A Small DEM Victory in Florida Tonite

In a special election to replace Republican Bob Allen, who resigned in the wake of his conviction for soliciting an undercover male police officer in a local park, the Democrats have gained a seat in the Florida House of Represenatives.

Tony Sasso has won the special election by approximately 400 votes in a traditionally Republican district that includes Cape Canaveral and vicinity and parts of western Orange County.

The county has a Republican registration advantage of 10 percentage points and was a stronghold of Bush support in 2000 and 2004.

This continues a streak of Democratic victories, including 6 in the 2006 general election. We have a long way to go before we can take back the Florida house. The current balance is 77 Republicans, 43 Democrats. But success in this very Republican district, especially in a special election where Republicans have traditionally dominated, can offer another glimmer of hope to the Florida Democratic Party.