Southerland challenger touts ‘North Florida way’ in first ad

Democrat Gwen Graham launched her first ad in her challenge to Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.), a positive spot in which she touts herself as a problem-solver who will bring the “North Florida way” to Washington.

{mosads}“I know it’s frustrating, but we’ve all had it up to here with Congress,” Graham opens the ad.

She goes on to introduce herself as a “wife and working mom,” and says that in her position as the Leon County School District director of employee relations, she brought parents, teachers and administrators together “to cooperate, solve problems and do what was best for students.”

“Congress needs that same approach. Cooperation, not conflict. More problem-solving, less partisanship. That’s the North Florida way,” she says in the ad.

The ad is backed by about $100,000 and will run in the district for two weeks.

Graham, the daughter of former Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.), is a top recruit for Democrats in one of their most high-profile races. Southerland is running for reelection in a competitive district and won reelection last cycle against a weaker candidate last cycle by just five points.