Florida's 19th congressional district special election, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 special election for Florida's 19th congressional district took place on April 13, 2010, to fill the vacancy caused by Representative Robert Wexler
's resignation, effective the evening of January 3, 2010, from the United States House of Representatives
. Wexler, who had represented the since 1997, left Congress to become president of the Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation.
Governor Charlie Crist
on November 4, 2009 set the primary for February 2 and the general election for April 13, 2010 (rescheduled from April 6 to avoid Passover
). Democrat Ted Deutch won the Special Election with 62%, with Republican Edward Lynch received 35%. This was the first election since the passage of the Healthcare reform bill. This district leans strongly Democratic with a Cook PVI of D+15.
The Republican primary was more closely fought. Lynch and Budd attacked each other over debts owed by their respective businesses, and all three vied to get the tea-party movement's backing. Both Budd and Price said they would not support Lynch in the general election if he won the primary due to the back taxes owed on his business. The result was extremely close, with Lynch defeating Budd by 46 votes.
Robert Wexler
Robert Wexler is the president of the Washington-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace.Wexler was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing , from 1997 until his resignation on January 3, 2010.-Early life:Wexler was born in Queens, New York to Sonny and...
's resignation, effective the evening of January 3, 2010, from the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. Wexler, who had represented the since 1997, left Congress to become president of the Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation.
Governor Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
on November 4, 2009 set the primary for February 2 and the general election for April 13, 2010 (rescheduled from April 6 to avoid Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
). Democrat Ted Deutch won the Special Election with 62%, with Republican Edward Lynch received 35%. This was the first election since the passage of the Healthcare reform bill. This district leans strongly Democratic with a Cook PVI of D+15.
Democrats
- Ted DeutchTed DeutchTheodore E. "Ted" Deutch is the U.S. Representative for , serving since April 15, 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the Florida Senate.- Early life, education, and law career:...
, State Senator - Ben Graber, former Broward County Commissioner
Republicans
- Edward J. LynchEdward J. LynchEdward J. "Ed" Lynch, Sr. is an American politician and two-time Republican Party candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Florida's 19th congressional district....
, entrepreneur - Joe Budd, financial planner
- Curt Price, retired police officer
Primary campaign
The primary, held on February 2, received little media attention. Democratic State Senator Ted Deutch, who was endorsed by Wexler, won the Democratic Primary. Deutch raised more money than any other candidate, close to one million dollars. While Graber, in his 2008 primary challenge to Congressman Wexler, vocally attacked his opponent, the Democratic Primary this time remained more toned down. Graber argued that he was the most liberal candidate; while Deutch highlighted his accomplishments as State Senator.The Republican primary was more closely fought. Lynch and Budd attacked each other over debts owed by their respective businesses, and all three vied to get the tea-party movement's backing. Both Budd and Price said they would not support Lynch in the general election if he won the primary due to the back taxes owed on his business. The result was extremely close, with Lynch defeating Budd by 46 votes.