Hudson takes House District 101

Matt Hudson, a Realtor from Naples, has won the House District 101 race against Democrat Linda McDonald, according to unofficial results.

Hudson will replace fellow Republican Mike Davis, who died from cancer on Sept. 12 at age 60.

Democrats considered the seat competitive as they were successful in recent city elections. Party chairwoman Karen Thurman made a fundraising appeal last week under the headline The times they are a-changin'. "Even in one of the most conservative parts of the state - the Southwest coast - the people are choosing Democrats to lead," she wrote.

But unofficial results showed Hudson with a sizable lead all night, thanks to Collier County. McDonald beat Hudson in Broward but turnout there was weak.

Comments

These are absentee and early vote numbers from Collier. Linda McDonald is doing great to get 32% of those. If she is going to win, she will do it based on election-day results from Collier and overall results from Broward.

Oh yeah, she is doing great trailing behind. Keep up the good work!!

Looks like from the Supervisor site, it is those reliable Democratic voters in Broward who did not show up.

great. another drunk at the state capital. watch out drivers, hudson's coming to town.

[Gene Smith]

3.5% voter turnout in Broward? Are you kidding me?

That's pathetic.

Broward is where all the democrats live

Hey 9:02 AKA Eric - you still haven't gotten up all your signs. Get to work, pal!

Congratulations Matt Hudson

What a poor turnout.

Linda did pull more of the vote than expected in Collier...Broward was abismal.

Great, another realtor turned politician in Floriduuuuh!

"It's all about the people... oh, and the land underneath their feet."

Southwestern Broward County is a political wasteland right now.

It is filled with people who are totally disconnected with Broward County politics and make their living from Miami-Dade County. It is a bedroom community with more foreclosures than you can shake a stick at.

The power brokers in Broward don't even know what to do in that area and the electorate is more concerned with what is going on in Miami-Dade than they are in what is going on in Broward.

The politicians and players in Broward look at Southwestern Broward with a Jaundiced eye hoping and praying that the masses out there do not wake up and start voting -- because they know the area is teaming with Republicans.

The broward part of the district has lots of folks who would be democrats if they were citizens and could register...

[Bill]

Yeah, the Democratic Party (both state and Broward) really demonstrated their ability to turn out voters....3% in Broward.

The Party always talks big BUT NEVER DELIVERS.

What do the realtors have to gain from spending all of that money?

Matt Hudson will make a great Rep.
Congrats!

This is a loss for Franklin Sands, the incoming House Democratic leader who hails from western Broward County. You would think that he would have sunk the money into picking up a seat adjacent to his. But the turnout numbers suggest that he did not. Blown opportunity, Frank.

[mike]

Another politican bought and paid for by the Realtors Association.

Ahh, its nice to see that democracy still works in America.

If Broward turns out as much as Collier (10.4%), Linda wins last night.

Broward's turnout will be much better for the general election in November 2008 when a presidential contest draws voters out. Linda should run again then. With that much improved turnout, plus what I'm sure will be some bad Hudson votes in 2008, his term as a House member will be short.

Matt is a great person. He is involved in his community and cares about the real estate situation.

Why do you have to slam a good person before they even get in office to show what they can do?

Low life D's who are so disgusting in their political approach that nasty is their middle name.

Congratulations Matt. No help us do the right thing and get the property taxes down.

[Chris Brudy]

Pathetic turnouts indeed, Gene. What could be some of the reasons?

Democrats are worthless

Now Bob Allen will decide to stay in the House so he can get to know Matt better. Stay OUT of the Men's Room in Tallahassee, Matt (unless you need $20).

The numbers tell all. The D's are all show and no go. Broward was supposed be the stronghold, especially in Pembroke Pines. Less than 4% turnout...thats just sad.

This race was an awful showng for D's. And, what I can't figure out is why everyone is bashing the special interests here. You want all the same things they do. High property values and lower taxes. Attack them again and show your ignorance.

I love how people on here write a tone thats makes it seem that they could run and somehow do better without the money form SI. We're all the same we just drink from opposite sides of the cup. It just so happens yours comes with blinders , oh, and higher taxes, and more services, and more complaining!

Linda was funded by Trial Lawyers and Union Thugs... I'll take the Realtors...

Let me get this straight... The Dems are bragging about losing by 12 points?!?! They are fools. The registration in the district is 41% Republican, 33% Democrat. So at 56% of the vote Matt got 15% more than the R registration… at 44% of the vote Linda got 11% more than the D registration. How can the Democrats be excited about this?