During his very short-lived campaign to challenge Kathy Castor for Congress in 2012, Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpevowed that if elected to serve in Washington, the only pledge that he would take would be one "that says I'm not going to be signing pledges."
No such remark has been made by David Jolly, Kathleen Peters or Mark Bircher, the three candidates running for the Republican nomination for Congress in Pinellas County's District 13 race next week, and no such statement will be forthcoming after all three have signed theAmericans For Tax Reform pledge promising to oppose higher taxes.
[jump]The group, led by famed conservative anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist, says that the Pledge guarantees that signers will “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”
Meanwhile the three candidates will debate on Friday night on WEDU's Florida This Week program, airing at 8:30 p.m and hosted by Rob Lorei. The debate will be replayed Sunday at 12:30 p.m.