Eric Lynn is asking for support in his bid for Congress in 2016. In an email sent to supporters Wednesday, Lynn plays on his work on President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns and administration.
“From 2007 until last year, I had the honor and privilege to work for President Barack Obama,” Lynn wrote. “I was proud to be one of the first hires for his historic presidential campaign and I was honored to serve as a senior adviser on National Security in his administration at the Pentagon.”
In the email, Lynn touts a statement from Obama.
“Eric was a trusted adviser on national security issues to the first campaign and at the Pentagon,” Obama said.
The email suggests donations of $10, $25, $100 or $250. Donors can also choose to donate a different amount.
Lynn is running for Congress against fellow Democrat Charlie Crist, who recently announced his candidacy.
Lynn has already raised $500,000 while Crist, having just entered the race, has not yet posted any fundraising totals.
The two are running to replace Congressional District 13 Rep. David Jolly, who is running for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat.
A Republican has not yet entered the race. Many speculate that former St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker may jump into the race on the Republican ticket.
In the Democratic primary, Lynn is seen as the more progressive candidate while Crist is considered more moderate. Crist was Florida governor as a Republican. He then ran for U.S. Senate as an independent. Most recently he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat against Gov. Rick Scott.
Both Lynn and Crist are St. Pete natives.
The district has been a Republican stronghold for more than four decades, but because the state Supreme Court ruled CD 13 was among those unfairly drawn, it now includes South St. Pete and parts of downtown, swinging it to a district favoring Democrats.
