FL-14, a very republican congressional district, and yet, just might go BLUE!
The candidates: Incumbent Connie Mack(R), Robert Neeld(D), Burt Saunders(NPA), Jeff George(NPA)
So how this time can it go blue? And why don't you hear much about it?
Local Politics.
You see Burt Saunders who is running a No Party Affiliation candidate, is currently a very, very popular republican state senator. Not wanting to run in the primary against Connie Mack he jumped into the GE as an NPA.
Now, last election, was Connie Mack V. Robert Neeld. Mack won with 60.90% and Neeld pulled in 39.03% Last election however Connie Mack spent a total of $973,082. Robert Neeld spent $31,314.
It can be assumed that this difference in spending will happen once again. The only thing different though is, Burt Saunders.
If Neeld can pull near 40% while spending so little, no tv ads, no radio, just signs and speaking. It can be assumed he can pull near that same amount this time around. And instead of Connie Mack pulling near 60, we will have to watch to see how much he will split the republican vote.
Now adding in Jeff George, what will he pull in, that is yet to be determined. He could pull in democratic votes, thus making chance of a dem win slim, or he could pull independent who connie mack.
That is what the dems will need to bank on, they will need to hope Jeff George pulls the I's that they normally don't get, and that Saunders takes a nice chunk of the gop vote. Saunders can do this, he is popular, he known as a republican, and people in this area don't like Connie Mack to much anymore, his dads name got him, but since then he has run off to california with his new wife, and is rarely seen in the 14th district of Florida.
So although I admit the chances of the gop keeping this seat are high, seeing as Connie Mack is well known, and Saunders will caucus with the GOP. Or hey the transparent, open, online super grassroots campaign of Jeff George just might resonate with voters and we could see an upset in FL-14. But, I can still hope. This race will be either a close win for the dems, or a clear sign Connie Mack and the GOP will not be leaving this seat anytime soon.