Friday, January 05, 2007

FL-13 is not the only contested seat in Florida

**Update: Bradenton Herald tell Jennings: "Time to move on"

"Christine Jennings has made her point. It's time to accept the outcome and
move on."


*********************
As Congress opened yesterday, three Florida Democratic candidates asked the House administration committee to investigate their losses (one other Democrat from Louisiana is also asking for an investigation). While much has been written - here and elsewhere - about the FL-13 debacle, little has been reported from the other two races.

The three Democrats that are petitioning Congress are: Christine Jennings, who lost to Vern Buchanan; John Russell, who lost to Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Brooksville); and Clint Curtis, who lost to Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Oviedo).

Few are giving the appeals any chance of success:
Since 1993, about 105 such cases have been sent to committee but only a
handful have made it to the full House for a vote. Usually the committee
dismisses the case, though it could recommend to the full House that it order a
new recount or new vote. (The Buzz)

Including these three races, a total of six Florida Congressional races are being challanged:

Besides Buchanan, the Nov. 7 triumphs of Republican Reps. Virginia "Ginny"
Brown-Waite, of Brooksville; Ander Crenshaw, of Jacksonville; Gus Bilirakis, of
Tarpon Springs; Lincoln Diaz-Balart, of Miami; and Tom Feeney, of Oviedo are
being disputed in state court by losing Democratic opponents or voters.


Despite news of these other races, Rep. Vern Buchanan and the FL-13 debate remain the most visible - and the prime target of Congressional Dems: Dems put freshman lawmaker on notice (Orlando Sentinel), Buchanan Takes Oath, but Dispute Isn't Over (Tampa Trib), Sarasota congressman is sworn in - but not quietly (Miami Herald), Buchanan seated amid dessent (Bradenton Herald).

See yesterday's post: FL-13 Update: Buchanan takes his seat

Related story: Go to Peer Review FL to catch-up on the Feeney trip payment issue.

No comments: