Parkland Parents Criticize Democrat Mailer Putting School Children on Shooting Targets

Published Oct. 7, 2022, 4:37 p.m. ET | Updated Oct. 7, 2022

Democrat mailer

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Two parents, who lost children in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, criticized a Democrat funded mailer that pictured children, a teacher, and a Republican candidate on shooting targets.

Republican candidate Corey Simon faces Democrat incumbent Loranne Ausley in the Senate District 3 race. City & State reported images of a mailer, which on one side portrays Simon on a shooting target. The other side of the mailer included pictures of school children and a teacher in front of shooting targets with bullet holes.

The mailer was paid for by the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which City & State reports is led by Sen. Lauren Book.

Andrew Pollack, who lost his daughter Meadow in the 2018 school shooting, called out Democrats Sen. Lauren Book, Sen. Loranne Ausley, Sen. Janet Cruz, and candidate Janelle Perez on twitter.

“This is not okay. This is never okay. You wrap your arms around Parkland for photo ops then treat children like political pawns,” Pollack said on Twitter.

Ryan Petty’s daughter named Alaina died in the same school shooting. Since then, Petty has advocated for school safety policy. He was also appointed to the Florida State Board of Education in January of 2020 and serves on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission.

“Disgusting. Shame on you [Florida Democrats]. Shame on those that funded this,” Petty said. “This ad says more about you than it does about your political opponents.”

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Florida Republicans have also condemned Democrats for depicting Republican Corey Simon on a shooting target on the same mailer.

Republicans Call on Democrats to Denounce ‘Disgusting’ Mailer of GOP Candidate on Shooting Target

Republican State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, the senate president designate, called on Florida Senate Democrat Leader Lauren Book to denounce the mailer. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters said the ad puts “Corey Simon and others’ safety at risk.”

Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby and GOP nominee for state Rep. Berny Jacques released a joint statement Thursday saying the “divisive” and “ignorant” use of a black man on a shooting target “has no place in civil political discourse.”

Simon previously served as CEO of Volunteer Florida and began a success center to mentor the underserved population. He brought up the mailers in during a debate with his opponent last week.

“This latest attack on me from my opponent put children on targets with gun shot, with gun holes in them. Put me on a target,” Simon said. “In this current environment where we just had a 40 year old man run down an 18 year old kid for his political stance, I think that is a bridge too far.”

Ausley has served in the state legislature since 2000 and has served on a variety of boards for organizations. She was asked during the debate whether she approved the mailer and knew if it was going out.

“My campaign is not responsible for the mail piece. As you said it was put out by the Democratic Party. I have no control over what they send out,” Ausley said.

Corey Simon and Loranne Ausley Debate in Senate District 3 Race

During the debate, Simon said he supports the Guardian Program which allows certain armed and trained personnel to protect students at schools.

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