Eddie Speir, founder of Inspiration Academy, tech entrepreneur and congressional candidate for Florida's 16th district, comprising Manatee County and the eastern portion of Hillsborough County. (Fox News Digital)
Speir said he believes that his messaging and grassroots support will carry him through to victory in the Aug. 18 primary.
"We were the largest grassroots movement in this district's history…Nobody else had even come close to earning 40% in the entire state of Florida. … So, it's hard to push against an incumbent here in Florida. But now there's not even an incumbent, so we're just gonna continue the same momentum that we had and get the message out."
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Florida political observers have batted about several possible contenders that might join Speir in the GOP primary. Chief among these is close Trump ally Joe Gruters, who cut his political teeth working on Buchanan's campaign and would be the establishment heir apparent.
Speir says he'll not only be facing off against the local GOP establishment, but President Donald Trump as well. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Speir said he realizes he is likely to be facing off not merely against the local GOP establishment, but against President Donald Trump as well:
"In the '24 primary, Vern Buchanan had one of the worst records possible, and Donald Trump endorsed him with a number of other horrific candidates. So we've got to be able to separate Trump's priorities and his constitutional conservative push, versus the political machine that he's working with, because that political machine is not doing any favors to the Republican Party," Speir said.
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"So I think the endorsements mean a little bit less. Now, that doesn't mean that I won't try to get Trump's endorsement, but we already gained [a] historic vote, and as a challenger in 2024."
David Unsworth reports on Latin America. You can follow David Unsworth on Twitter @LatinAmerUpdate
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