FL-District 1, Who's running against Miller?!

I'm looking for help. I want to know who is running in Florida's District 1... out here on the blood red conservative panhandle... nice white sandy beaches though...

I think I heard someone was running, but we can't find info anywhere... If someone has a lead on Miller's opponent, or where we might look, we want to help. Is there a place to call, government office or something?We've got a few guys down here looking for ways to help more locally, and our searches haven't come up with anything. Appreciate the help, now enjoy a poll inspired by tonight's Countdown. Thanks Keith.

•  Joe Roberts

  No real info on him. Here's what the state site has to say

  by RBH on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 06:03:35 PM PDT

  •  Thanks

    Just what I needed. I'll have to give him a call and see what he's about.

    by gregonthe28th on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 06:23:12 PM PDT

•  This seat is a lost cause

  Up until 1994 it was the home of Earl Hutto (D). Hutto retired in 1994, allowing Joe Scarborough to win the seat. The seat is one of the most Republican in the state. Pensacola used to be Dixiecratish and elected Democrats to local office as recently as perhaps the 1980s and the early 1990s. Since then Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rose, and Wakula counties have turned extremely red.

  Hutto probably would have lost in 1994 had he run. This seat is now safely Republican for the forseeable future. Barring a major collapse it will stay that way.

  by jiacinto on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 06:11:14 PM PDT

  •  Long Hard Slog

    I realize it's a complete long shot ice-cube's-chance-in-hell, but if the guy's worth trying for, I'll give it a try

    by gregonthe28th on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 06:24:43 PM PDT

  •  The last elections

    showed Escambia to be a solid purple.  The main importance is the higher population in that county over the rest in district 1.  A dem would still lose, but have the possibility of a decent showing.

    Just sayin.

    -HK
    

    by HK on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 06:50:16 PM PDT

    •  Well

      Escambia County gave Bush 65% of the vote. So it is hardly "purple".

      by jiacinto on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 07:05:33 PM PDT

      •  Hardly

        blood red either.  But I was basing it more on all elections, rather than just the presidential race.  I believe the vote averaged closer to 50-50 when more/all races were averaged in.

        -HK

        by HK on Wed Feb 01, 2006 at 09:28:20 AM PDT

  •  Better chances in Florida

    I have to agree with you.  There are better chances in Florida.  And not just the widely talked about 22 district either.  There are two decent seeming candidates in the 8th district (Orange County Commissioner Homer Hartage and marketing consultant Charlie Stuart who raised over $200,000 as of the close of the third qrt., most from personal contributions) which had one county that Kerry won, and another that Kerry was close in (those would be Orange and Osceola counties).  Heck, for all that everyone is giving it to the GOP the 13th district might be a better opportunity as Bush only won Sarasota county with about 55% (I know he did if you only count him vs. Kerry).  

    Do you have any idea what the make-up of the open seat in 9 is?  Because there is at least one Democrat who has gotten elected before running in ex-Hillsborough County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky.  And who looks good in the primary for the 11th?  From this outsiders perspective it appears to be Kathy Castor vs. State Senator Les Miller but I am not a native and don't live there.

    by Mister Gloom on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 07:26:12 PM PDT

•  Another thing

  My point of this is to try to run an unconventional campaign. I have no idea if this candidate will be up to the task but I foresee a campaign that is run in the bars, the beaches, anything unconventional. There are a lot of young people down here that I presume never vote or if they do, vote like their parents. I want to start to break down that parental and conservative cabal. I have a feeling that Miller never has spoke out publicly against out President about the troops lack of armor. We will talk about that. And many more things. My main goal is to present an alternative in the most conservative of districts to show how a democrat campaign can be run. I will appraise you of our candidates response and if he's worthy, will ask your help.

  by gregonthe28th on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 06:40:15 PM PDT

  •  I used to live in P'cola

    Isn't Jeff Miller a former Clinton Democrat? I vaguely remember the 2001 campaign against Steve Brieze and the irony that Miller was a former Democrat running as a Republican and Brieze was a former Republican running as a Democrat.

    by internik on Tue Jan 31, 2006 at 07:14:52 PM PDT

•  FL 1

  JOE ROBERTS AND MARK COUTU ARE RUNNING

  by BENAWU on Wed Feb 01, 2006 at 05:54:56 PM PDT