Tea Party Strength Tested in CD-19 Special Election

First Tea Party vs. Establishment Primary of 2014 

Sacramento, CA – Tea Party Express, the nation’s largest Tea Party political action committee, has aggressively campaigned on behalf of Curt Clawson in Florida’s 19th Congressional District’s Special Election. Now the stage has been set for the first test of the Tea Party’s strength in 2014.

Tea Party Express Executive Director Taylor Budowich said, “After Saturday’s Tea Party rally, activists in Florida-19 proved that the Tea Party momentum is clearly with Curt. His campaign has been about Tea Party ideas and real-world solutions. That’s why Curt earned the support of the grassroots, and it’s that positive reception that will be reflected at the ballot box. This election will set the stage for what’s shaping up to be a successful primary season for Tea Party candidates across the country. The ‘Fighting for Liberty’ Tea Party bus tour will be holding rallies in many of these battleground states over the next week and a half.”

Following Tea Party Express’ endorsement in March, Clawson earned endorsements from Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, Senator Rand Paul, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Eagle Forum, Tea Party Nation and a number of local Tea Party Activists.

What You’re Saying About Tea Party Express and the CD-19 Special Election:

And while Benacquisto won the endorsement of Sarah Palin, Clawson may have solidified his conservative cred with an endorsement from the Tea Party Express.”  4/19/14 The Hill

“Curt Clawson supporters dominate Tea Party Express rally in Estero” 4/20/14 Saint Peters Blog

“Early Saturday afternoon, about 500 people stopped by a Tea Party Express rally behind the Estero Community Park rec center. Though all four Republicans were said to have been invited, the event was, for all intents and purposes, a Clawson rally. The Tea Party Express has endorsed Clawson, and he was the only candidate in attendance at noon.”  4/19/14 Naples News 

Local Tea Party Endoresements

“As a retired CEO, I am disgusted when candidates who call themselves conservative Republicans tear down those who have been successful in the private sector. Such candidates are worse than President Obama and the Democrats who demonized Mitt Romney back in 2012. Demonizing achievement and condemning capitalism is what liberals do. We should be holding candidates like Curt Clawson up as an example of what it takes to turn things around: like he did as CEO. Curt Clawson is a true conservative who will exert his talents and leadership skills to get America back on track.” — Jack Tymann, Co-Founder and Member of Leadership Council of the Naples Tea Party

“Curt Clawson has inspired tea party voters across southwest Florida with his outsider message and willingness to challenge the status quo in Tallahassee and Washington DC.” — Erika Donalds, Former Board Member, Collier 912 Freedom Council

“Curt Clawson has a detailed plan for economic growth and a detailed plan for cutting spending, while the other candidates just attack each other without saying how they are going to turn this country around.” –Chuck Marshall, Former Co-Leader of the Naples Tea Party

“I know Curt Clawson and endorse him and his belief that the purpose of constitutional government in the United States is to protect and preserve our unalienable rights. With such a belief to drive policy decisions the citizens of Southwest Florida would be serving our country well by sending both a voice and a vote for freedom to the United States Congress in the person of Curt Clawson.” — Attorney David Shestokas, Former State Prosecutor and host of Constitutionally Speaking

“Having a businessman in DC representing us would be far preferable to a politician. Curt gave me confidence that he will listen to the average citizen when he spoke with me. I was impressed by the family values and morals by which his family has lived, along with his obvious love and respect for his parents. These values are most likely the reason he is trying to run a positive campaign and fully supports our military.” – Joan Spiegel, Member of the Lee County Patriots

“I am a gun owner and enthusiast, an NRA life member and an NRA concealed carry permit instructor. When I asked Curt Clawson his stand on the Second Amendment, he looked me straight in the eye and said he was a gun owner, also, and would fully support gun owner’s rights. I am proud to stand with Curt in upholding our Constitution.” — Jack Kudary, Member of the Lee County Patriots

“Curt Clawson is running to give the voters of southwest Florida something different, something better, and tea party voters are uniting behind him.” — Lavigne Kirkpatrick, Former Leader of the Naples Tea Party

“We, as Americans, need leaders who will stand up for our nation and have a realistic assessment of right-minded leadership, character and national security. We need leaders who love this country so much they would do everything in their power to build up our nation, regardless of who gets the credit.

“We must educate the American electorate so they would use their God granted freedom to preserve their nation, rather than let it be torn apart. Many politicians just flat out lie to get reelected. Pay attention to what people do in real life, not just what they say just to try to get elected.

“My dear deceased husband, Barry, would tell you the same thing. He was heartsick over what this self-glorifying, constitution denying current leadership is doing to our country and its people. Barry would have been proud to support a strong constitutional conservative like Curt Clawson.” — Jackie Willoughby, Widow of Founder and Leader of the Naples Tea Party, Barry Willoughby

“Tall on Tea Party values and short on government regulation.” – Victoria Jackson, national Tea Party activist

“Just as he turned around companies in the past, I know Curt Clawson will be a driving force to get Washington on the right track. This is why he has earned my support, and respect.” — Kathy Jones, Leader of the Lee County Patriots and Organizer of the Lee County Tea Party at Centennial Park in 2011 and 2012

“Curt Clawson is someone who has demonstrated the leadership credentials, a complete understanding of the free market and how to grow our economy, which is exactly what we need in DC.” — Byron Donalds, Local Tea Party Leader and former Congressional Candidate (FL-19)