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Email insights: Carlos Lopez-Cantera uses “The Force” to attract fans with “Star Wars” screening

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“Star Wars” mania hits Florida’s U.S. Senate race.

“The force is with our campaign, and for that, we want to say thank you,” says a new email from Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera.

For a lucky few that means a chance to join the Republican Senate hopeful for a preview of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Miami.

As a “huge Star Wars buff,” Lopez-Cantera is holding a Star Wars Watch Party on Thursday – one day before the highly awaited saga hits theaters nationwide. Afterward, there will be a campaign reception.

Donations are requested, but not necessary to enter the contest. Entries will be accepted online through 4 p.m. EST the day before: Wednesday.

Lopez-Cantera is not the first to energize voters by tapping into “The Force” surrounding the upcoming Star Wars epic.

Democratic congressman and self-proclaimed “Jedi Master” Alan Grayson also appealed to followers – those who are also Star Wars aficionados – in a November blog post to “help … beat the GOP’s Sith-like hold on Washington, DC, by giving $3 or more, to save our Republic.”

Nevertheless, Lopez-Cantera, who could face Grayson in the 2016 Senate race, is really bringing the goods with an actual screening of the film – hours before the rest of the country.

And for die-hard Star Wars fans – some already waiting in line at theaters – having the advantage of seeing “The Force Awakens” before everyone else (even if it’s a few hours) could be all it takes to take them over the edge – and into the voting booth next year.

Phil Ammann is a St. Petersburg-based journalist and blogger. With more than three decades of writing, editing and management experience, Phil produced material for both print and online, in addition to founding HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government and culture reviews for Patch.com, technical articles and profiles for BetterRVing Magazine and advice columns for a metaphysical website, among others. Phil has served as a contributor and production manager for SaintPetersBlog since 2013. He lives in St. Pete with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul and can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @PhilAmmann.

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