Largo, FL - Amanda Makki (@amandamakki) wins the in-person Conservative Grounds straw poll with 68% of the vote. 291 Pinellas County Republicans voted in-person during the poll and of those, 198 people cast their votes for Makki.
“This victory is especially notable because it took place in a venue which is heavily patronized by supporters of Donald Trump and I am honored that they overwhelmingly support me for FL-13,” said Amanda Makki after learning the results of the poll.
The Conservative Grounds straw poll ran from November 12th to December 12th. Makki received 198 votes giving her 68%, Anna Paulina Luna got 85 votes (29%), Audrey Henson had 7 votes (2.4%) and Christine Quinn had 1 vote (0.003%).
Makki has been endorsed by 12 Pinellas Mayors - more than any other Republican or Democrat in the FL-13 race. Her endorsements include: Indian Shores Mayor Patrick Soranno, Belleair Beach Mayor Joseph Manzo, Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine, Pinellas Park Mayor Sandra Bradbury, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, Belleair Mayor Mike Wilkinson, Largo Mayor Woody Brown, Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters, Madeira Beach Mayor John Hendricks, North Redington Beach Mayor Bill Queen, Redington Beach Mayor David Will, Belleair Shore Mayor Bob Schmidt, the 2018 Republican nominee for FL-13 George Buck, the widow of former Pinellas Congressman Bill Young, Beverly Young, The Republican Main Street Partnership and Florida’s own Maggie’s List. Maggie’s List is the leading national organization focused on electing strong conservative women to Congress.
Makki has spent her career fighting for conservative values as a Senior Republican Healthcare advisor for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, a frequent commentator on conservative ideals and strategy on Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, and several other networks. She served in the Pentagon after 9/11, and as an attorney during the Wisconsin recount for President Trump.