Democratic Candidate for Congress in Southwest Florida Reacts to Rooney's Retirement

On October 19, 2019, NBC-2 News in Southwest Florida broke the news that incumbent Francis Rooney will not be seeking re-election to Florida's Congressional District 19. Democratic candidate, Dr. Cindy Banyai, filed for the race in the beginning of September. The unofficial launch of her campaign was an op-ed published by the News-Press in Fort Myers opposing Rooney's claim that he was suddenly pro-environment.

Dr. Banyai was asked to comment on Rooney's retirement by several news outlets, including the NBC-2, News-Press

, and WINK. The coverage included an interview on NBC-2 airing on Monday, October 21.

Here is Dr. Banyai's full statement on the retirement of Francis Rooney.

"I can certainly understand why Rooney no longer wants to participate in the destruction of our democracy and is following his conscience into retirement. Now is the time for Southwest Florida to have leadership in Congress that truly serves the people. I am that servant leader who has spent their entire career listening to the community and speaking truth power. It is my honor to be the only remaining candidate in this race and the right choice for the people of Southwest Florida."

Additional coverage of Dr. Banyai on Rooney's retirement can be found at Paradise Progressive and Collier Democrats.