Lesbian Florida Candidate Michele Rayner Ends Congressional Bid
Florida Democrat Michele Rayner-Goolsby, who would have been Florida’s first out U.S. representative, suspended her campaign for Congress on Monday morning.
She appears to be one of the victims of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ heavy hand in Florida’s redistricting process.Rayner will now seek re-election to her seat in the Florida House of Representatives.“It has been the joy of mine and Bianca’s life to be able to talk to neighbors throughout the county, talk to community members and find out what’s really important to them,” she said in her announcement, referring to wife Bianca Goolsby. “It’s been a special joy to me because I grew up here right in Clearwater.“But as many of you know, we have a governor and we have a legislature that is out of control.
They have drawn maps that are racist, that are partisan, and that I believe and frankly many people believe are illegal. And that’s what makes it difficult to have a free and fair election in Pinellas County for this congressional seat.”Rayner was running to succeed U.S.
Rep. Charlie Crist, who is now running for governor against DeSantis. President Joe Biden won Crist’s district by four percentage points, even though former President Donald Trump won Florida’s electoral votes.DeSantis, after vetoing a map drawn by the Florida Legislature, pressured lawmakers to pass a map his staff drew.
