Democrat Alan Grayson has defeated Republican Todd Long in the Florida Congressional District 9 race.
Instant Analysis:
One of the biggest villains/anti-heroes is going to return to Washington. Alan Grayson easily defeated Todd Long in the left leaning district. Grayson threw a boatload of money into the GOP primary to defeat the favorite John Q Quinones to get Long in the general. It was going to be an uphill climb for Long, I think everyone in both campaigns knew that. Heavy Hispanic district, Puerto Rican population that votes Democrat, it was written out almost perfectly for Grayson.
The Big Question is what’s next? Alan Grayson is going back to Washington. How is he going to behave in a district that almost assures he’s got a longer future in Washington ahead of him.
Here is your race preview for Florida House District 29 between Republican Chris Dorworth and Democrat Mike Clelland.
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Transcript:
Florida Politics with Frank Torres. Today, we’re profiling the Florida House District 29 race between Republican Chris Dorworth and Democrat Mike Clelland. Chris Dorworth, one of the most controversial names in Central Florida Politics. The guy has bad press for days. He’s pounded in the papers almost every week, and despised by Democrats all over the region. But, he is district 29′s guy. He’s ahead in polling right now, despite the bad press, and he won easily in 2010. Democrats are trying though, they’ve been airing this clever commercial against Dorworth.
(Dorworth on trial ad)
A clever ad by the Democrats, Dorworth being put on trial by the Democrats by school children. But, with all that being said, Dorworth still has the edge in this race. The money is still lining up behind Dorworth, he’s tabbed to be Florida House speaker, and his constituents might be proud of that. That’s where I think that lead comes from. Also, I don’t see the fire from Mike Clelland. I’ve heard him speak a couple of times, he’s certainly got the background intensity, former firefighter, he’s got a good story to tell, but on the stump, in the media, he doesn’t have what it takes to beat Dorworth. In the media Dorworth actually runs around him, making himself look like the good guy despite the issues. Also, the lack of presence out there in the district. A lot more Dorworth signs, than Clelland signs, don’t see a lot of walkers for Clelland. So, despite the fact that Democrats have a vulnerable candidate in Chris Dorworth, and an opportunity to really shake things up in Tallahassee, I don’t think there going to capitalize on it. Although polling isn’t that far off. Dorworth has a small lead in the polls, but I don’t think Clelland will make it up. Like I said he gets a lot of bad press, some of it may or may not be true there is a lot to sort through. But, he is still district 29′s guy, so, until the voters feel a different way, there still going to line up behind him, there still going to elect him. So, that’s your Florida district 29 race, I’m Frank Torres and I’ll see you next time.
While the eyes of the state have been focused on the Republican primary contest for the right to take on Barack Obama, the focus on the GOP primary to retire Bill Nelson has mostly gone unnoticed.
That’s unfortunate. This race has been as exiting if not more, than this lagging national primary.
About this time last year George Lemieux had already declared his candidacy. His top challenger was to be former State Majority leader Adam Hasner. The two well spoken candidates had a few noteworthy exchanges, Lemieux labeling Hasner a moderate, Hasner calling Lemieux, GOP turned Indy Guv Charlie Crist’s “Go to guy”. Senate President Mike Harodopolis would briefly enter the fray before a meltdown in Tallahassee and series of campaign faux pas would lead to his early exit. Restaranteur Craig Miller and Col. Mike McCalister were also in the race but, would take the backseat to the Lemieux/Hasner battles.
A key ingredient was missing in this key primary that would nominate a candidate to take on the entrenched Democrat.
Enthusiasm. Nelson was polling double digits ahead of all of these guys. This had the party wondering if the solution was in the current crop of candidates.
Enter Connie Mack IV. The famous name with the ties to raise money. He declared and shot to the top of the polls.
Adam Hasner checked down to run for the House in South Florida, Miller went east to campaign for the newly created CD 6 House seat. McCalister remains but is invisible in the polls.
George Lemieux wasn’t going anywhere. Why should he? He was the money leader. He held major endorsements. He’d served albeit a short time in the Senate and wasn’t going to step aside for Mack. He shot out releases blasting Connie Mack’s absence from the state, pointing out that the Congressman preferred working from California with his wife, fellow House Representative Mary Bono Mack.
Mack’s ascension continued. He was only a point or two behind Bill Nelson. Was he going to walk in and take this nomination?
Shots fired. Mack largely ignored the ad instead, focusing on fundraising and stumping for GOP Prez frontrunner Mitt Romney. The questions would still come.
Lemeiux’s offensive would continue with a winning a streak of straw polls and a growing number of state legislators endorsing the former senator. He doubled down on the Charlie Sheen rhetoric releasing a fake endorsement from the “Winning” Warlock with Tiger Blood running through his veins on April Fools day.
Yesterday, Mack responded with a number. One Million. His fundraising haul for the quarter.
Mack’s message has the tone of a general election contest. Most of the time ignoring Lemieux’s accusations and focusing on Bill Nelson. As the debate season kicks off that will seem unlikely to continue as both should have plenty of cash on hand to run an effective “air war” over the television.
It’s already personal and it’s not that Mack doesn’t have the discipline to stay silent, I believe as the primary approaches that the party is going to want to see Mack mix it up. If he doesn’t how is he going to compete with Bill Nelson sharing a ballot with President Obama?
Crist vs. Rubio? Please! Charlie Crist was too nice and took frequent beatdowns from Rubio and at times Democrat Kendrick Meek. “You don’t know what’s in my heart”? yeah that was Crist for you.
There will be aggression, there will be accusations and it will get even more personal.
Will you be watching?
Connie Mack IV vs. George Lemieux will be a brutal race that will get overlooked by most.
On a Friday afternoon phone call with Florida Bloggers, Former Senator George Lemieux reiterated his concerns with GOP rival Connie Mack IV past.
“I believe that we’re operating under a case of mistaken identity that the fourth is the first” referring to Mack’s famous family name.
Lemieux also brought up Mack’s past concerning earmarks, an issue hot off of the national debate stage, where Rick Santorum woke up the “boo birds” Wednesday, defending legislation that included earmarks. He also cited a history of violence with Mack’s past, bringing up incidents involving the Congressman.
“I firmly believe that if he were to win the nomination he would have a very difficult time winning the election. With this 20 year rap sheet Connie Mack couldn’t get a job as a police officer, a teacher, as a bank officer. So, why in the world should we elect him to the United States Senate” Lemieux said on Friday.
When asked if this would come down to Mack’s past vs. Lemieux’s past relationship with former Governor, and Republican turned Independent Charlie Crist, Lemieux said it was about “putting the best players on the field” through a critical vetting process. He also reminded those on the call, that he endorsed current Senator and GOP rising star Marco Rubio, the day after Crist left the party and Mack didn’t do so until several weeks later.
I asked if there were any plans for a formal debate, where both candidates would be on stage at the same time, and so far nothing has been set. Lemieux went on to say he welcomed the opportunity and would discuss these issues “any time and any place”
The one takeaway from the race this week, has been Mack’s silence. I would like to see more aggression from his campaign. He’s been raising dollars and stumping for Mitt Romney but, one sided conversations like these aren’t working now, and they won’t work against Bill Nelson in a general election.
Lemieux launched an aggressive campaign attacking Mack's character this week
Casey Anthony was easily the biggest story out of Orlando last year. The trial of a young mother accused of the death of her 2 year old daughter attracted national attention. Major networks set-up camp outside of the Orange County Courthouse. Reporters found their lives revolving around the case and lived in the first few rows of the courtroom. The country paused as the verdict was read and after Casey Anthony was found not guilty, it incited an anger that had mobs standing outside the courthouse doors. It prompted legislation in Tallahassee to prevent parents from delaying action after their children go missing. The outrage was evident and even long after Anthony was released, the verdict still affects those that were involved today.
The trial made reluctant public figures out of everyone involved. The witnesses, Judge Belvin Perry, and yes, all of the attorneys involved.
One of those attorneys, former prosecutor Jeff Ashton, retired immediately after the trial and wrote a bestseller. He hit all of the national talk shows and went on a event speaking tour. All to promote his book “Imperfect Justice”.
Now, he’s running for office and not just any office, Lawson Lamar’s State Attorney office.
Ashton was burned into every Florida TV last summer, now he's running for State Attorney
Citing that voters need choices and that he sees the office through the eyes of a prosecutor, not a politician like his former boss, Ashton will formally declare for the race tomorrow.The Orlando Sentinel article is here.
His website is up and striking a pose that bunches up his post-prosecutor goatee, and a logo that reminds me of a Republican Party elephant, it appears that Ashton is ready to run.
He says that this race will not be about the Casey Anthony trial but, that’s either coy or naive. I’m going for the former. This is going to be known as the “Casey Anthony” race.
In fact, you can argue that Ashton already has higher name ID than Lawson Lamar. Don’t think so? Walk up to 100 people and ask them. “Do you know who Lawson Lamar is?” “No?”, “Do you know who Jeff Ashton is? “That’s right, the guy who spent 6 hours a day on your TV and got flipped off by a stranger in the gallery”.
In a Presidential election year, the casual voter will pick “The guy who tried to lock up Casey Anthony” over an incumbent, a lot of them won’t remember voting for.
Yes, there is a long way to go until the primary (both candidates are Democrats) but, as much as Ashton will deny it, the Casey Anthony trial will cast a shadow over his campaign.
Both candidates will deny it but, the Casey Anthony trial will play a major part in the race
Casey Anthony was easily the biggest story out of Orlando last year. The trial of a young mother accused of the death of her 2 year old daughter attracted national attention. Major networks set-up camp outside of the Orange County Courthouse. Reporters found their lives revolving around the case and lived in the first few rows of the courtroom. The country paused as the verdict was read and after Casey Anthony was found not guilty, it incited an anger that had mobs standing outside the courthouse doors. It prompted legislation in Tallahassee to prevent parents from delaying action after their children go missing. The outrage was evident and even long after Anthony was released, the verdict still affects those that were involved today.
The trial made reluctant public figures out of everyone involved. The witnesses, Judge Belvin Perry, and yes, all of the attorneys involved.
One of those attorneys, former prosecutor Jeff Ashton, retired immediately after the trial and wrote a bestseller. He hit all of the national talk shows and went on a event speaking tour. All to promote his book “Imperfect Justice”.
Now, he’s running for office and not just any office, Lawson Lamar’s State Attorney office.
Ashton was burned into every Florida TV last summer, now he's running for State Attorney
Citing that voters need choices and that he sees the office through the eyes of a prosecutor, not a politician like his former boss, Ashton will formally declare for the race tomorrow.The Orlando Sentinel article is here.
His website is up and striking a pose that bunches up his post-prosecutor goatee, and a logo that reminds me of a Republican Party elephant, it appears that Ashton is ready to run.
He says that this race will not be about the Casey Anthony trial but, that’s either coy or naive. I’m going for the former. This is going to be known as the “Casey Anthony” race.
In fact, you can argue that Ashton already has higher name ID than Lawson Lamar. Don’t think so? Walk up to 100 people and ask them. “Do you know who Lawson Lamar is?” “No?”, “Do you know who Jeff Ashton is? “That’s right, the guy who spent 6 hours a day on your TV and got flipped off by a stranger in the gallery”.
In a Presidential election year, the casual voter will pick “The guy who tried to lock up Casey Anthony” over an incumbent, a lot of them won’t remember voting for.
Yes, there is a long way to go until the primary (both candidates are Democrats) but, as much as Ashton will deny it, the Casey Anthony trial will cast a shadow over his campaign.
Both candidates will deny it but, the Casey Anthony trial will play a major part in the race
Here we are. Part 2 of the biggest political conflicts in Florida this year. Yesterday, we talked about high speed rail, the occupy movement, and throwing office supplies. Today we’ll continue working our way towards number 1. We’ve got more protesters with hazy and uncertain political goals, The Senate GOP Hopefuls, and neighboring house reps taking shots, in what was one of the more public feuds of 2011′.
6.Republican House Members vs. The Forum Crashers and Walking Dead:
Remember this? (provided by the Orlando Sentinel)
In what might have been the ugliest public conflict of the year. Protesters jumped forums hosted by the Republican House Members to debate the economy. Webster, Adams, West and others would be giving a presentation when the protesters would rush the discussion. Arguments would break out among the attendees. The dialogue and the true purpose of these meanings, the exchange of ideas would completely fall apart.
Dan Webster’s office was even invaded by protesters dressed up as zombies to push their “work until your dead” campaign to promote their disapproval of Social Security reform. High on style, low on substance.
Who Won?:No one wins with political tactics like these and Florida Politics took a step back with each of these incidents.
5. The Gentlemen of the GOP Senate Primary:The only real election action that we had this year (outside of Prez politics) was from the race to take on Bill Nelson for his Senate Seat next year. Former State Majority Leader Adam Hasner, Former Senator George Lemieux, Businessman Mike McCalister, Ruth Chris CEO Craig Miller, would all take turns dissing each other.
George Lemieux is Charlie Crist’s Man
Adam Hasner is too moderate
Craig Miller couldn’t win a Congress seat. What’s he doing in a Senate race?
and of course The Colonel has to use the restroom.
This went on for months and each candidate has had their victories along the trail, taking various straw polls and taking turns at the top of the polls but, then came Connie Mack.
The race changed and all of the other candidates jumped him. Just minutes after his declaration hit the twitterverse, the other candidates shot out their pre-drafted press releases, slamming the representative from the 14th district.
“He spends too much time in California.”
“Career Politician”
“His voting record is liberal”
Who Won? We’ll see next year: For now Mack is the unofficial frontrunner but, you can expect the others to knock him down to size.
Mack shook things up when he entered the Senate Race.
What do you get when the Chairman of the DNC starts talking trash about one of the most popular members of the Republican party, behind his back?
And Colonel West’s timely reply
“Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up.”
Yep…
Who Won? West. No one likes those who talk behind someones back, and int the everyday workplace it’s dishonest and malicious. Capitol Hill is no different. As for their rivalry? Wassermann Schultz hasn’t done it since. It could be because she’s been too busy chasing TV cameras or she’s avoiding him and praying she’ll never have another confrontation like that one again. It’s probably a mixture of both.
Alan West put DWS on notice with his spirited reply.
It’s gonna be hard to top those but, I’ve got your top 3 political feuds of 2011 tomorrow!
Here we are. Part 2 of the biggest political conflicts in Florida this year. Yesterday, we talked about high speed rail, the occupy movement, and throwing office supplies. Today we’ll continue working our way towards number 1. We’ve got more protesters with hazy and uncertain political goals, The Senate GOP Hopefuls, and neighboring house reps taking shots, in what was one of the more public feuds of 2011′.
6.Republican House Members vs. The Forum Crashers and Walking Dead:
Remember this? (provided by the Orlando Sentinel)
In what might have been the ugliest public conflict of the year. Protesters jumped forums hosted by the Republican House Members to debate the economy. Webster, Adams, West and others would be giving a presentation when the protesters would rush the discussion. Arguments would break out among the attendees. The dialogue and the true purpose of these meanings, the exchange of ideas would completely fall apart.
Dan Webster’s office was even invaded by protesters dressed up as zombies to push their “work until your dead” campaign to promote their disapproval of Social Security reform. High on style, low on substance.
Who Won?:No one wins with political tactics like these and Florida Politics took a step back with each of these incidents.
5. The Gentlemen of the GOP Senate Primary:The only real election action that we had this year (outside of Prez politics) was from the race to take on Bill Nelson for his Senate Seat next year. Former State Majority Leader Adam Hasner, Former Senator George Lemieux, Businessman Mike McCalister, Ruth Chris CEO Craig Miller, would all take turns dissing each other.
George Lemieux is Charlie Crist’s Man
Adam Hasner is too moderate
Craig Miller couldn’t win a Congress seat. What’s he doing in a Senate race?
and of course The Colonel has to use the restroom.
This went on for months and each candidate has had their victories along the trail, taking various straw polls and taking turns at the top of the polls but, then came Connie Mack.
The race changed and all of the other candidates jumped him. Just minutes after his declaration hit the twitterverse, the other candidates shot out their pre-drafted press releases, slamming the representative from the 14th district.
“He spends too much time in California.”
“Career Politician”
“His voting record is liberal”
Who Won? We’ll see next year: For now Mack is the unofficial frontrunner but, you can expect the others to knock him down to size.
Mack shook things up when he entered the Senate Race.
What do you get when the Chairman of the DNC starts talking trash about one of the most popular members of the Republican party, behind his back?
And Colonel West’s timely reply
“Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up.”
Yep…
Who Won? West. No one likes those who talk behind someones back, and int the everyday workplace it’s dishonest and malicious. Capitol Hill is no different. As for their rivalry? Wassermann Schultz hasn’t done it since. It could be because she’s been too busy chasing TV cameras or she’s avoiding him and praying she’ll never have another confrontation like that one again. It’s probably a mixture of both.
Alan West put DWS on notice with his spirited reply.
It’s gonna be hard to top those but, I’ve got your top 3 political feuds of 2011 tomorrow!
On Friday, former Senator and Current Candidate for Senate, George Lemieux called in to talk about Washington, his Four Freedoms plan, and Connie Mack.
He didn’t pull any punches and made it clear that he’s the guy to take on Bill Nelson and sending him back to Washington is Florida’s best bet for getting things done.
Senate Candidates have been good to bloggers. This is Senator Lemieux’s 2nd interview with me.
Here we are at two years. This blog and it’s readers have given me the privilege of providing political analysis, opinion, and humor to all of you and it’s been a great time. One on one with the Governor and other candidates for office. Debates on political races from the municipal level to the Presidency and the jokes we’ve gotten from them. An outlet to write about the things I can’t say on television, it’s all be great.
We’re just getting started.
Next year is going to be one of the biggest political years in United States history. You’re not going to be able to avoid it and this is ground zero. This is where it’s all going to go down. Orlando, the heart of the I4 corridor.
This blog will continue to grow and bring you content and opinion that you won’t find anywhere else. Expanding the conversation with more media. Video, audio, and photos that will put you in the middle of the action and provide a political experience that not only informs but entertains (heh) and inspires.
