Super PAC Spent $10 Million in Bid to Defeat Anna Paulina Luna: ‘You Can’t Buy Pinellas’

SAINT PETERSBURG (FLV) – Liberal Super PAC Progress Pinellas spent a grand total of $10 million in the 13th Congressional District race to bolster Democrat Eric Lynn, only to be defeated by Republican Anna Paulina Luna by 8 points.

“You can’t buy Pinellas,” Luna told Florida’s Voice.

It was previously reported that Progress Pinellas PAC has spent nearly $5 million dollars against her, but records show that another $5 million was dumped a month before the election, making the total $10 million.

Progress Pinellas PAC funding comes from billionaire Justin Ishbia, who is Eric Lynn’s first cousin.

Ishbia contributed $3 million on Oct. 4 and another $2 million on Oct. 18.

The large donation to the PAC places Justin Ishbia on the Top 25 list for “Individuals Funding Outside Spending Groups” on Open Secrets.

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

Before the election, Luna called out her opponent for “trying to buy this seat,” after learning about the Super PAC.

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.

Luna was endorsed by Former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis, 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.

Luna’s victory comes as the 2022 Midterm brought a red tsunami to Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida successfully flipped traditionally Democrat-heavy or Democrat-leaning counties across the Sunshine State, in some cases by double digit margins.

Miami, Palm Beach, Osceola, Hillsborough, and Pinellas county historically flipped red in the election.