Repubs, Dems, Tea Partier Battle for Adam Putnam's U.S. House Seat
With an influx of independent voters, CD 12 race is one to watch
Around the State
With U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam vacating his congressional seat to run for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, a three-way race is shaping up as a serious challenger to the Democrats and Republicans has emerged on the Tea Party line.
The 12th Congressional District contains most of Polk County but also portions of Osceola County as well as the eastern part of Hillsborough County. Bartow, Brandon, Lakeland, Plant City and Winter Haven all fall in the district.
While this has been a strong area for Republicans, there are a growing number of independent voters in the region. Sen. John McCain, the GOP presidential candidate in 2008, barely carried the district, winning 51 percent. Putnam did better, winning more than 58 percent while Democratic candidate Doug Tudor pulled more than 41 percent.
These non-affiliated voters will be a key factor come November. “It’s the fastest growing segment of registered voters in the district,” said Fred Piccolo, campaign manager for Republican frontrunner Dennis Ross.
Former state Rep. Ross is the heavy favorite for the Republican nomination. Ross has won extensive backing from Republicans at the national level, such as U.S. House Minority Leaders John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Mike Pence. Ross has also secured the backing of many prominent Florida Republicans including Putnam, former Gov. Jeb Bush and former House Speaker and U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney.
Ross served in the Florida House from 2000 until 2008. In 2007, Ross led the unsuccessful fight against an expansion of state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and lost his chairmanship of the Insurance Committee.
Piccolo, Ross’ campaign manager, said Wednesday that this independence would help his candidate’s chances in the congressional election.
“It’s the mood of the electorate,” said Piccolo. “If you’ve demonstrated your commitment to independence and stuck by your principles over the party, this is your year.”
Piccolo said that Ross’ 20 years as a small businessman would also resonate with voters. “He’s the only one in this race who has created private sector jobs,” said Piccolo.
The Ross team has compiled an impressive war chest, raising more than $620,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2010, with more than $364,000 cash on hand.
John Lindsey, Jr., a tea party activist, is also running for the Republican nomination but has not been able to generate much momentum, with less than $500 cash on hand at the end of the first quarter deadline.
While Ross looks almost certain to be the Republican nominee, two strong candidates are battling for the Democratic nomination.
Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards is running for the Democratic nomination. Having served four terms in the state House as well as winning the current position, Edwards has been active on the Polk County political scene for almost two decades.
Jason Lutin, serving on the Edwards campaign as finance director, said that this experience will help propel his candidate to victory in the Democratic primary and the general election. “She’s one of the few Democrats from this area who has been consistently elected,” said Lutin. “She’s a local and understands the people of this area.”
“Jobs and the economy are the number one issues I’m hearing about on a regular basis,” said Edwards.
Lutin agreed with Piccolo that the district was changing, but insisted this would help Edwards. “The demographics of the area have changed dramatically,” said Lutin. “Lori Edwards has the ability to reach out.”
Edwards agreed in that assessment and noted that more people were registering as independents in Polk County than as Democrats or Republicans. “People have had it up to here with the partisanship, gridlock and the bickering,” she said.
Edwards raised more than $245,000 by the end of the first quarter, with more than $106,000 cash on hand. Despite this, national political analyst Charlie Cook has been critical of Edwards’ fundraising efforts. Edwards disagreed with that take and said, “I’ll have the resources I’ll need.”
Navy veteran Doug Tudor, who ran against Putnam in 2008, is also running for the Democratic nomination.
The 12th Congressional District contains most of Polk County but also portions of Osceola County as well as the eastern part of Hillsborough County. Bartow, Brandon, Lakeland, Plant City and Winter Haven all fall in the district.
While this has been a strong area for Republicans, there are a growing number of independent voters in the region. Sen. John McCain, the GOP presidential candidate in 2008, barely carried the district, winning 51 percent. Putnam did better, winning more than 58 percent while Democratic candidate Doug Tudor pulled more than 41 percent.
These non-affiliated voters will be a key factor come November. “It’s the fastest growing segment of registered voters in the district,” said Fred Piccolo, campaign manager for Republican frontrunner Dennis Ross.
Former state Rep. Ross is the heavy favorite for the Republican nomination. Ross has won extensive backing from Republicans at the national level, such as U.S. House Minority Leaders John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Mike Pence. Ross has also secured the backing of many prominent Florida Republicans including Putnam, former Gov. Jeb Bush and former House Speaker and U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney.
Ross served in the Florida House from 2000 until 2008. In 2007, Ross led the unsuccessful fight against an expansion of state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and lost his chairmanship of the Insurance Committee.
Piccolo, Ross’ campaign manager, said Wednesday that this independence would help his candidate’s chances in the congressional election.
“It’s the mood of the electorate,” said Piccolo. “If you’ve demonstrated your commitment to independence and stuck by your principles over the party, this is your year.”
Piccolo said that Ross’ 20 years as a small businessman would also resonate with voters. “He’s the only one in this race who has created private sector jobs,” said Piccolo.
The Ross team has compiled an impressive war chest, raising more than $620,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2010, with more than $364,000 cash on hand.
John Lindsey, Jr., a tea party activist, is also running for the Republican nomination but has not been able to generate much momentum, with less than $500 cash on hand at the end of the first quarter deadline.
While Ross looks almost certain to be the Republican nominee, two strong candidates are battling for the Democratic nomination.
Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards is running for the Democratic nomination. Having served four terms in the state House as well as winning the current position, Edwards has been active on the Polk County political scene for almost two decades.
Jason Lutin, serving on the Edwards campaign as finance director, said that this experience will help propel his candidate to victory in the Democratic primary and the general election. “She’s one of the few Democrats from this area who has been consistently elected,” said Lutin. “She’s a local and understands the people of this area.”
“Jobs and the economy are the number one issues I’m hearing about on a regular basis,” said Edwards.
Lutin agreed with Piccolo that the district was changing, but insisted this would help Edwards. “The demographics of the area have changed dramatically,” said Lutin. “Lori Edwards has the ability to reach out.”
Edwards agreed in that assessment and noted that more people were registering as independents in Polk County than as Democrats or Republicans. “People have had it up to here with the partisanship, gridlock and the bickering,” she said.
Edwards raised more than $245,000 by the end of the first quarter, with more than $106,000 cash on hand. Despite this, national political analyst Charlie Cook has been critical of Edwards’ fundraising efforts. Edwards disagreed with that take and said, “I’ll have the resources I’ll need.”
Navy veteran Doug Tudor, who ran against Putnam in 2008, is also running for the Democratic nomination.
Comments (0)