Florida: Deutch Will Move From State Senate to Congress
As expected, Democrat Ted Deutch cruised to victory in the special election to fill the seat of former Rep. Robert Wexler (D).
In unofficial returns, election officials said Deutch won 62 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election while Republican Edward Lynch won 35 percent.
The district has a strong Democratic Party lean; it gave President Barack Obama 66 percent of the vote in 2008.
Deutch, a state Senator, earned Wexler’s endorsement soon after the former Congressman announced in October that he would step down.
Grayson Raises Over $800,000 in 1st Quarter
Freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D) said his campaign raised $803,000 in the first three months of the year.
Grayson’s fundraising was significantly boosted by an online “moneybomb” event in late March that raised $500,000.
Grayson has become a top target of national Republicans this cycle.
After several recruiting misses, the NRCC convinced Orlando businessman Bruce O’Donoghue to take on Grayson.
O’Donoghue faces a crowded primary field that includes state Rep. Kurt Kelly and attorney and conservative activist Todd Long.
Miller Shows $340,000 in Receipts in 44 Days
Republican Craig Miller will report more than $340,000 in receipts in less than two months of fundraising for his effort to knock off freshman Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D).
Miller, the former CEO of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, wrote himself a check for $210,000 of that total.
“It’s my way of saying, I’m in it to win it,'” Miller said in a written statement. “It is not my intention to finance the entire campaign, but I do believe enough in this endeavor to at least begin to level the playing field.”
Miller’s release said he had $310,000 in the bank as of April 1.
The Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday that Kosmas raised $260,000 and went into April with $1 million banked for the race.
Before Miller can take on Kosmas, he will have to fight his way through a crowded primary against state Rep. Sandy Adams, Winter Park County Commissioner Karen Diebel, veteran Tom Garcia, building contractor Ed Dedelow and a half-dozen other Republican candidates.
