Candidates vying to replace U.S. Congressman Brian Mast in the District 18 seat were able to make their pitch for votes without the incumbent in attendance – thanks to the Republican National Committee.
The RNC informed Temple Beth El Israel in Port St. Lucie that the congressman would not be attending, even though Mast’s office had said he would participate, according to Rabbi Bruce Benson. “The reasons that they gave felt manipulated,” the rabbi said, adding that the RNC gave numerous reasons for Mast’s absence, none of which made sense. “I don’t think they saw an upside to coming,” Rabbi Benson said.
Even without Mast, the rabbi was happy to host a healthy forum with the other candidates. Those candidates were Democrats Lauren Baer and Pam Keith, and Republicans Dave Cummings and Mark Freeman.
“This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans,” Rabbi Benson said. “It’s about civility. … We want to show a different side to politics.”
The rabbi said he was prepared to remove any candidate who failed to be civil and abide by the house rules. “The American public has had quite enough of that kind of politics,” Rabbi Benson said. “We’re done.”
The Primary is this coming Tuesday, Aug. 28.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES:
Democrat Lauren Baer, 37, of Palm Beach Gardens, currently works as a consultant for Albright Stonebridge Group, the global strategy firm founded by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. www.laurenbaerforcongress.com.
Democrat Pam Keith, 49, of Palm Beach Gardens, served in the Navy’s legal services and communications departments. She most recently worked as senior counsel for NextEra Energy/FPL. www.electpamkeith.com.
Republican Dave Cummings, 47, of Fort Pierce, is a real estate investor and runs a catastrophe insurance adjuster team, as well as a high school and college teacher. He is a former military serviceman and former police officer. www.davecummings.org.
Republican Mark Freeman, 69, of Stuart, is both a businessman and a doctor, having worked for Walk In Family Medicine Center of Boynton Beach until 2016. https://votemarkfreeman.com.
Republican Brian Mast – incumbent, 38, of Palm City, currently serves as the Congressman representing the 18th District of Florida and formerly served the Army for 12 years as a bomb disposal expert. www.mastforcongress.com.