Anthony Sabatini‘s congressional bid is off to a good start after the state representative announced he raked in $170,000 since launching his campaign last month.
The Howey-in-the-Hills Republican broke the news on Thursday, a mere 24 days after throwing his hat into a new congressional seat as redistricting is set to take place later this year.
Sabatini, who represents House District 32, says the hot start is thanks in large part to small donations from 700 people wanting to preserve their conservative values.
“I launched my campaign for Congress because the spineless Republican establishment and radical left Democrats are destroying America. In just 24 days, we’ve raised more than $170,000 from over 700 patriots who are ready to make America first again,” Sabatini said in a press release. “My supporters know that we need leadership in Washington, DC. The GOP establishment has failed us. The Democrat radicals have failed us. We need a new direction that stands up and fights for the America First principles I’m running on. That’s what this campaign is all about and I’m honored to see support pouring in from patriots who want a conservative fighter.”
Sabatini decided to take his “America First” message to the national stage on March 8 when he announced he was launching his campaign for Congress. According to his campaign website, Sabatini will be running in Florida’s 11th Congressional District, pushing conservative principles like cracking down on Silicon Valley, safeguarding the 2nd Amendment, and creating term limits for politicians
“I officially filed paperwork this morning, Sabatini told The Capitolist last month. “Taking our country back begins with taking our party back. “We need more America-First conservative fighters in Congress—no more America-Last moderates.”
The move drew applause by many on the political right who view Sabatini’s platform and unfiltered approach as refreshing, given the current political climate and void left by former President Donald Trump.
Others, however, believed Sabatini was staging a coupe, as many political pundits believed he would be primarying Republican Congressman Dan Webster, who currently represents the 11th Congressional District.
Following Sabatini’s decision to take his brand of politics to Capitol Hill, Webster speculated that Sabatini would run against him before affirming that he would not take “reelection for granted.”
But Sabatini and Co. maintain that a primary race against Webster is not on the table, and given the upcoming reallocation of congressional seats — based on population — that district numbers are arbitrary.
“Webster and Sabatini won’t be running against each other,” U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz doubled-down in a tweet last month. “This is the part of Florida that has grown the most and will certainly have a ‘new’ district for Anthony to seek.”
According to experts, when new borders are drawn, Florida is expected to gain two extra U.S House seats in 2022.