Alex Sink Decides Against Challenging David Jolly In November

Dem Decides Against Challenging Newly-Elected GOP Rep After Big Loss
Newly elected Republican Rep. David Jolly of Florida, right, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2014. He is joined by his mother Judy Jolly and father Lawson Jolly at center. Earlier this week, Jolly edged out Democrat Alex Sink in a special election that Republicans cast as a referendum on President Barack Obama and his unpopular health care law. The Tampa-area district had been considered a toss-up. Jolly fills the open seat that had been held for decades by Republican C.W. Bill Young who died in October. The 41-year-old Jolly has long experience in Washington, first as an aide to Young and then as a lobbyist. Republicans now hold 233 seats in the House to the Democrats? 199. There are three vacancies. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Newly elected Republican Rep. David Jolly of Florida, right, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2014. He is joined by his mother Judy Jolly and father Lawson Jolly at center. Earlier this week, Jolly edged out Democrat Alex Sink in a special election that Republicans cast as a referendum on President Barack Obama and his unpopular health care law. The Tampa-area district had been considered a toss-up. Jolly fills the open seat that had been held for decades by Republican C.W. Bill Young who died in October. The 41-year-old Jolly has long experience in Washington, first as an aide to Young and then as a lobbyist. Republicans now hold 233 seats in the House to the Democrats? 199. There are three vacancies. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Democrat Alex Sink announced Tuesday that she will not run for Congress this November, foregoing a rematch against David Jolly (R-Fla.), to whom she lost in a March special election.

Jolly beat Sink by less than 2 percentage points in the race to represent Florida's 13th District after the death of Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) in October.

“I am so honored and humbled by the outpouring of support our campaign received, but after reflection with my family I have made a personal decision not to run for the 13th Congressional District seat in the 2014 election," Sink said in a statement. "I want to thank every voter, volunteer and donor for their support -- we can all be proud of the strong campaign we ran. I look forward to finding new, rewarding avenues where I can continue to effectively serve the people of Florida."

Sink also said in her statement that she is "totally convinced" a Democrat could beat Jolly in November.

Following Sink's announcement, Democrats expressed confidence about their chances in the district.

“In the last few weeks, Congressman David Jolly has become the latest face of the most reckless Republican Congress in modern history and he will be forced to campaign under the full weight of his party’s toxic brand in November: raising taxes on middle class families, ending the Medicare guarantee for seniors, and jeopardizing economic growth for businesses -- all to give more to corporate special interests and the ultra-wealthy," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

Israel had wanted Sink to run again for the seat.

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