Fundraising totals for Loomer – 'Republicans' AOC' – boost bid for Florida congressional seat

Laura Loomer – the Florida congressional candidate dubbed “the Republicans’ AOC” – is emerging from outsider candidate to legitimate contender, based on recent fundraising numbers. 

Loomer’s campaign raised $204,786 in the first quarter of 2020, according to April filings with the Federal Election Commission, bringing her total to nearly $600,000 — significantly more than her eight GOP primary rivals combined, according to the New York Post.

The 26-year-old Loomer got the name “Republicans’ AOC” from GOP strategist Roger Stone, who’s comparing her to political provocateur and freshman New York Democratic Rep. Alexenadria Ocasio-Cortez. 

“She’s young. She’s energetic. She’s feisty. She’s anti-establishment, and she has an enormous national following, as does AOC, which can help finance a congressional race,” Stone told The Post.

To be sure, some of Loomer’s opinions are not those of the establishment or mainstream. Her views about Islam have reportedly resulted in her being banned on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Loomer is attempting to make the transition into politics from journalism, in which she became known for her video interviews of public figures, which she describes as an “in your face" style of reporting. 

Loomer suggests in a video on her campaign website that being banned on social media is also connected to her being a "loyal Trump supporter.”

“Fighting censorship is just one of many reasons I'm running for Congress,” she says in the video. 

If Loomer prevails in the crowded GOP primary in August, she will likely face four-term incumbent Lois Frankel, in the state’s Democrartic-leaning 21st congressional district, which includes West Palm Beach.