Former Governor Mitt Romney won the GOP Primary this evening after spending more than $15 million dollars to defeat his chief rival Newt Gingrich. The vote tonight continues to illustrate a Republican party unhappy with the choices to lead their party and unconvinced any of their candidates are ready to lead the United States.

After outspending Newt Gingrich by a margin of 5 to 1, Mitt Romney is showing that if his agenda cannot endear him to the GOP party faithful, he believes his best strategy is to buy the nomination at any expense.

“The vote tonight in the Sunshine state shows a Republican party out of touch with the average Floridian as well as with the majority of Americans”, said YDA Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge. “Governor Romney continues to believe that the path to victory is to throw money at elections and repeat what his pollsters and staff are telling him to say, feel, and think rather than offering a solid vision for America or standing on principle.  Young Americans are focused on how we can work together to build the strongest future for all Americans, not just the few.  Meanwhile, Governor Romney continues to promote cutting access to college education by cutting Pell Grants and encourage cutting Social Security, which more and more of our grandparents have not only earned but depend on.  He continues to disavow the DREAM Act and a defined path to citizenship for young people who have earned it, and he continues to position himself as a fringe candidate for a nomination, not a leader for the United States of America.”

“Romney, Gingrich and their allies spent money hand over fist to buy the support of the voters in our fair sunshine state”, said Florida Young Democrats President Justin Spiller. “At the same time, state Republicans are trying to make sure that the voter suppression law recently enacted remains in place to restrict the vote of not just the youth of Florida but seniors, blacks and Hispanics. The Florida Young Democrats and Democrats period will continue to work in the best interest of all Floridians, and re-electing our President is essential to that cause.”

Florida native Alexander Lewy who serves as YDA Jewish Caucus Chair also added, “Jewish Americans don’t look favorably on candidates who treat Israeli security like a political football.  Romney and Gingrich have lied to Floridians about President Obama’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security. President Obama provided funding and support for Israel’s latest defense projects and condemned Palestinian rocket attacks against the Jewish State of Israel. Our President has also supported funding for Jewish community services while in 2003 Mitt Romney vetoed Kosher food funding for Jewish nursing homes.”

The Young Democrats of America continue to support President Obama’s Blueprint for an “America Built to Last” and look forward to working with young leaders and allied organizations in Florida and throughout the nation to support the President.  We will register young Americans to vote, mobilize young leaders in support of an agenda that empowers our generation to attain the American dream, and educate young voters on the stark contract between the Democratic and Republican agendas in 2012.