Alex Sink is running for C.W. Bill Young's congressional seat, will move to Pinellas

[brooklynite]

Source: Tampa Bay Times

ST. PETERSBURG — Alex Sink is running for Congress.

Florida's former chief financial officer and Democratic gubernatorial nominee on Tuesday confirmed exclusively to the Tampa Bay Times that she is jumping into the race to succeed late Republican U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young in a district covering much of Pinellas County.

Sink, 65, has begun looking for a Pinellas home and said she will move "imminently" into the district from her east Hillsborough home 45 minutes away.

"Washington's broken. And I, like everybody else I know, is angry and mad about the logjam, about shutting down the government, about not understanding the impact it was going to have on small businesses and people. The people up there just don't seem to be able to work together," said Sink, who had considered running for governor again but ruled that out in late September.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/alex-sink-announcement/2149702

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I'd say Charlie Crist now has a clean shot at Governor.

[Myrina]

1. Ugh - sounds like a carpetbagger.

We don't need them - on our side, or on the other side.

[brooklynite]

2. You have someone else?

[Divernan]

3. Her long history with this county/congressional district negates a carpetbagger charge.

"I am no stranger to Pinellas County," Sink stressed. "I have a long history here. I have been involved in doing business in Pinellas County for decades, and the people of Pinellas County have elected me twice. They voted for me to be their CFO and they voted for me to be their governor, in this very district."

In addition to helping lead four banks doing business in Pinellas, Sink said that as CFO she worked closely on the BP oil spill that affected the county, helped crack down on insurance agents scamming victims in Pinellas, and selected Largo to be the site of one of her office's two call centers, after consolidating 11 centers to save money.

"Do I know everything there is to know? Of course not," Sink said. "But I'm no stranger, and it has to be about whether or not I can be a leader and an advocate and a voice for the people of this district in Washington. I think I'm the best person to do that."

Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice, a Democrat who ran for the seat in 2010 and looked at running again this year, said Sink can't be compared to someone unknown moving into the area. "Her unique history and resume will allow her to be successful," Justice said

.

Sounds like a strong candidate to me.

[GatorOrange]

4. Sink is a quality candidate and should prove formidable there...

The Repukes are going to throw everything they have in keeping that seat. That I-4 corridor and surrounding area is starting to get more blue each election cycle. Sink has the resume and business credentials to appeal to moderates also. It'd be a great pickup for us.

[watercolors]

5. Excellant news,

We think she is a good strong person to run. Need to get more Dems in the house!!

[Rowdyboy]

6. Excellent news! She'll make an exceptional representative