State Senate Democrats Begin Statewide ‘Freedom’ Bus Tour, Republicans Label it ‘B.S. Express’
TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – As State Senate Democrats launch their “Florida Freedom” statewide bus tour in Tallahassee ahead of the election, Senate Republicans have dubbed it the “B.S. Express.”
The “Florida Freedom Tour” will make stops across the state for Democrats Loranne Ausley, Eunic Ortiz, Janet Cruz, Joy Goff-Marcil, Raquel Pacheco and Janelle Perez.
“We are proud to announce @SenateVictoryFL 1st ever statewide bus tour – The Florida Freedom Tour. Senate Democrats will meet voters where they’re at & share our message of freedom. Our slate of 5 pro-choice, all-female candidates will be fighting with us along the way!” Sen. Lauren Book said on Twitter.
In response, the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee released a campaign labeling the bus tour the “Florida Democrats B.S. Express.”
As the Democrats make the first pit stop in Tallahassee to campaign for Sen. Loranne Ausley, Senate Republicans released an attack ad against the incumbent, calling her views “extreme.”
“The Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee today welcomed the BS Express to Tallahassee with the launch of a new television ad, ‘Don’t Be Fooled,'” the FRSCC said.
Loranne Ausley wants you to believe she’s bipartisan. Don’t be fooled. Loranne Ausley isn’t just any Democrat. She’s extreme. Ausley supports taxpayer-funded sex change operations for minors and transgender men competing in women’s sports. We need more common sense and less nonsense from radicals like Loranne Ausley. Loranne Ausley: too extreme for North Florida.
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Ausley has served in the state legislature since 2000 and has served on a variety of boards for organizations. She faces Republican Corey Simon in the Senate District 3 race. Simon previously served as CEO of Volunteer Florida and began a success center to mentor the underserved population.
Corey Simon and Loranne Ausley Debate in Senate District 3 Race
There has been criticism over a mailer the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee paid for in the Senate District 3 race, which City & State reports is led by Book. The mailer depicted Simon, school kids, and a teacher on shooting targets.
Republicans Call on Democrats to Denounce ‘Disgusting’ Mailer of GOP Candidate on Shooting Target
Republican leaders and parents who lost children in the Parkland shooting have since harshly criticized the mailer. Republican State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, the senate president designate, called on Book to denounce the mailer in early October.
“That basic call for humanity shouldn’t have to wait until after the election. Minority Leader Book should denounce this mailer and hold accountable those who are responsible for its disgusting content immediately,” Passidomo said.
In a press conference Monday, Senator Book defended the mailer and claimed Simon is “nowhere to be found,” citing the Tallahassee NAACP President’s comments.
“The extreme GOP are the ones who put the targets on the backs of children,” Book said. “Let’s not feign how how over the top ridiculous a piece of mail is. Let’s talk about the policies that they want to bring forward that puts the targets on the backs of children and makes them unsafe.”
