Politics
House Seats 66-70: At Least Three New Members Headed to the House
Around the State
House Seat 66: With Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven, leaving the House, two Republicans and a write-in candidate are battling for this seat representing all of Hardee County and parts of Highlands and Polk counties. Longtime chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission Ben Albritton is a heavy favorite to win the Republican nomination over Chevon Baccus. Albritton raised more than $199,000 and loaned his campaign $15,000. With around $75,000 in the bank, he should defeat Baccus who has spent most of the more than $13,000 in his war chest. Whoever wins the primary should win the seat since they will only face a write-in candidate come November.
House Race 67: Three Republicans, a Democrat and an independent candidate are in the running to replace retiring Speaker Pro Temp Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton, to represent parts of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Attorney and Iraq War veteran Greg Steube leads the Republicans, having raised more than $206,000 with around $92,000 on hand at the end of July. Dr. Bob McCann has posted solid fund-raising numbers, bringing in more than $101,000 in contributions, kicking in $25,000 in loans and spending more than $112,000. But McCann has been hurt by strange claims made in his campaign about his resume and about being endorsed by Marco Rubio when he wasn’t. He has two serious rivals in the primary: businessman Jeremiah Guccione compiled an impressive war chest, raising almost $75,000, adding $50,000 in loans and spending almost $64,000; attorney Z.J. Hafeez is the Democratic candidate and had around $64,000 in the bank at the end of July. Term-limits activist John Studebaker is running in November without party affiliation. While the Republican primary will certainly command attention, this could be one to watch come November.
House Seat 68: With Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, facing term limits, Republican nominee Jim Boyd, with a background in insurance and real estate, appears headed to Tallahassee to represent parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties. With around $63,000 on hand, Boyd should have no problem with independent candidate Dave “Watchdog” Miner.
House Seat 69: Republicans would love to take down Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, who is one of the sharpest Democrats in the House. Fitzgerald, who represents parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties, will be tough to beat. He raked in more than $113,000 and had more than $101,000 on hand at the end of July. Former Sarasota County Commissioner Ray Pilon is the Republican nominee. With less than $35,000 on hand, Pilon will need to focus on fund-raising to catch the incumbent. Fitzgerald should be considered a solid favorite to return to Tallahassee. Keep in mind, Fitzgerald has been mentioned as a possible running mate for likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink.
House Seat 70: With more than $55,000 in the bank, Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, is a favorite, but not a heavy one, to win another term representing parts of Sarasota County. Former assistant attorney general of Maine, Nancy Feehan, is the Democratic candidate. Feehan loaned her campaign $15,000 and had raised more than $17,000 by the end of July. Holder is ahead but Feehan could make this an interesting race.
House Race 67: Three Republicans, a Democrat and an independent candidate are in the running to replace retiring Speaker Pro Temp Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton, to represent parts of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Attorney and Iraq War veteran Greg Steube leads the Republicans, having raised more than $206,000 with around $92,000 on hand at the end of July. Dr. Bob McCann has posted solid fund-raising numbers, bringing in more than $101,000 in contributions, kicking in $25,000 in loans and spending more than $112,000. But McCann has been hurt by strange claims made in his campaign about his resume and about being endorsed by Marco Rubio when he wasn’t. He has two serious rivals in the primary: businessman Jeremiah Guccione compiled an impressive war chest, raising almost $75,000, adding $50,000 in loans and spending almost $64,000; attorney Z.J. Hafeez is the Democratic candidate and had around $64,000 in the bank at the end of July. Term-limits activist John Studebaker is running in November without party affiliation. While the Republican primary will certainly command attention, this could be one to watch come November.
House Seat 68: With Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, facing term limits, Republican nominee Jim Boyd, with a background in insurance and real estate, appears headed to Tallahassee to represent parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties. With around $63,000 on hand, Boyd should have no problem with independent candidate Dave “Watchdog” Miner.
House Seat 69: Republicans would love to take down Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, who is one of the sharpest Democrats in the House. Fitzgerald, who represents parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties, will be tough to beat. He raked in more than $113,000 and had more than $101,000 on hand at the end of July. Former Sarasota County Commissioner Ray Pilon is the Republican nominee. With less than $35,000 on hand, Pilon will need to focus on fund-raising to catch the incumbent. Fitzgerald should be considered a solid favorite to return to Tallahassee. Keep in mind, Fitzgerald has been mentioned as a possible running mate for likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink.
House Seat 70: With more than $55,000 in the bank, Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, is a favorite, but not a heavy one, to win another term representing parts of Sarasota County. Former assistant attorney general of Maine, Nancy Feehan, is the Democratic candidate. Feehan loaned her campaign $15,000 and had raised more than $17,000 by the end of July. Holder is ahead but Feehan could make this an interesting race.
Comments (4)
Have we stooped so low in politics that it comes down to the candidate who has the most money?
No wonder our country is in such a financial morass. Big money, big votes!
The big money candidates have been bought out by the lobbyists and contributors from big $ corporations.
Look at GWB and Dick Cheney's legacy in Texas. GW grandfathered in the refineries in Pasadena, Tx and all along the Gulf Coast before he left office as governor of Texas so they did not have to comply with EPA regulations to control the polllution from the refineries. The result? Highest incidence of childhood leukemia and glioblastoma ( most malignant brain tumor) in the whole United States and is is floating across the Gulf to all of the Floridians. So if you vote for the big monied candidates who are supported by the lobbyists for the big corporations, oil corporations being some of the highest contributors, it is arpetheid in the most vile form as many of the residents in the refinery area are Hispanic.
I worked as an R.N. at MD Anderson Cancer and Research Center for years before my retirement and know from personal experience the horrific toll this blatant disregard of pollution cotrol has taken on the population.
I hope everyone goes to the polls on Nov. 2nd and votes for a candidate who is not in bed with the big corporations who have outsourced our jobs, ruined our economy and eroded our health.
Leave a Comment on This Story