Congressional Democrats net 1 seat gain in Florida

By Bill Kaczor, Associated Press

November 5, 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Democrats netted at least one congressional seat in Florida by ousting two Republican incumbents Tuesday while one of their own also lost.

Rep. Tim Mahoney, a Palm Beach Gardens Democrat, lost after getting embroiled in an adultery scandal. Two years ago, he replaced Republican Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned after being accused of sending risque Internet messages to male House pages.

Republican Tom Rooney, a Stuart lawyer whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, unseated Mahoney. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, Rooney had 60 percent to 40 percent for Mahoney.

Two GOP incumbents lost in central Florida.

Rep. Tom Feeney of Oviedo, who apologized to his 24th District constituents for his close ties to imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff, lost to former state Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, a New Smyrna Beach Democrat. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted Kosmas had 58 percent while Feeney had 41 percent.

Democrat Alan Grayson, an Orlando businessman and lawyer, defeated Republican Rep. Ric Keller of Orlando. With all the expected vote counted, Grayson had 52 percent to Keller's 48 percent.

Going into Election Day, Republicans held 16 of Florida's 25 U.S. House seats. All GOP-held districts and seven Democratic seats were contested. Two Democrats were re-elected without opposition.

Democrats also targeted two Republican brothers from Miami, one of whom easily won re-election, the other prevailing in a much closer race.

With 97 percent of the expected vote counted, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart had 58 percent to defeat former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, a Democrat, who had 42 percent in the 21st District.

And with 95 percent of the expected vote counted in the 25th District, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart had 53 percent of the vote over Democrat Joe Garcia, a former Florida Public Service Commission chairman, who had 47 percent.

Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan was re-elected in a rematch of 2006's disputed election against Democrat Christine Jennings. Both are from Sarasota. With 100 percent of the expected vote counted Buchanan had 55 percent, Jennings 38 percent in the 13th District.

Two years ago, Jennings, who then had lost by 369 votes, alleged touch screen voting machine malfunctioned. The House rejected her challenge after federal investigators cleared the machines. In the aftermath, though, Florida banned touch screen voting.

This time, Buchanan beat Jennings by nearly 55,000 votes, in a race where about 308,000 were cast.

Florida's only open seat was the 15th District, where Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Palm Bay, did not seek re-election. Republican state Sen. Bill Posey of Rockledge kept the seat in the GOP column. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, Posey had 53 percent while Democrat Stephen Blythe, a Melbourne physician, had 42 percent.

Other incumbents of both parties won re-election.