Scott Harris, Florida Decides
There are half a dozen congressional races in Florida where seats could change hands in November. Two of them are in Central Florida and top our Top 13 races to watch.
1. District 8
District 8 runs from Orlando, through Celebration and up through Lake County to Ocala. Incumbent Republican Ric Keller is being challenged by Alan Grayson, who won a five way Democratic primary.
2. District 24
District 24 covers parts of four counties -- Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard. Oviedo Republican Tom Feeney holds the seat, and has since it was first created in 2002. His challenger this time is Suzanne Kosmas, a former state lawmaker from Port Orange. Both sides have a lot of money to spend on both these races, and they are both on the national radar for the political parties, too. Expect to see a lot of ads and probably a lot of controversy.
3. State Senate District 19
State Senate District 19 is a so-called minority district that is mostly in Orange, but also covers a section of Osceola County.
Democrats outnumber Republicans almost 3-1 here. But perhaps more interestingly, the district breaks down 29 percent Black, and 25 percent Hispanic.
Democratic incumbent Gary Siplin is being challenged by Republican Belinda Ortiz. Don't be surprised to see a lot of money spent here, too. Outside groups connected to Republican interests reportedly spent over $1 million during the Democratic Primary.
4. House District 32
We'll also be watching House District 32 in north Brevard and east Orange County.
Democrat Tony Sasso won the seat in a special election after Rep. Bob Allen resigned. However, the Republicans want it back badly, and it is a Republican district. Steve Crisafulli is their nominee.
5. District 9 State Attorney
It's a two county race -- Orange and Osceola -- for District 9 State Attorney.
Democrat Lawson Lamar has been in office for 20 years, and served eight years as Orange County Sheriff before that. He's had no real challenges, but Republican Mercedes Leon is running against him this year, and the Republicans have also been trying to capitalize on Hispanic voters.
But State Attorney John Tanner in Volusia and Flagler counties has already lost office in the primary election.
6. Orange County Sheriff
The Orange County race between former Orlando Police Chief Jerry Demings, and 27-year sheriff's office veteran John Tegg could well be the most watched race in all of Central Florida. Kevin Beary is retiring after 16 years, after a reign sometimes controversial, sometimes dramatic, and always, it seems, in the news.
7. Brevard County Sheriff
Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker, who was first elected four years ago, is being challenged by a 25-year veteran of the sheriff's office Gary Young.
8. Flagler County Sheriff
In Flagler County, current Sheriff Don Fleming, who was elected four years ago, is being challenged by the previous sheriff James Manfre, who served as Flagler's top cop from 2001 to 2004.
There’s a non-party Affiliation candidate, Ray Stevens running for the spot. He too has spent a long time in law enforcement.
9. Orange County School District 7
Orange County District 7 pits Christine Moore Curtis against Laura Keller for the seat being vacated by Jim Martin.
10. Lake County School District 2 and 4
In Lake County, there is a pair of school board runoffs. District 2 pits Rosanne Brandenburg against Jim Richardson. In District 4, it’s Coranelle Glass against Debbie Stivender, the former county commissioner whose seat was won in August by Jimmy Conner, who just left the seat on the school board.
11. Brevard Property Appraiser
Brevard County Property Appraiser is another one of our Top 13. Embattle incumbent Jim Ford survived a four way Republican primary in August. He now faces Democrat Larry Hughes.
12. Statewide Amendment 2
Statewide Amendment 2 is titled the Marriage Protection Amendment. But what it really does is outlaw constitutionally, same-sex marriages, which are already outlawed in Florida statute.
This is one of those hot issues that will likely generate a lot of "interesting" political ads on both sides.
13. Deltona Police Department
Citizens in Deltona are being asked if they want to form their own police department. Deltona has contracted with the sheriff's office for law enforcement ever since it was founded more than a dozen years ago.
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