Instead, Brown-Waite told a gathering in her home district in Florida that the only major announcement was - she is getting married again.

Then she told constituents that she will run for re-election in November.

Here are her remarks as provided by her office:

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Remarks for Citrus County Lincoln Day Dinner

02/19/10

(Remarks as Prepared)

Since I am here so often in Citrus County I feel like I know so many of you so well. You have my e-mail and my cell phone numbers. I am your neighbor and to so many of you your friend. Remember when you see me it's not Congresswoman or Representative, but just plain Ginny.

I have an important announcement to make, one that I suspect a few of you have been wondering about for some time. I will be getting married within the next few months. We are still working out the exact date. His name is Anthony Selvaggio and I am going to ask him to stand. And no, I won't be adding another hyphen to my name. Nor is it a shotgun wedding.

Will Rogers said elections are like marriages, there is no accounting for someone's taste. This quote is a great segway. I'm sure he can't account for his taste, but I'm glad he did.

As many of you know, I went through a rough couple of years. Losing Harvey was the most crushing moment of my life and, well, you never know when grief will grip you. I have spent a lot of time in prayer, wondering if I could go on. I have taken it to the Lord about whether I should run, and the Lord didn't have a word for me. And Believe me, I was listening!

So I am here tonight to tell you that the Lord hasn't asked me to run again... but you have. Over 12,000 of you have signed my petitions and I have qualified for the ballot. I am here tonight to announce the opening of my campaign for Congress.

Given the challenges facing our nation, the hollow words from our President, and the trust you have placed in me, I could not walk away, not now.

Given the crisis in Washington my fire burns brighter than ever to serve you and I will fight the hardest I have ever fought because this campaign isn't about me, it's about you, our country, and our country's future. It's about you and your children, your grandchildren and our great nation's economy and security.

The letters of support, encouragement and condolence over the last year brought me to tears many times and reminded me of why I do what I do.

Since going to Congress, I have voted for multiple tax cuts. Now more than ever we need to fight the expanding role of government. Now more than ever we need tax reform and tax cuts. Now more than ever we need a principled conservative who will make promises AND fight to keep them.

I don't know about you, but I was astonished when President Obama said he didn't raise taxes. It is only because my minority Republican team refused to budge on tax increases that taxes weren't raised. Obama and Pelosi sure did try to raise them!

And think about the mess the economy is in. Almost 13 Trillion in debt and that's for his first year. Speaking of messes, did you hear the quip about the President's daughters and their dog? They told him they would take the same responsibility for the dog that he is taking for the economy. That way if the dog messes in the white house it will be cleaned up by future generations. That's not funny that's sad.

Washington must curtail it's spending.

I want to be absolutely crystal clear; we should never hide from our promises to our seniors. Now more than ever, I believe when America makes a promise, we must keep it. Social security is not unconstitutional, hundreds of thousands of your neighbors depend on it, and I will fight everyday to protect it.

That is my promise, now more than ever.

Nobody understands more than me that the Federal government doesn't provide the answers, but in times of great crisis, it does provide some safety.


If you're unemployed-- like my opponents, then the federal government provides your unemployment extensions and I don't think we should get rid of that in the middle of the worst economy since our last Great Depression.

Of all my work, I am most proud of my service for Veterans. Together we improved Vets healthcare. We improved the number and quality of clinics. Remember when I started, after somebody who is now the head of the state Democrat party, some vets were waiting 180 days for care. 180 days just to see a doctor. Not any more. I promised to fix it and I did. There is still a lot of work to be done for Vets for sure, but now more than ever, I am committed to their care and honoring their service.

There are some critics who call any commitment to honor our Vets a gimmick. There is another person in this race who mocks my commitment to honoring our vets as passing out trinkets. Let this ring in your ears, I will serve our Vets as they served us. I will fight for our Veterans the way that they fought for us, with every breath and bone in my body. And the people who would make fun of that, I dare you to stand up.

Now more than ever, I'm ready for this fight.

So this year, we must wage a campaign like no other. Now more than ever we must take our fight to this President and make sure he hears us. We must fight Nancy Pelosi and Obamacare. We must cut taxes.

I will fight to get rid of Eric Holder and make sure we bring the war to the terrorists not help them bring it here.

And I promise you, I will make sure President Obama keeps America's promises to her Seniors and our Veterans. We stand such a great chance to take back the House of Representatives and even possibly the Senate. Isn't it exciting that Democrats are on the run?

So tonight, I am doing something I believe in. I am asking for your help to win back the House. I am asking to join 12,000 of your neighbors who've already signed my petitions to put me on the ballot or We the People can fear more Democrat schemes to ruin our economy.

There will be a lot of pundits and promises in all the 2010 campaigns from school board to U.S. Senate. Just remember, light travels faster than sound, that's why some people appear bright until you hear what they have to say.

In the Florida legislature keeping great folks like Ron Schultz to help Charlie Dean and Mike Fasano is very important.

But it's going to take a lot of work, envelope licking and telephone dialing, as well as walking precincts. Get enthusiastic, write a check and volunteer. Let's get 'er done.

Please remember when you see me on the campaign trail to say hello. Just like it's always been; it's just Ginny. Thank you.

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