Naples businessman Francis Rooney will run for Congress
Francis Rooney, the multimillionaire Naples businessman who has been a major GOP donor and supporter helping to elect others, announced his candidacy Monday for the congressional seat now held by Curt Clawson.
Rooney, who was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See by President George W. Bush, is the second Republican to officially announce their candidacy following Clawson’s surprise announcement last week that he would not seek re-election. Clawson’s seat, District 19, stretches from Fort Myers to Marco Island.
Sanibel Councilman Chauncey Goss, who ran for Congress in 2012 but lost to Trey Radel in the GOP primary, also is a candidate in the race.
Rooney’s entry into the race prompted some Republicans who were considering a run to opt out.
RELATED: Many look to succeed Clawson in Congress
“I am excited to support Francis Rooney for Congress,” Naples City Councilman Sam Saad wrote on Twitter. He said he has decided not to run. “His business & foreign affairs experience make him ideal for this.”
Keeping to his promise of supporting Rooney, former one-term state Rep. Tom Grady, a Republican state board of education member from Naples and Gov. Rick Scott ally, said Monday he will not run for Congress.
“We cannot afford electing an incumbent politician or bureaucrat,” Grady said.
State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, said on Sunday she would not run.
RELATED: Benacquisto won't seek congressional seat held by Clawson
State Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, said Rooney’s entry into the race is a factor he must weigh before he makes a final decision on the congressional race. He said he would make a decision Wednesday.
"Certainly, it’s not lost on me that Ambassador Rooney is independently wealthy,” Caldwell said. “The voters rewarded Curt Clawson who funded his own campaign. They overwhelmingly picked Donald Trump. If somebody fits that mold, I’ve got a feeling they’ll do well in this political climate.”
Rooney has played a major role in state and national GOP campaigns, including major fundraising efforts. He said that after helping so many others get in office, he thinks it’s time for him to take a shot at filling that role himself.
His business experience, however, will be more important to voters and the office.
“We need more guys with business experience, who can make a difference and help create more jobs,” said Rooney, who’s led a national construction company.
While Rooney is often mentioned as someone who could largely finance such a campaign himself, he didn’t commit to how much of his own money he may put in the race. “I’ve had a lot of people in both counties offer to help” with fundraising, he said. “At the end of the day, it won’t be about money, it’ll be about connecting with the voters.”
He did say, however, that he would contribute what he needs for his campaign, and he vowed not to take money from special interests, aligning his views with Clawson’s on the matter.
“I’m not beholden to anyone. I’m an independent person who isn’t bound to some lobbyist on K Street,” he said, referring to the street in Washington where many lobbyists have offices.
Rooney said he and his wife, Kathleen, have helped a number of people financially with their campaigns. But he said he never received anything in exchange for those contributions.
“I’ve never even thought about it. Kathleen and I have given money to people who we’ve thought are better than the alternative,” he said.
Rooney said he would make water and the natural environment in Southwest Florida keys issues to his campaign, again aligning with Clawson’s views.
“I would continue the very important work that Curt has started,” he said.
Qualifying ends June 24 and the primary election is Aug. 30.
MORE COVERAGE OF CURT CLAWSON'S DECISION
Clawson decision unexpected but not surprising
Seven questions for U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson about Congress
Retiring Rep. Curt Clawson has followed own path in House
Freelance writer Betty Parker contributed to this report.
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