On March 2, Democratic candidate Earle Ford’s campaign said he’s raised more than $500,000. More than 16,000 donors—500 of which are recurring—have funded the U.S. Army veteran and former state attorney’s campaign, according to a press release.
He’s one of nine candidates in the Democratic primary where candidates hope to replace Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
Ford said he also received an endorsement and donation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ PAC, but all other contributions are from individuals.
Ford wants those individuals to be the driving force, he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. He said he’s not taking any corporate or lobbyist PAC donations.
Ford is just within three points of Rep. Luna, according to his own campaign poll. But Ford told CL he doesn’t care about her; he’s “laser-focused” on voters.
Mainly, Ford said he wants to show voters he’s “not connected” to big-money donors and their control over politicians.
“I am not part of the establishment,” Ford told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “I didn’t ask for permission. I’m not riding anyone’s coattails.”
Ford, an Army veteran who served from 2012-2015, is also a former IRS tax specialist and claims he held billionaires accountable for tax loopholes. He said he supports an end to corruption and wants to reform where money is spent in the federal government.
That includes abolishing the nation’s mass deportation agenda under Immigrations and Customs Enforcement—which he said “can no longer constitutionally, safely or morally even fulfill their duties”—and diverting the agency’s funds toward local law enforcement instead.
Ford told CL he also wants to confront corporations and insurance companies that he claims have caused financial inequality in society while preaching “trickle-down economics,” which he believes is a hoax.
“There is me doing the right thing, and I see right in front of me, whether it’s at the state or federal level, just blatant corruption and the cronyism,” Ford said. “And I think for a lot of people, for a long time it was not as deliberate and wasn’t as in front of your face, but it’s only gotten worse.”
“People are hanging on by a thread,” Ford continued. “And then you have a whole class of young people who feel like they’re entering a system which they will never, ever have a fair shot [at]. And that’s not what this country is built for, right?”
Ford said that as a father of two, he wants to make sure that’s not the case for young voters.
Though the 39-year-old believes the 13th district is “in good hands” no matter who wins the Democratic primary, Ford said he brings something new to the race.
“I think I represent a newer generation of Democrats who also have professional life experience who aim to shake up the status quo, do politics differently and have the political courage to do the right thing,” Ford said.
And for Ford, the right thing includes a major focus on accountability and providing free public services.
For one, Ford wants to establish universal healthcare coverage, especially after his positive experience with Tricare, which provides comprehensive worldwide coverage to veterans, active duty service members and military dependents.
Ford also believes that education is a big national security issue in the U.S. compared to other countries. He wants to secure free community college and reform student loan repayment programs.
“Ultimately, I think that’s the end game, because that’s the only way we’re going to compete with China going into the future,” Ford said. “We have to make sure we’re producing smart people, but it also starts at the very bottom.”
And for Ford, that also starts with affordable daycare and allocating more money toward public education.
Regarding gun reform, Ford said he’s a “common sense” man, especially in the face of a federal administration he claims is “close to fascism.”
“With these totalitarian tactics that we’re seeing where ICE is denying due process, killing people on the streets without investigations, you’re seeing a complete government overreach,” Ford said. “I think Second Amendment rights are important right now.”
But that doesn’t mean Ford is opposed to gun control measures. He supports universal background checks, red flag laws, waiting periods, bans on high-capacity magazines and restrictions on certain ammunition types, specifically tumbling rounds.
Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.
Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.
Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky