Republican Rep. Bill Conerly is kicking off his re-election campaign for House District 72 with a fundraiser Monday evening, aiming to build on the momentum from his first term in office.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, located at 7051 Wireless Court in Sarasota. Conerly’s campaign said contributions of up to $1,000 can be made directly to the Bill Conerly Campaign, while larger donations can be directed to the Engineering a Conservative Florida PAC.
A push to lower home insurance premiums headlines Conerly’s agenda, which also includes fighting inflation; supporting efforts to give Sheriff’s departments authority to enforce immigration laws; defending constitutional rights; giving local governments more control over runaway growth; stopping what he calls “woke indoctrination” in public schools; ensuring election security, investing in infrastructure; and cutting taxes.
“I am running to take quick action, just like President (Donald) Trump,” Conerly wrote on his website. “The politicians in Tallahassee should be on notice: I won’t be making excuses or empty promises on insurance rates, I will be lowering them come hell or highwater. Floridians can’t and shouldn’t be struggling to pay insurance premiums.”
He faces John “Captain” Phillips III, a grassroots conservative from Bradenton who is running on a platform centered on slowing growth, in the Republican Primary.
Phillips, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran with more than 31 years of service, pledges to defend the Second Amendment, promote transparency and funding in schools, support law enforcement, and cut government waste and taxes, according to his campaign website.
“I will stand on the side of caution when it comes to the growth of our community — ensuring we have the infrastructure, safeguards, and resources necessary to support our community responsibly,” Phillips wrote. “I will never compromise the safety or well-being of our residents to serve special interest groups.”
“This isn’t about politics,” he added. “It’s about service. I’ve spent my life serving this country, and now I’m ready to protect the people of District 72.”
