Politics
House Incumbents Gear Up to Run Again in 2012
101 representatives file to run for another term; only seven have opposition
Around the State
From left: Jason Brodeur, Mike Weinstein, Betty Reed, Steve Precourt, Steve Cristafulli, Darryl Rouson and John Patrick JulienThe next general election may still be 19 months away -- and redistricting will impact a number of the current members -- but 101 House incumbents have already filed to run next year.
With redistricting still up in the air, only seven current members of the House have drawn opponents so far. Republican activist Kim Kendall has filed to take on Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Orange Park, who currently represents parts of Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties. However, Kendall is from St. Johns County, which is in large part currently represented by Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who is facing term limits in 2012. With no candidates having filed for the seat Proctor is vacating, it is possible that Kendall could run for that seat, which also currently represents parts of Clay and Flagler counties.
While Weinstein may face a challenger in the primary, Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, appears to have drawn a serious Democratic opponent in Cocoa Mayor Michael Blake. Blake announced in February that he would run against Crisafulli, who currently represents parts of Brevard and Orange counties, in 2012.
Freshman Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, has not drawn a primary rival or a Democratic opponent yet, but he does face a challenger from a minor party. Franklin Perez, who won the Libertarian nomination in a primary to run for the seat in 2010, has filed with the Division of Elections that he will run for the seat in 2012. It currently contains parts of Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties.
Rep. Stephen Precourt, R-Winter Garden, could also see a familiar face in 2012. Democrat Lee Douglas, who ran against Precourt in 2010, has declared his intention to seek a rematch to take this seat which currently contains parts of Lake, Orange and Osceola counties.
Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, currently represents parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties. Republican activist Sharon Russ, who has run for numerous offices the last decade with a lack of success, has filed to run against Rouson.
Rouson’s fellow Tampa Bay area Democratic Rep. Betty Reed of Tampa could be facing a primary challenge. Community activist Tatiana Denson has filed to take on Reed, who currently represents part of Hillsborough County, in the Democratic primary.
Michael Hepburn, a businessman who is planning on finishing his M.P.A. this year, is looking for a rematch against freshman Rep. John Patrick Julien, D-North Miami Beach. While Julien won the Democratic nomination in a five-candidate filing with more than 40 percent, Hepburn placed second with 23 percent. Julien currently represents part of Miami-Dade County.
No candidates have emerged to run for 10 House seats.
With Proctor facing term limits, no candidates have emerged to run for the seat he currently holds. Term limits also will force House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, to the sidelines in 2012 and nobody has filed yet to run for his Miami-Dade County seat.
Other seats are being vacated as House members run for the Senate -- but in five of those races no candidates have yet to file with the state Division of Elections.
Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, is running for the Senate in 2012; she also faces term limits in the House. No candidates have filed with the state to run for the vacant seat which represents parts of Volusia County.

Comments (5)
Many of these people run on a "string and a prayer" budget. So they plan their strategy out carefully.
Another factor is: What has the incumbent done that I can monopolize on? Not many state house members are really doing anything stupid this year. Not everybody is like Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda Dist. 9 or in the senate Evelyn J. Lynn Dist. 7 who are leading the pack in raising taxes with their new bills they introduce every season. Even this one.
Personally, I don't think we are going to see many challengers this next election.
Many of these people run on a "string and a prayer" budget. So they plan their strategy out carefully.
Another factor is: What has the incumbent done that I can monopolize on? Not many state house members are really doing anything stupid this year. Not everybody is like Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda Dist. 9 or in the senate Evelyn J. Lynn Dist. 7 who are leading the pack in raising taxes with their new bills they introduce every season. Even this one.
Personally, I don't think we are going to see many challengers this next election.