Tampa, FL – Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995- 1999, endorsed Mike Prendergast for Florida’s 11th congressional district. The announcement marked the first major endorsement for Prendergast since accepting the Republican nomination less than a week ago.

“I am honored by the endorsements I have received thus far but this one is exceptional,” Prendergast said. “I will model Speaker Gingrich’s outspoken defense of the people and serve selflessly to ensure their needs are met.”

The endorsement was officially received early Monday morning.

“This election holds historical implications,” Gingrich said. “America is at risk. The results will decide the direction of our country for future generations. We must steer our nation back on the right course, and Mike Prendergast knows the way. His service in the military, his experience in Washington and his genuine desire to serve the people of his hometown make Mike Prendergast the right choice for Congress.”

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The Time is Now and We Need Your Help!!!

Please join the Prendergast team and help us WIN in 2010!

We are hosting a Volunteer Pep Rally at Campaign Headquarters

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 from 5:30 – 7:30

at 1300 N. Westshore Blvd, Ste 150

Please come out to Meet Mike, show your support and sign up to help volunteer

**Food Will Be Served**

Please RSVP to staffdirector@pickprendergast.com or call 813-369-2904

by Monday, August 30

In Temple Terrace
Saturday, July 31st Walk for Mike, 9 a.m. at Lenny’s 10918 N 56th St 33617
Tuesday August 3rd 6 – 8 p.m.  Meet Mike at Lenny’s for a Cuban sandwich.

In West Tampa
Saturday, July 31st Walk for Mike, 9 a.m. Meet at Prendergast Headquarters.

In Town & Country
Saturday August 7th Walk for Mike, 9 a.m. at Publix
12 Oaks Plaza 7018 W Waters Ave, Tampa 33634
Monday, August 9th 6 – 8 p.m. Meet Mike at Versailles for a Cuban sandwich.
8218 Hanley Rd, Tampa 33634

In St. Petersburg
Saturday, August 7th Walk for Mike, 9 a.m. at Munch’s 3920 6th St S.
Wednesday, August 11th 7 – 9 a.m. Mike invites you for coffee at Munch’s.

In West Carrollwood
Saturday, August 14th Walk for Mike, 9 a.m. at Alex’s 5362 W Village Dr. 33624
Monday,  August 16th Meet Mike at his NO MORE PORK Barbeque at Alex’s, 6 – 8 p.m.

RSVP  BY EMAILING TO STAFFDIRECTOR@PICKPRENDERGAST.COM OR BY CALLING 813-­369-­2904

A 10 % tax hike may sink local businesses

Tampa, FL – The tanning tax that took effect on July 1 not only violates two of the Obama administration promises to the people, but also is a discriminatory excise tax targeting small businesses. Mike Prendergast, Republican candidate for Congress in Florida’s Eleventh District, understands the tax exemplifies what people want to see changed in Washington and would work diligently to eliminate these practices and rectify these inequities.

Lawmakers buried the provisions for the tax on the fourth to final page of the 906 page Health Care Reform Bill. Still not convinced the tax would be camouflaged well enough from the public, “They [Congress] slipped it in the middle of the night three days before the [Senate] bill passed on Christmas Eve,” said John Overstreet of the Indoor Tanning Association. The public is shut out from these midnight meetings in Washington.

The President pledged not to raise taxes on families earning less than $250,000 as well as complete transparency of the Government to the people. Obama is not directly taxing families earning less than $250,000, just the small business owners of independent tanning salons, over half of whom are women, and the over 19,000 salons who employ 160,000 Americans. These small businesses will not survive the new cost burden so they are forced to pass on the tax, which they are then demonized for by the Government.

Transparency has been murky at best. Software has yet to be updated on most cash registers to include the tax and information provided to businesses has been scarce, “’Small business owners across the country have already been feeling the financial and paperwork burdens caused by the tax, with some shutting their doors and others laying off employees,’” president of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquis said. He added that local businesses claim information about the tax has been, “next to none.”

Colonel Prendergast said, “Rep. Kathy Castor and Nancy Pelosi, both supporters of the tax, have once again collaborated against their constituents. There are over 75 tanning facilities in the Greater Tampa Bay area and 1,912 tanning facilities estimated to employ 6,840 people, serving 1.1 million people in California. We the people deserve better than what our representatives. Small business can no longer afford Washington. The time for change is now.”

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Candidate rallies behind current representative

Tampa, FL – Mike Prendergast, candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida’s District 11, stands firmly with House Minority Leader John Boehner’s view on the financial reform bill passed through the Senate today. The bill awaits only the President’s signature to become an incomplete law that over-regulates every part of the financial sector except for the two associations that need restraint the most.

“It ought to be repealed,” Boehner told reporters. “The financial reform bill is ill-conceived. I think it is going to make credit harder for the American people to get.”

“Any legislation that excludes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is a sham and should be rejected as such,” Prendergast said. “These overreaching, irresponsible associations were leaders in the uninhibited lending practices that kicked the legs out from under our economy.”

He added of November, “It’s time to vote our country back on its feet.”

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• Why Mike (mp3)
• Jobs (mp3)

People are noticing that Mike’s genuine message is not only a compelling one that has helped propel our grassroots momentum, but it’s a message that’s been consistent since the day he entered the race!

People like you agree with Mike’s message of limited government.

The people of Tampa and St. Petersburg want policies that create jobs in the private sector. What they don’t want is wasteful spending that grows the government at the expense of the people.

To keep this message on the air and spread Mike’s message of real conservative values, we need $10,000 by Friday. Because of you we have already gained so much momentum, but we need your continued support. Please contribute whatever amount you can today and keep these ads on the air.

Contact: Cameron Ross
(813)369-2904
staffdirector@pickprendergast.com

Florida’s 5th District lines up behind campaign

Tampa, FL – Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite publicly supported Mike Prendergast, candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida’s District 11. Brown-Waite has been steadfast in her representation of her constituents and this country.

“Mike’s leadership will be invaluable to Congress,” Brown-Waite said, “As a former member of the Homeland Security and Veteran’s Affairs Committees, I saw need for more people like Mike who lead with honor and integrity. He will be instrumental in keeping our country safe and will no doubt represent the people the way they deserve to be.”

“I appreciate Rep. Brown-Waite’s endorsement,” Prendergast responded. “She will be missed in Congress after her retirement but has served her people with an unmatched dedication.”

Colonel Mike Prendergast is a native of Tampa and a graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School.  In 2009, after more than 31 years of service, Mike Prendergast retired from the U.S. Army as U.S. Central Command’s Provost Marshal.

Mike and his wife Naomi have two children and four grandchildren.   Their daughter, Melissa, lives in Savannah with her husband Caleb (a “Nightstalker” with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment presently preparing for his 7^th deployment for Afghanistan) and sons Dylan and Grant.  Their son, Robert (a Fort Stewart Military Police Soldier presently deployed to Afghanistan), lives in Hinesville with his wife Elisabeth, son Robert Jr. and daughter Charlee Sue.

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See more…

June 22, 2010

Pasco County Sheriff Bob White Endorses Mike Prendergast for Congress

Tampa, FL – The day after Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee announced his endorsement of Mike Prendergast, he is joined by Pasco County Sheriff Bob White.

“It is my honor to endorse a great American who has served our country with valor and dedication. I support Mike Prendergast’s stance on our economy, immigration issues, budget reform and education. Mike has earned the admiration and respect of many people throughout the bay area. I feel that as a Congressman, he will use his knowledge to ensure that his obligation to the citizens he serves will be carried out with sincerity, enthusiasm and honesty.”

White was elected Sheriff in 2000. His daughter is a deputy sheriff with the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office.

Colonel Mike Prendergast is a native of Tampa and a graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School. In 2009, after more than 31 years of service, Mike Prendergast retired from the U.S. Army as U.S. Central Command’s Provost Marshal.

Mike and his wife Naomi have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Melissa, lives in Savannah with her husband Caleb (a “Nightstalker” with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment presently preparing for his 7th deployment for Afghanistan) and sons Dylan and Grant. Their son, Robert (a Fort Stewart Military Police Soldier presently deployed to Afghanistan), lives in Hinesville with his wife Elisabeth, son Robert Jr. and daughter Charlee Sue.

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Tampa, FL – Today, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee endorsed Mike Prendergast for Congress.  Gee praised Prendergast’s leadership as he added his name to a growing list of concerned Tampa Bay leaders backing Prendergast.

“I am endorsing Mike Prendergast for Congress because I firmly believe that we need leaders in Washington that will lead by example. He understands that to be able to do what is right for Tampa Bay means you must listen to the citizens of Tampa Bay. I have no doubt Mike Prendergast’s leadership experience has taught him that lesson first hand and I am convinced he will rely of that understanding to represent the 11th District with honor and integrity.”

Sheriff Gee has served the citizens of Hillsborough County for thirty years and was elected Sheriff in 2004.

Colonel Mike Prendergast is a native of Tampa and a graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School. In 2009, after more than 31 years of service, Mike Prendergast retired from the U.S. Army as U.S. Central Command’s Provost Marshal.

Mike and his wife Naomi have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Melissa, lives in Savannah with her husband Caleb (a “Nightstalker” with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment presently preparing for his 7th deployment for Afghanistan) and sons Dylan and Grant. Their son, Robert (a Fort Stewart Military Police Soldier presently deployed to Afghanistan), lives in Hinesville with his wife Elisabeth, son Robert Jr. and daughter Charlee Sue.

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