Conservative Yost files to oppose Brown for US House seat again in 2012

Conservative Mike Yost announced he will mount a challenge to Rep. Corrine Brown in 2012. [Photo from Mike Yost campaign.]Mike Yost told The US Report on Friday he has filed necessary paperwork to oppose Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla. 3) in 2012 for the US House seat in Dist. 3.

Yost opposed Brown in the 2010 midterm elections. The Florida Times-Union suggested turnout in Orange and Duval Counties helped secure Brown’s victory—that and the fact Yost was outspent by Brown by more than $800,000. Yost, however, did better in rural areas the paper said.

The Jacksonville auto mechanic managed to raise $80,000, mostly from grassroots supporters and mostly from grassroots efforts.

Brown also had another advantage because her campaign offices were less than 75 yards from the precinct.

A source who wishes to remain anonymous told The US Report Brown held political events including dinners and voters were bused from churches.

Brown is famous for her earmarks—The T-U credits her with $640 million in known pork since 2008. Brown has vowed to continue the practice but it remains to be seen whether the new Republican leadership in the House can stymie her pork barrel approach.

During the 2010 campaign, Yost called attention to sizable sums of money that Brown earmarked as sponsor or co-sponsor—those sizable sums went outside Brown’s district.

Asked how his wife Debra felt about his decision, Yost said, “She is behind me; she’s fully supportive.”

And Yost has a philosophical approach to what he knows will be a challenging campaign. “My grandfather told me life is not a trip, it’s a journey. Winning this seat for conservatives is not a trip, it’s a journey.”

Yost said he’s had positive encouragement from people in communities in Duval, Clay and elsewhere. He hopes to get support from legislators and anyone else interested in seeing conservatives elected to office.

Yost also said he’s starting early. There’s potential in the independents. He said during the 2010 election, “Only 12 percent of independents [in the district] got out and voted.”

Yost sees his race as a pressing matter despite the current clamor over upcoming local races. “We can’t wait ‘til 2012 to win this congressional district,” he said. “My goal is to have $250,000 raised by the end of 2011. I need people to step up to the plate now.”

So far Yost is the only Republican to express interest in opposing Brown in 2012.

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(Filed by Kay B. Day/Jan. 21, 2011)