Posted on 11/30/2013 11:07:50 AM PST by Clintonfatigued
A fast-approaching, divisive GOP primary has kick-started the sprint to a high-stakes 2014 House special election in Florida.
As early as this week, officials are scheduled to send primary ballots to voters for the race to succeed the late Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young in the highly competitive 13th District. Both GOP candidates, lobbyist David Jolly and state Rep. Kathleen Peters, are expected to campaign over the Thanksgiving holiday.
But the Jan. 14 primary has already divided St. Petersburg-area GOP politicians, operatives and even members of Young’s family. Meanwhile, Democrats cleared the field for their likely nominee, Alex Sink.
The future nominees will soon endure a deluge from national parties in this long-held GOP district that President Barack Obama won by 1 point last year. The Republican nominee, especially, will have a responsibility as the first candidate of the 2014 cycle to test-drive the GOP’s case against Obama and the implementation of his health care overhaul law.
“If you’d asked me right after the shutdown, I’d say this was a slam dunk for the Democrats, but as it looks now, I think it’s going to be a very, very competitive race because it will be very nationalized,” said former National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia. “And it will be the first time the voters can express themselves on the president and the Affordable Care Act [rollout].”
(Excerpt) Read more at rollcall.com ...
This late Bill Young was a Republican who represented this district since 1971, but the district is marginal and voted for Obama twice. The Democrat is ex-state Controller Alex Sink, who was almost elected Governor in 2010 and is well-known. She was the favorite, but was damaged by the botched rollout of Obamacare.
The Republicans running are not well-known, though both are credible. Kathleen Peters would be the better candidate, as she’s actually won local electionis and has some name I.D. and campaigning experience. David Jolly is a career Washington insider, which is not an asset.
The Dems initial candidate was a young woman lawyer who had worked in DC as an aide and ran for the house in the last election earning 40% of the vote. After first backing her she got a call from the DNC ordering her to step aside and work for Alex Sink who they said had better name recognition. Sink then bought a home in her would-be district so she could appear less of a carpetbagger. Sink is an unapologetic communist. Her husband ran for president on the communist ticket.
Actually, she has only RENTED a home in this district with a 'commitment' to buy somewhere in the district IF she wins. She still has her home in Thonotosassa, east of Tampa near Plant City.
The only sure thing here is the country will lose. I am not so sure the loss will be worse if the communist is elected.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Floridians do embrace a communist.
This was the first FL district to vote Republican for Congress, in 1954, for the late William C. Cramer. It has since been adjusted and is Democrat and maybe even communist now.
What the heck is an Alex Sink?
....said former National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia. “And it will be the first time the voters can express themselves on the president and the Affordable Care Act [rollout].”
if the commie loses, they will say it doesn’t mean anything
I cannot fathom why either the widow or the son didn’t run. The FL rodents rolled out a first tier candidate and we’ve got 2nd or third tier.
Anybody on the ground know if the rodent can win this or we can hold it?
North Floridians would have none of it. Saint Petersburg and points south is more like NYC.
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