January 22, 2010

My Dear Friends,

Last May, we embarked in a campaign to raise awareness about the issues we hold dear. Armed with a deep conviction and drive to reduce the cost of education, to ensure quality affordable health care for every citizen, and to build a stronger economy for our state, we launched our campaign for State Representative in District 116.

The last 8 months have been a great experience for us. We have visited thousands of voters and spoken to them about the issues that are affecting us. We became well acquainted with voters throughout the district, and they got to know us and our message.

We are facing one of the most crucial elections of our time. We are electing a Legislature that will deal with a major financial shortfall, crucial decisions about the future of health care and education in our state, and the redistricting of all our districts. After much prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for State Representative, in order to foster unity and better promote our ideas.

I want to thank you for joining me in this journey! Your support made this campaign possible and the success it was. My thanks to those who were up Saturday mornings walking with me, those who helped us raise funds, and all those who spent numerous hours strategizing and putting our plan in action. You were all integral parts of this campaign and for this I thank you!

My candidacy for this office may be over, but the fight for the issues we believe in is not. We must work to ensure that a candidate who shares our same goals is elected to represent our district. I looked for a candidate with experience, who shared my views on education and health care, and who would best represent the interests of the people of District 116. For this reason I have decided to support Carlos Manrique in his bid to be the next Representative of District 116.

Carlos has a great vision. He has served South Florida in the Legislature. He shares many of our same views on issues like education and the economy. He is someone I have worked with in the past and look forward to working with him now and in the future to ensure that the needs and concerns of the people of District 116 are voiced in Tallahassee.

The future is bright ahead, but it will take all of our participation to ensure that our issues are addressed and our goals are met. I pledge to continue forging a daily battle to reduce the cost of education; to ensure quality affordable health care for every citizen; and to build a strong and prosperous economy.

                                                                                                               Thanks again!

         

Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Ariel Fernandez, Republican, for State Representative, District 116.