Democratic congressional hopeful Gwen Graham is working to distinguish herself from her Republican opponent and an unpopular congress. At Tallahassee’s Lake Ella Thursday, she spoke about the importance of compromise.
“How you break the gridlock is by electing people who are willing to work together,” Graham says, focusing on the issue of immigration reform. She says the issue hasn’t been addressed yet because house members are unwilling to find solutions through compromise, but says she’ll work across the aisle.
“[I’m] willing to put aside partisanship in order to do the right thing, and that’s my commitment. That’s what I’ve been committed to from day one.”
Graham also attacked Florida Republican Congressman Steve Southerland for taking a paycheck during the government shutdown. Graham, along with Democratic challengers in seven other states, signed a pledge rejecting perks like the congressional gym and called on Southerland to do the same.
The National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement calling it a “copy and paste” perk plan because democratic challengers in other states have presented similar plans. NRCC Spokeswoman Katie Prill says Graham is misleading voters by presenting the plan as her own.
Graham is running against Southerland to represent Florida’s second district.
