The Orlando Sentinel has announced it will not endorse a candidate in a newly created Hispanic-influence congressional district.
The race for District 9 pits former Congressman Alan Grayson, a Democrat, against Orlando-area attorney Todd Long, a Republican.
"We've faced difficult choices in the past, and in recent years have felt compelled to make a pick nevertheless," the newspaper's editorial board notes. "But in this race, we'll pass."
Mike Lafferty, the newspaper's opinions editor told FOX 35 that neither candidate offers steady leadership and statesmanship that voters deserve and Congress needs.
Grayson was elected to Congress in 2008 and defeated two years later by Daniel Webster. As a result of redistricting, Webster is now running in District 10 against Democrat Val Demings, who is the former Orlando Chief of Police and wife of Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.
Grayson quickly made a name for himself in the liberal blogosphere when he took on Republicans in the health care debate. He was seen by many voters as hyperpartisan and left a bad taste in the mouths of voters after he ran a political ad comparing Webster's stances on women's issues to those of the Taliban.
Long is a tea party favorite who is considered by many to be on the other end of the political spectrum from Grayson and just as extreme in his views.
"Long might as well be Grayson's twin when it comes to political style, calling his Democratic opponent "pure evil" and telling him to "shut up" during a debate. Ronald Reagan would be so proud," the editorial board stated. "Someone will win, but not with our recommendation."
