A pair of Florida State football legends are backing Republican Marva Preston in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Senator Bill Montford in Florida Senate District 3.
Fresh off his endorsement of President Donald Trump after defeating COVID-19, FSU’s legendary football coach Bobby Bowden is setting his sights on SD 3. In a press release on Thursday, Bowden endorsed Preston with just 5 days remaining until Election Day.
“North Florida is home to some of the hardest working people in this great country and we deserve a leader who will fight for our families and our community,” Bowden said in an endorsement. “I am proud to stand with Marva Preston because I know she will fight for us in Tallahassee.”
Bowden, 90, tested positive for the COVID-19 earlier this month. He was released from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare following 10 days of treatment on October 15.
Also throwing his support behind Preston is FSU great Corey Simon. Simon, a former Seminole defensive tackle and eight-year NFL veteran, played under Bowden from 1996 to 1999. In an accompanying ad, the consensus All-American and first-round pick joined his college coach in officially endorsing Preston.
“I’m Corey Simon and I played football for coach Bobby Bowden. Now I’m joining coach Bowden in supporting Marva Preston,” Simon says in the 15-second ad.
“Coach Bowden says he proud to stand with Marva Preston because he knows she will fight for us in Tallahassee. Join coach Bowden and I in supporting Marva Preston for the Florida Senate.
Preston, a retired police officer with over 27 years of experience in law enforcement, is running against Democrat Loranne Ausley.
A newcomer in the political arena, Preston will look turn SD 3 — a Democratic stronghold for nearly two decades — red on Nov. 3.
Yes, I always base my political decisions on endorsements from doddering old college and current high school football coaches.