Ds pick up Tampa Bay seats

Statewide, looks like Democrats may pick up as many as seven state House seats (Dan Gelber and Steve Schale must be smiling wide), and they'll break even on senate seats - Justice beating Berfield in SD 16 and Republican Oelrich beating Democrat Jennings in Rod Smith's SD 14.

Bill Heller comfortably beat Angelo Cappelli in HD 52; Janet Long narrowly beat Dottie Reeder in HD 51. In the Bradenton area HD 69, Democrat Keith Fitzgerald is barely leading Republican Laura Benson; In Orange County's HD 36, Democrat Scott Randolph unseated Republican Sherri McInvale; in Broward's District 97, Democrat Martin Kiar beat Republican Susan Goldstein; in Miami's 107, looks like Democrat Luis Garcia will take Gus Barreiro's seat, and in the Keys Democrat Ron Saunders won HD 120.

That's the first time Democrats have picked up state House seats in 16 years and their biggest gain in nearly 30 years.

Comments

Someone should be lost because of this--- it is less than flattering leadership if you ask me.

Give the Dems their credit. A seven seat pick-up in a year where you lose 3 of 4 statewide cabinet races is incredible. They got outspent, but they definitely ran better and more creative campaigns. I too am looking forward to a little more balanced Florida House.

Everyone knows what happend: Rubio gave the reigns to Sansom. Sansom gave the reigns to Helmick. Terraferma was banished to the Majority Office policy-land. Duh!

How about the Republican operation in the Senate?

Everyone has low expecations for Geller. But Pruitt (his "daddy" as someone mentioned)?

1:17--I might take a different approach. Gelber took a page out of the R handbook, organized a credible operation and went out and won seats. Did it help that the R's were a little disjointed? Sure, but they still got outspent by a ridiculous margin and had to run uphill against a Crist win. Give the night to those guys.

It's official. Pinellas is deep, dark, BLUE.

Everyone saw the Jennings loss coming. Why didn't Geller recruit a stronger candidate?

Was he afraid of a backlash in the Black caucus?

What about Pruitt? That guy picked up one and kept his body even. In this climate he converted a seat. Sure it was a neutral gain but give Pruitt some kudos for running one heck of a lean operation.

Crist beat a very weak candidate. Not sure he would have done the same to Rod Smith or another moderate Democrat.

I give Gelber nothing! I'll kick his ass on the basketball court when we play next.

Jennings was the only one who could win a "D" primary.

I am so sick of hearing about Rod Smith. He had his big prosecutor moment during the debate, and choked. I was embarrassed for the guy.

He cast plenty of votes that would have been issues in the general (fueled by those millions of dollars in insurance industry money).

I'm so sick of hearing about house campaigns. Big deal, they dropped the ball. Let's pick it up and shove it in the dems #^$^&!!!!

Jim Davis had no appeal to conservative swing voters. Southern Democrats need a reason to vote your way.

Jim Davis had no appeal to conservative swing voters. Southern Democrats need a reason to vote your way.

Gelber intervened in primaries to get the best candidates. Geller should have done the same.

The ONLY good thing about Geller not picking up any seats is we don't have to hear him gloat for years to come.

Rob Smith is too ugly to ever be elected state-wide. Uglier than Skip Campbell.

There. I said what a lot of people on these message boards are thinking.

Gelber V. Pruitt
Was there any doubts?

The Skipper's campaign was lame, even by Democrat standards.

What about Bronson? He's donkey ass ugly and he got elected somehow.

What is a Democrat standard? I've never heard of one! You?

Here is a serious look at what happened in the Florida House.

1. This was a bad republican year. Crist outspent his opponent by more than anyone ver has and still did worse than Jeb in either of his two elections.

2. The D's picked up a cabinet seat and unseated two Republicans in Congress.

3. The Senate lost the Berfield race and the only reason they won Oelrich is because his opponent was African-American (therefore white democrats crossed over) and because Oelrich transcends partisanship.

4. Now lets look at the seats lost:
- 120, a traditional Democratic seat (it is the Keys for God's sake) held by the R's only because of Sorenson.
- 107 because Frank Carollo is a polarizing figure
- Goldstein loses a seat she should have never won (remeber this was Nan Rich's seat.
- McInvale is not a real loss she was a switch. She was never elected as a Republican.
- Reeder loses in Pinellas (just like Berfield)
- Capelli loses after being stabbed in the back by Crist.
- Laura Benson loses under the cloud of that ugly congressional race in Sarasota.

Which one of those seats should the R's have won hands down? Maybe 107 if Robert Fernandez had won the primary.

As for the leadership, their job is to raise money, and they did. They spent a ton of cash on these races. This could have been a lot worse (ie. Cretul, Quinones etc.)

A coup on Rubio is silly talk . By who? For what?

The bottom line is that 78 votes is not much different than 84. Tom Feeney only had 77, did he look weak to you? Thrasher only had 72, was he weak.

85 members was way too many. This is in many ways a blessing in disguise. A much needed purging of bad seats the R's didn't need and shouldnt want.

1:49 - Now that's some spin. You writing from rehab? A bad Republican year? Not in Florida. All but one cabinet position. The House picked up seats because they just plain out-worked and out strategized the R's. Hard to accept for you, I know. But get used to it.

Pruitt did a great job tonight. His team of Webster, Atwater, Fasano, Alexander and Haridopolos. Showed the House Trio how a caucus works for the members.

Pruitt's raising $12 million didn't hurt either

Outstrategize? Have you ever been involved in a house race, not much strategy. Walk door to door. It is not just me saying this however, read below and pay attention to the highlighted words:
Democrats halt GOP House win streak, Senate unchanged

By DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Democrats hoped to begin a comeback in the Republican-led state House with several wins Tuesday, taking back at least five seats for their first net gain after more than 10 years of seeing their numbers dwindle.

But Republicans in the state Senate bucked what appeared to be a national Democratic wave, losing one seat but winning one that had been in Democratic hands to keep the same 26-14 majority they had going into Election Day.

Democratic officials said they expected to have their largest gain in seats in the House in 30 years. But even with that, Republican dominance wasn't in danger there either: Republicans held an 85-35 advantage in the House going into the election.

The House Democrats appeared to ride a wave of anti-war and anti-incumbent malaise that was carrying their party nationally, but also said they had the best stable of candidates in years and a message that spoke to restless voters upset about high home insurance costs and the state of education.

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"Democrats are talking about a message that voters want to hear," said the House Democratic leader, Rep. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach. "The House will be closer in step with Floridians."

Democrats unseated a House Republican in Orlando and one in Broward County and took an open seat in the Tampa Bay area that had been in GOP hands. They also won Republican-held seats in Miami and the Keys and were on the verge of picking up another seat in St. Petersburg.

One of the ousted incumbents was Rep. Sheri McInvale of Orlando, a former Democrat who switched to the GOP last year. She lost to Democratic environmental lobbyist Scott Randolph 64 percent to 36 percent.

The other was Rep. Susan Goldstein, R-Weston, a Republican in heavily Democratic Broward County. She lost to Democrat Martin Kiar, 53 percent to 47 percent.

In Pinellas County, Democrat Bill Heller defeated Republican Angelo Cappelli 54 percent to 46 percent, winning an open seat that had been held by Republican Rep. Frank Farkas. He ran unsuccessfully for the Senate.

Other Democrats who won formerly Republican seats included former state Rep. Ron Saunders of Key West and Luis Garcia in the Miami area.

Republicans, however, took a Senate seat that had been held by Democrat Rod Smith of Alachua, who ran unsuccessfully for governor.

Alachua County Sheriff Steve Oelrich captured the seat for the GOP, defeating Rep. Ed Jennings, D-Gainesville, 55 percent to 45 percent.

But Oelrich said he would appeal to voters from both parties, noting he comes from a county that's overwhelmingly Democratic and his supporters know him as a bipartisan.

"I've had to have the crossover voters, as opposed to those who just vote the party," Oelrich said.

In the St. Petersburg area, Republicans lost a Senate seat when Rep. Kim Berfield, R-Clearwater, conceded to Rep. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, after one of the fiercest battles of the election. Justice replaces retiring Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg.

Republicans narrowly held on to a Senate seat that Democrats had targeted when voters in the Tampa Bay area sent Ronda Storms to Tallahassee. The outspoken former Hillsborough County commissioner defeated Democrat Stephen Gorham 52 percent to 48 percent.

Incoming Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, credited outgoing Gov. Jeb Bush with helping GOP candidates here hold off the Democratic surge. Bush's popularity in the state insulated candidates from what Pruitt said was a volatile climate nationally for Republicans.

Pruitt easily won re-election against Democratic challenger Stan Smilan.

One Republican candidate who wasn't on the ballot appeared headed for the Legislature. Will Weatherford was the replacement candidate for Republican nominee Ken Littlefield, who dropped out when he was appointed to the Public Service Commission. Littlefield's name was still on the ballot, though, and he was leading Democrat Donovan Brown in early returns.

Because of the power of the incumbency and the way districts are drawn to favor one party or the other, most seats by far in the House and Senate aren't competitive, and many didn't even draw a candidate from the other party.

Gelber said the Republican dominance has made it even harder for Democrats to compete, making their win ever better. Democrats were outspent, and they won in districts whose boundaries were drawn by Republicans, he noted.

Among those without opposition on the ballot Tuesday was Rep. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, who will become speaker of the House, assuming Republicans keep control of the House. He will be the first Cuban-American speaker.

The governor's mansion also stayed in Republican hands: Charlie Crist defeated Democrat Jim Davis. Bush couldn't run again due to term limits.

The House trio raised $12 million as well but instead of spending it on three races, they had to spend it on 12.

But in two weeks we will see which chamber has more stability.

Faron Boggs quit posting on the blog. Your kids are tired and want to go to bed.

Here is more evidence on why Goldstein lost. Jim Scott was beaten for goodness sake!

Incumbents sent packing in Broward

Democrats took the county lead on an Election Day that ended with few reported problems.

By David Fleshler, Buddy Nevins and Robert Nolin
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted November 8 2006

Broward County became a grim place for Republicans on Tuesday, as voters ejected the party's incumbents from the Florida House, County Commission and Congress.

Leading the list was U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, of Fort Lauderdale, dean of Florida's congressional delegation, who lost to Democratic state Sen. Ron Klein. Voters also turned out County Commissioner Jim Scott and state Rep. Susan Goldstein.

LocalLinks

Republicans are heavily outnumbered in Broward, holding sway only in a few wealthy enclaves along the beach and in some suburbs. They faced a particularly difficult road this year because of the unpopularity of President Bush. Several people said they voted the straight Democratic line -- from U.S. senator to agriculture commissioner to state representative -- as a protest against the president.

"I'm not keen on Republican government," said Suzanne Ackel, after voting at Croissant Park Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale. "I believe we should never have gone to Iraq. I believe we were misled. They knew there were no weapons of mass destruction."

Broward Democratic Chairman Mitch Ceasar attributed the Republican losses in Broward to anger at the national party.

"I think all the local Republicans are bearing the brunt of the miscues in Washington," he said. "The Republican Party in the last few years has tried to portray itself as the party of family values, and I think voters have realized they're anything but. I think voters feel angry, and frankly, even Republicans feel betrayed."

Sharon Day, Florida's Republican national committeewoman, said the party's losses had little to do with national politics.

"These are local races. They are individual races," said Day, of Fort Lauderdale. "They have their own issues."

Scott, a former Senate president whose stature provided the county with a pipeline to the heavily Republican Legislature, lost to attorney Ken Keechl, of Fort Lauderdale, long active in Democratic politics and the gay community. The election leaves Broward with a solidly Democratic county commission.

Goldstein faced a difficult fight from the start in her west Broward district, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. She was beaten by Davie lawyer Martin Kiar.

During the day, voters reported several problems with malfunctioning machines, mixed-up addresses and wrong ballots.

At the Deerfield Beach Teen Center on Powerline Road, voting was delayed for two hours after workers started machines improperly, said Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes.

The Election Protection Coalition, a watchdog group, said as many as 75 people were turned away from the Deerfield poll.

The group unsuccessfully requested that Snipes ask Gov. Jeb Bush to hold the poll open past 7 p.m.

"It was devastating for some people who were turned away," said Elliot Mincberg, the group's Florida legal director.

Walter "Skip" Campbell, the Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general, said he received at least 100 reports that his race was left off the ballot at some polling places, along with those for chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner.

"Do I think there's anybody that's doing it? No, I don't," he said.

"I just think it's a flaw in the system. I think next election, we need to look at this electronic voting ... and say, `Is there something wrong with the machines or is there something wrong with the way people vote?'"

Snipes said the election had just a few minor problems.

In addition to the Deerfield Beach delay, two precincts in Fort Lauderdale -- R116 and R118 -- had voting machine problems and opened about a half hour late.

"I've been getting feedback from voters -- e-mails and calls. They are pleased and so am I that things have gone so well," she said.

Snipes said the attorney general's race was not left off any ballots. She attributed the complaints to voter "confusion" from the long ballot.

One of the few bright spots for Republicans was the narrow victory of state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, over Democrat Christian Chiari.

Broward Republican Chairman Shane Strum said the party still had good people in place, particularly on city commissions.

He attributed the party's losses to an "anti-incumbent," rather than an anti-Republican, mood. He said the party would focus on winning seats in next year's city elections.

"It's always a battle when you're a Republican in Broward County," he said. "We have a real fight on our hands. We have some rebuilding and some work to do."

Rubio and Sansom can spin it all they want we whipped um. It's the first time since 1982 R's have lost House seats. How sweet it is. I think Marco is now saying to Gelber "thank you sir, may I have another"

Marco cute little butt got spanked tonight. Gelber is a force that can't be ignored next year. We still may win HD83

1:56 - Give me a break, within a month or two Pruitt will be in jail and Fasano will be living openly with Foley.

If Rubio spent $1 million on each of the 12 house seats and lost 7-8 seats, this is a bigger failure than I thought. Who will hold Corcoran and Helmich accountable.

2:05

Don't lash out a Pruitt just because you're bitter over the House's performance tonight. Check yourself into the anger management clinic.

The results are the results. Not a good year for Marco and Co. But no reason to kick dirt on Pruitt. You ought to be happy at the Senate's success.

1. Marco and Pruitt are not rivals.

2. Gelber is going to be a force? With 42 votes? Give him Planas and Llorente as a gift, with 44 votes? How does he get to 61??

3. Gelber has problems in his own caucus. Just watch!

Rod loses his race and gives his seat to a R. He is a bigger disappointment than Davis by far. He should have run for AG and at least we would have two cabinet positions.

Fire Joel Springer and Bill Helmich NOW! They both destroyed the RPOF.

bye Kim and paid crew, guess we did win afterall! Good luck at that part time gig you got.

The impact of national sentiment had a big effect in Florida,, see the Sun-Sentinel article posted above about Broward. According to the national media "History worked against the GOP, too. Since World War II, the party in control of the White House has lost an average 31 House seats and six Senate seats in the second midterm election of a president's tenure in office." So much for a smashing rebuke, this was just history repeating itself. The real stories are areas where R candidates swam against the tide.

Some incredible spin here. I will admit that Rubio is cute.

At the end of the day, the Republicans control the executive branch, the cabinet, the House and the Senate. Why all of this consternation over a few House seats and a cabinet post? Yes, the R's spent some $ on a few House races that didn't go their way. So what? It has NO BEARING on the policy direction of the Florida Legislature, particularly in the House.

I'm reading about how the D's kicked the R's butts; however, you need to do the math - the R's have the numbers.

NOTHING in Florida's legislative landscape has changed from yesterday. What's all the discussion about?

The only really interesting political news is at the national level.

Does Ed Helm get to claim victory?

Problems among members of D house caucus? what? arguing over lunch choices in the minority office?

nice try. they will be far more unified and energized than anytime in last decade.

obviously, they are still in the minority. no one is saying gelber is becoming speaker. at least not the 20 papers in which he's quoted this morning.

just that there will be a major shift from last 8 years in tallahassee -- no jeb, the villalobos/dade gop delegation unifying post-arza, sink on cabinet, amiable and pliable crist, more confident dems, a few Rs who survicved near death, etc.

thank goodness.

To whoever said 85 GOPs is too much and 78 is fine for Marco....do that math....with 80, he has the 2/3 necessary to waive the rules. With 78, he would need D approval for that kind of stuff.

Bottom line, Marco Rubio did not have a good night.

Sansom ran the show, not Marco. Oust Sansom! Bring in Galvano! Fire Helmich and his lackey Boggs! Bring in Terraferma!

is that you, JC?

Word has it the Galvano/Planas/Llorente camp made their peace with Sansom. More than likely this is coming from one of the 7 members or future members who lost their GOP seats. This is what McInvale gets for switching parties. Worked out great. This is what Goldstein gets for wearing those ugly-ass outfits every day.

Is that you, Frank Carollo?

So now your telling me Marco will be throwing Sansom under the bus? Is Arza's body even out of the way? It's always someone else's fault?

this is what happens when arrogance exceeds ability. another by-product of term limits. so sad. so very, very sad.

Memo to Helmich and Boggs:

1.You got your asses handed to you.
2.Get your resumes updated.
3.Blame the national environment.
4.Call Steven Schale and admit you got beat.

Steve Schale's a punk.