Alan Grayson

Why Does The GOP Not Want Their Current Candidate Against Grayson?

Eric Kleefeld | November 12, 2009, 6:12PM

FL-08 Candidate Armando Gutierrez (R) and Rep. Alan Grayson (D)

The Republican efforts to find a candidate against the fiery liberal Democrat Alan Grayson continue -- with a focus on finding someone else besides the current de facto frontrunner, 28-year old real estate developer Armando Gutierrez. So what exactly is their problem with him?

Gutierrez, who comes from a politically well-connected family in the Miami Cuban community, has picked up some decent endorsements so far, including Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL), several state legislators, and George P. Bush, the son of former Gov. Jeb Bush. However, other candidates could still get in -- state Rep. Kurt Kelly says he might get in if nobody better opts for it, and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, who previously shied away from the race, now says he's staying out "for now."

A Republican source told us that local GOPers aren't accepting Gutierrez, due to youth and inexperience, and the fact that he is seen as having moved into the Orlando district from Miami to buy the nomination. "A lot of people think you need an adult to contrast with Alan Grayson's childish behavior," the source said. "So let's be honest, Armando Gutierrez is 28 years old, and doesn't have much of a résumé in terms of creating jobs or influencing public policy or anything like that."

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Alan Grayson

Report: GOP Candidate Against Grayson Alienating Local Republicans

Eric Kleefeld | November 11, 2009, 12:57PM

FL-08 Candidate Armando Gutierrez (R) and Rep. Alan Grayson (D)

Republicans could still be having trouble with candidate recruitment against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), The Hill reports -- specifically, from local Republicans who are unhappy with the current de facto frontrunner for the nomination.

Grayson, of course, is the fiery liberal best known for saying the GOP's health care plan is for sick people to "die quickly," and who also called former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire, and referred to a female lobbyist as a "K Street whore." Although Grayson represents a swing seat, Republicans have had trouble recruiting a top-tier challenger, with many potential recruits shying away.

Into the void has stepped Armando Gutierrez, a 28-year-old real estate developer who has moved to Orlando from Miami, in order to run for the seat. "He's pissing people off a lot," said an anonymous local GOP operative. "He's very pushy and is an unknown commodity, and people are jealously guarding their prerogatives."

Gutierrez brushed off the criticism. "As long as I keep getting calls and people want to meet me in Central Florida, I'm happy," said Gutierrez. "As long as that continues to happen, the momentum and the will of the people is going our way."

Alan Grayson

In Crowded Field, GOP-er Focuses All On Grayson

Rachel Slajda | November 4, 2009, 12:54PM

FL-08 Candidate Armando Gutierrez (R) and Rep. Alan Grayson (D)

With one year to go, the field of challengers to Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) is becoming a crowded place. Seven Republicans have filed paperwork with the FEC, and a handful more have reportedly been meeting with the NRCC as national Republicans try to vet a competitive candidate.

Grayson, of "die quickly" and "K Street whore" fame, is a juicy target for Republicans, especially the relatively unknown who can make his comments an issue. Cue real estate developer Armando Gutierrez Jr., who has based his entire early campaign around defeating Grayson.

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