Today there was a special election in Florida\’s 13th congressional district, due to the death of 21 term incumbent, Republican William Young. It pitted Republican David Jolly against Democrat Alex Sink.
Florida\’s 13th, once pretty solidly Republican, has started trending more Democrat in recent years. This did not affect Mr. Young who, over time, became something of a no-brainer for district voters. But, with him gone, the seat was definitely in play.
President Obama won Florida\’s 13th by a about 2% in 2012.
Both candidates ran, in large part, on their positions regarding ObamaCare. Mr. Jolly advocated repeal. Ms. Sink advocated fixing the problems she acknowledges with ObamaCare and keeping it in place.
Alex Sink is a very well known commodity in Florida State Politics – a former Chief Financial Officer for the state, and its last Gubernatorial candidate. Additionally, reports are that her campaign outspent Jolly\’s on TV advertising by something like 3 to 1. As recently as yesterday, the Washington Post was telling us that she had the edge.
The actual results? David Jolly is now the congressperson from Florida\’s 13th district. He won the district by about 2%…despite a libertarian pulling almost 5% of the vote, most of which would likely have gone to Jolly in a two-person race.
A better known, far better funded Democrat losing in a district that went Democrat two years ago? When the key issue was ObamaCare?
I am waiting to hear Debbie Wasserman Schultz\’s explanation of what happened here. This should be good.
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UPDATE: Here is Debbie Wasserman Schultz\’s statement:
“Republicanspecial interest groups poured in millions to hold onto a Republicancongressional district that they\’ve comfortably held for nearly 60years. Tonight, Republicans fell short of their normal margin inthis district because the agenda they are offering voters has asingular focus – that a majority of voters oppose – repealing theAffordable Care Act that would return us to the same old brokenhealth care system. Whiletonight Democrats didn\’t win, we are proud of Alex and the race sheran based on a vision of opportunity for all and an agenda that wouldgrow the middle class and protect Florida’s families”.
Yeah, sure, Debbie. A Republican political nobody beats the Democrat\’s last Gubernatorial candidate in a district that is trending Democrat, and this is a problem result for…Republicans.
Let me end with by characterizing what Ms. Wasserman Schultz said the way we would have in my old neighborhood: she\’s so full of $#I+ that her eyes are brown.
