DAVIE, Fla. – Congressional candidate Tim Canova gave away free bagels and coffee Tuesday morning during a meet-and-greet in Cooper City. Meanwhile, his opponent, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, held a similar event in nearby Fort Lauderdale and charged a minimum of $500 per person.
"We thought we would have free bagels with, you know, ordinary folks, not investment bankers, not super delegates," Canova told Local 10 News senior political reporter Michael Putney.
Canova was referring to former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a delegate to the Democratic National Convention appointed by Wasserman Schultz to chair the influential rules committee.
"I have consistently, actively (and) vocally supported and advanced the causes that help make people's lives better, and my opponent has done absolutely nothing," Wasserman Schultz said during a news conference with Frank.
Canova is a law professor running for office for the first time, with support from Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
"You shouldn't have to be able to write a $5,000 check to get the ear of your representatives," Canova said.
Canova agrees with Wasserman Schultz on many social issues, but he said she's too cozy wtih corporate America.
Frank called Canova's comments demonizing.
"I read some stuff today about she's being sold out to these special interests," Frank said. "That's demonizing. It's demonizing when you do not accept a legitimate difference of opinion."
Wasserman Schultz remains the favorite in the Aug. 30 Democratic primary for Florida's 23rd congressional district, but she faces perhaps her toughest intra-party opponent ever in Canova -- her first challenger in 24 years.