Is Randy Perkins a Democratic Donald Trump?
Politics
Is Randy Perkins a Democratic Donald Trump?
Republicans question Florida candidate’s temperament to serve in Congress
Republicans are using similar language to attack Randy Perkins’ temperament and business record as Democrats are using against Donald Trump. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
A super PAC is attacking a candidate as “unhinged” and “not fit” for federal office and is going after his business record. In another group’s ad, a Vietnam veteran says the candidate’s behavior “sickens him.”
The candidate in question isn’t Donald Trump. He’s Democrat Randy Perkins, who’s running in Florida’s 18th District, one of this year’s most competitive House races.
Perkins made headlines last month when he told Republican opponent Brian Mast in an editorial board meeting with the Treasure Coast Newspapers that he wasn’t “man enough to stand behind [his] own ads.
”
Mast is a double amputee who lost both legs in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan. The Army veteran received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Republicans have been attacking Perkins’ business record, trying to question his temperament and character in a way that’s reminiscent of Democratic attacks on Trump, the GOP presidential nominee.
The Congressional Leadership Fund launched its first TV attack on Perkins this week as part of a $2.1 million independent expenditure campaign in the district.
“They’re being meanies,” Perkins said in an interview this week about the Republicans attacking him. “And the problem is I know so many of them.”
[Now a Democrat, Once a Republican?]
He has a history of donating to Republicans (for business reasons, he says), and joked about asking them to return his donations now that he’s under attack. Perkins didn’t register as a Democrat until filing for this race, and he served on an advisory panel for former Texas Gov.
Rick Perry’s 2016 presidential campaign.
A Democratic Donald?
Even some Democrats compare him to Trump.
Perkins’ behavior during the editorial board meeting was one of the “worst displays” in recent American politics, said a Democratic strategist who works in Florida politics and volunteered the Trump comparison.
“Were they saying that in a good way or bad way?” Perkins asked when told of the comparison.
“We are two different people, I can assure you that,” he said of Trump. “But he’s clearly tapped into something in this country.”
“My temperament is exactly where it needs to be,” Perkins said. “I’m angry and I’m frustrated,” he added, referring to GOP attacks that he said distort his record.
Before the editorial board meeting, Perkins’ lawyers threatened to sue local TV stations that didn’t pull National Republican Congressional Committee ads accusing Perkins’ disaster recovery business of “scamming” a local school district. Some stations pulled the ads and the NRCC revised some of its wording.
[Self-Funders Fight for Florida’s 18th District]
“What I’ve asked Brian to do is take ownership of the ads that the Republican Party and outside groups are running against me,” Perkins said. By law, Mast cannot coordinate with the NRCC or tell the committee what to do.
There’s a backstory to the editorial board exchange, Perkins said. Several days after Florida’s Aug. 30 primary, he called Mast to suggest they keep outside groups out of the race.
“I’ve told them from Day One to stay out of this race,” Perkins said about the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which backed him in the primary. Perkins received donations from top House leaders like Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer and Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra.
But Perkins doesn’t need financial help. In fact, he received no contributions during the pre-primary reporting period. He’s almost entirely self-funding his campaign.
If Mast agreed to his proposal to limit outside groups’ attacks, Perkins said he promised to spend only what Mast was able to raise.
Asked about the proposal on Wednesday, Mast said he immediately distrusted Perkins, who has since run negative hits against him.
As for Perkins’ comments during the editorial meeting, Mast said, “You know, look, I’m a big boy. You’re not going to ruffle my feathers, but I would certainly say it was distasteful.”
Perkins says he values Mast’s service. “I salute him and he’s a hero in my book, but we have a race to run,” the Democrat said.
Strengths and weaknesses
National Democrats knew much of what they were getting when they rallied behind Perkins before the primary.
An April DCCC memo leaked in this summer’s cyberattack outlined Perkins’ strengths: his “rags to riches story” and his experience contributing to and working with Republicans would play well in a general election.
[Leaked DCCC Memo Offers Window Into Committee’s Candidate Research]
But the DCCC also called attention to his weaknesses, namely his past business dealings and his campaign’s tendency to make “sometimes erratic decisions.
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The memo, written well before the Aug. 30 primary, specifically warned that Perkins could be in for a tough race if Mast won the GOP nomination.
“He will be vulnerable to character attacks and will likely see a lot of outside spending,” the DCCC said of Perkins.
Mast has endorsed Trump but paints himself as a moderate Republican who will not join the Freedom Caucus and believes in man-made climate change.
He said he’s received vocal support from some northeastern congressional Democrats who have said they look forward to working with him. Mast did not feel comfortable specifying names because he feared hurting those members with their own party.
Hurricane Matthew postponed the first televised debate between Mast and Perkins. They will now meet on Oct. 17.
Our Team | Lauren’s Kids
Lauren Book, M.S.Ed. – Founder, CEO
Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, is an author, educator and internationally respected and renowned child advocate. As founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, Lauren seeks to create a world where the exploitation of children is not tolerated.
She has been named a PEOPLE All-Star Among Us, L’Oreal Woman of Worth and is the recipient of a Congressional Medal of Merit for her tireless work to protect childhood as well as a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet.
Ronald L. Book, P.A. – Chairman
Ronald L. Book is a specialist in government affairs and administration law, with a Juris Doctoral degree from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Florida International University. An active participant in South Florida’s professional arena, Book is a trustee of the Council of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Legislative Affairs and State Affairs committees. In addition to serving more than 20 community organizations, Book is a founding member of Lauren’s Kids. Mr. Book currently operates his own lobbying practice in Aventura and Tallahassee.
Board Members
Randal R. Perkins
Randal “Randy” Perkins is the founder of AshBritt, a Florida-based, international rapid-response disaster recovery and special environmental services contractor.
He is an invaluable part of the Lauren’s Kids team, providing and powering the “Walk in My Shoes” campaign bus and enabling us to reach tens of thousands across Florida with our message of prevention, hope and healing. Randy holds seats on the Board of Directors of several national charitable organizations including Lauren’s Kids, and is very active in state and local charitable endeavors.
Manny Kadre
Manny Kadre is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MBB Auto Group, a premium luxury retail automotive group consisting of Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo dealers in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Kadre also serves on the Board of Directors of two publically traded companies, Republic Services, Inc. and Mednax. In addition to serving as a member on the board of Lauren’s Kids, Mr. Kadre serves as a member of the University of Miami Board of Trustees (member of the Executive Committee, Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Presidential Search Committee).
Charlie Fernandes
From honored Army veteran to founder of two businesses – which have since been acquired – to serving as officer and Vice President of a bank to valued Lauren’s Kids board member to dedicated husband to lovely wife Lisa, Charlie Fernandes has worn many hats in over the course of his life and career. Two things that have remained constant? His signature smile and sense of humor.
Keith Kenner
Keith Kenner is a managing member of Dade Media, a Coral Gables, Florida-based, diversified Out-of-Home Media Company with many nationwide media relationships. Keith is a graduate of CW Post College of Long Island University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and History and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA). Keith is passionate about helping others and is proud to support Lauren’s Kids’ varied education and awareness efforts throughout the year.
Beth Rosenstein
Beth Rosenstein is the Trade Area Vice President of Bloomingdale’s for Florida and Georgia.
Beth’s business acumen, kind heart, and eye for beauty have made her an invaluable member of Lauren’s Kids team, and she always makes sure Lauren looks – and feels – her best. In addition to serving on the board of Lauren’s Kids, Beth is an active fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Boca Helping Hands.
Rochelle S. Matza
Rochelle Matza is the President and Owner of Rochelle S. Matza, CPA, P.A., and the Vice-President of Treasury Management and the Director of Human Resources at Automated HealthCare Solutions LLC & Affiliates. In addition to being a tax and compliance wiz, Rochelle is an avid South Florida sports fan and serves on the board of several charitable entities including the United Way of Miami-Dade and PRIDE Enterprises.
Stanford Blake
Stanford Blake is a Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami, Florida (1995-present), currently assigned to the Family Division. Judge Blake has received numerous awards since being on the bench such as the Justice Gerald Kogan Judicial Distinction Award, The Thomas Davison III Memorial Service Award 2012, Florida Council of Crime and Delinquency Distinguished Service Award, 2012, League of Prosecutors 2010 Justice Award and many more.