Congresswoman Frederica Wilson is the second south Florida Democrat running television commercials paid for with official funds. Wilson is the longtime representative of CD -24 which covers parts of Broward and Miami-Dade. But it was Wilson’s newest colleague in Congress who drew the media’s ire.
In June, Inside Elections first reported on three commercials from Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick. The ads included an odd disclaimer which read, “Paid for with official funds from the office of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.” While rare, Inside Elections conceded, “members of Congress are allowed to use official funds for TV ads, as long as they cover official business and steer clear of campaign content.”
However, the slick style of advertising lead the website to wonder if McCormick was “blurring lines.”
“A review of House ethics rules suggests Cherfilus-McCormick is operating in a significant gray area when it comes to how members can and cannot spend official funds. And her past financial filings show that it’s not the first time the congresswoman has come under scrutiny for her use of taxpayer dollars while seeking office,” Inside Elections reported.
But if McCormick is operating in a gray area, she is not alone.
Frederica Wilson is running the same slick commercials masquerading as informational messages. The Wilson ads tout money she’s brought home to her district. She reads a laundry list of projects she helped fund for cities in her district like Hollywood, West Park and Opa-Locka.
The Wilson ad includes this disclaimer, “Paid for with official funds from the office of Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson.”
According to the Sun-Sentinel, The Republican Party pounced on the issue. A Republican National Committee (RNC) spokesperson said, “Not only are Florida Democrats incompetent, they’re also corrupt.”
So why are Democrats even using official funds to help Sheila Cherfilus McCormick and Frederica Wilson?
McCormick is the newcomer facing a primary challenge by former Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness. Even though she beat Holness by just 5 votes, most insiders believe McCormick will easily win the Democrat primary in August.
The news surrounding the always controversial Holness keeps getting worse. On Friday, Omar Smith, his longtime campaign operative, pled guilty to Federal felony charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud. Smith faces up to thirty years in prison. Last month, Holness’ daughter began a twenty-month prison term on similar charges.
While Wilson avoided a real primary challenge, the 79 year-old Congresswoman faced real criticism over absenteeism and proxy votes.
REDBROWARD 
Trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill? “Inside Elections conceded, “members of Congress are allowed to use official funds for TV ads, as long as they cover official business and steer clear of campaign content.”
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ITS TIME FOR TERM LIMITS FOR ALL US CONGRESS AND SENATE MEMBERS. THE LONGER THEY ARE IN OFFICE THE MORE THEY GET AWAY WITH. 6 YEARS SHOULD BE THE MAX FOR CONGRESS AND 12 FOR SENATE. IN ADDITION WHILE THEY SERVE, THE INSIDE TRADING MUST STOP. THEY GO IN AS MIDDLE CLASS AND BECOME MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
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That message is entirely legal. I’d like you to look at the TV ad, with numerous Florida Sheriffs, IN UNIFORM, campaigning for Wilton Simpson. THAT is highly illegal, no????
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Nice point Patti…but, you don’t really think Tom would be objective enough to point out the shortcomings of Republican politicians/candidates do you? He didn’t call this Red Broward for nothing. But, who knows. Maybe during a weak moment he’ll slip 🙂
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It was worth a shot!!
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You don’t think I’ve pointed out the “shortcomings” of Republicans? You clearly are not familiar with my work. But thanks for reading
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Tom, please. I’m very familiar with your “work” as well as your very notable political leanings. There’s no comparison. But, thanks for “responding”.
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It’s literally the law:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/506
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Sorry, you made a false assertion that I do not write about Republicans. Tell that to the Republicans I have written about over the last 12 years. Unless you’re a close friend, you’re clueless about my “leanings.” Have a great day,
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I don’t need to be a friend, close or otherwise, of you Tom to know your writings and political leanings those are quite clear from a simple Google search and having followed Red Broward during the past few years. Nor, did I assert, as you claim, that you do not “write about Republicans”…those are your words not mine. Your “investigative reporting” of politicians/candidates from both sides of the aisle, however, is hardly balanced by any stretch of the imagination. While you’re at it though, remind us what party you are registered under for voting purposes and how long, in years, you have been so registered?
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You wrote, “but, you don’t really think Tom would be objective enough to point out the shortcomings of Republican politicians/candidates do you? He didn’t call this Red Broward for nothing.”
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So? But, thanks for reiterating my point.
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PS: You failed to answer my question about what party you are registered under for voting purposes and for how many years. I’m sure you know that information is readily available online, but I just figured I’d give you a chance to fill in the blank. GOP (surprise, surprise) for approx. 25 years. But, sure, that gives no slant to your coverage.
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How is my reporting “slanted?”
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Me doth believe you protest too much Tom….taking something from Marlon’s playbook now?
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Protest? Not at all. I’m engaging with a valued reader. A simple question is hardly a “protest” let alone too much
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