Congressional candidate Jennifer Jenkins is announcing a “Show Me the Receipts” tour, an effort to connect with residents in Florida’s 6th District over cost-of-living issues.
Jenkins, a Democrat, is among those challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, whose district includes Daytona Beach and Palm Coast. She is promising to travel throughout the district and sit down with families, small-business owners and others to learn more about how rising costs are affecting their daily lives.
“While career politicians in Washington focus on war after war, people here in Florida are fighting to pay for basics. That’s why I’m asking folks to show me what life actually costs right now — and what those rising prices have replaced in their lives,” Jenkins said in a news release.
Jenkins is asking residents to share grocery receipts, rent increases, insurance premiums, gas and car repair bills, and healthcare expenses, along with stories of sacrifice on her website, jenkinsforfl.com/receipts.
Initially, Jenkins intends to meet one-on-one with families, and as she learns more, there will be rallies, according to a campaign spokesperson.
Fine, reached by text message, declined to comment. In a Feb. 23 telephone town hall, he touted one way in which President Donald Trump and the Republicans who control Congress have helped, an increased tax deduction for seniors.
“Hopefully some of you are getting your taxes in, and if you’re like the average American, you’re noticing that your tax refund is going to be a lot bigger this year than it was last year,” Fine said.
Jenkins is running against three other Democrats in the 6th: Eric Yonce of Ormond Beach, Rob Cooper II of Ocala, and Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera of Sorrento.
Fine’s Republican challengers include Palm Coast City Councilman Charles Gambaro, Aaron Baker of Sorrento and Shoreh Fontaine of Palm Coast.
The 6th District currently includes all of Flagler and Putnam counties, plus parts of Volusia, St. Johns, Lake and Marion, although by the time of the Aug. 18 primary elections, the Florida Legislature is expected to have redrawn maps.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Gas prices, grocery bills up? Volusia candidate wants to know more
Reporting by Mark Harper, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
