ishbia is a Founding Partner of Shore Capital, a microcap private equity firm based in Chicago, as reported by Forbes.

As of the end of September, Luna raised $2,672,826 and currently has $620,467 cash on hand. Lynn raised $1,850,224 with $798,964 cash on hand.

Luna’s endorsement list includes Former President Donald Trump, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-FL, U.S. Rep Burgess Owens, R-UT, U.S. Rep Jim Jordan, R-OH, among other endorsements.

Lynn is endorsed by Democrat gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, U.S. Rep Kathy Castor, D-FL, Former Florida Congressman Jim Davis, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-CA, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-NJ, U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, D-CA, St. Petersburg City Council member Copley Gerdes and Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard.

Florida’s Voice reached out to Lynn’s campaign for comment and will update this story if a response is received.