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Tampa Bay Democrat announces run for Congress with sitcom jingle

Eddie Geller says he’ll serve as “a congressman who cares.”
 
A screen grab from Eddie Geller's 2022 Congressional District 15 launch video. The Democrat, who was born in Clearwater, is promising to serve, if elected, as a "A Congressman who cares."
A screen grab from Eddie Geller's 2022 Congressional District 15 launch video. The Democrat, who was born in Clearwater, is promising to serve, if elected, as a "A Congressman who cares." [ Eddie Geller Campaign ]
Published Aug. 12, 2021|Updated Aug. 12, 2021

The message is reminiscent of the opening credits montage for the sitcom “Full House.”

Except everywhere you look in this video, there’s a congressional candidate announcing a 2022 run.

Eddie Geller, 37, a Democrat and political newcomer, wants to be the congressman for Florida’s 15th Congressional District. He plans to launch his campaign Thursday with a press release and the colorful video.

“Eddie Geller’s here to run for a Florida that’s fair / Here’s someone who gives a damn. What a breath of fresh air!” Geller’s campaign announcement croons. (He wrote the lyrics.)

Geller is a native Floridian who moved back to Brandon this year, according to a spokesperson. Geller said in a press release he’s running to advocate for his district’s interests. He’s pushing a platform of better jobs, affordable health care and fighting climate change.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2005. His career has taken him into show business and activism. His LinkedIn account says at various points he was a comedian; a video producer for the website Upworthy; the Democratic National Committee’s director of video and the head of video production for the Democratic SuperPAC Priorities USA.

“Whether on the campaign trail, advocating for legislation, or working to change our culture, I’ve spent my career committed to championing policies that benefit working-class Americans,” Geller said in a statement. “Now, I’m ready to do the same for the people of Florida’s 15th Congressional District.”

Geller plans to file the federal paperwork to raise money Thursday, the spokesperson said.

Congressional District 15 encompasses parts of Hillsborough, Polk and Lake counties. It has long been a target for Democrats. The district’s boundaries could change before the 2022 elections because of the once-in-a-decade redistricting process.

In 2020, Republican Scott Franklin ousted then-Congressman Ross Spano in a heated GOP primary. Franklin then beat Democrat Alan Cohn by 11 points.

Related: Scott Franklin keeps Republicans' hold on House District 15 seat

Geller is joined in the race by Franklin and Democrat Jesse Philippe, a retired Marine who got 26 percent of the vote in the 2020 Democratic primary for District 15.