Even with the gubernatorial race topping the Florida election bill in 2014, for political observers, some down-ballot races in Broward County are beginning to look intriguing and competitive. Three on the House side in particular are turning some heads -- HD 93, HD 99, HD 100.
As the 2013 legislative session moves into its final weeks, here is a look at each of them at this point:
HD 93
First elected to the House in 2010, Navy veteran and attorney Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, could be facing a Democratic challenger with deep pockets but not much in the way of political success. Scott Herman, an Army veteran who served in the first Gulf War, is running against Moraitis as a Democrat.
Herman recently switched parties after being the Republican nominee who came up short against House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston in 2012. After pulling 16 percent against Thurston, Herman insisted Republicans did little to help his campaign and have stood in the path of other gay politicians. After switching parties, Herman quickly jumped in against Moraitis.
While Moraitis starts off as a favorite, this could be an interesting race. The Republican incumbent took 55 percent against Democrat Gerri Ann Capotosto in 2012, but he spent almost $252,000 while his challenger spent less than $9,000. Despite Moraitis win in 2012, this is a swing district where Republicans have only a 3 percent edge over Democrats in terms of registered voters. Rick Scott beat Alex Sink here by 3 percent in 2010.
In the first quarter of 2013, Herman showed that he intends to spend more than Capotosto did against Moraitis last time. While he only raised $240, Herman has loaned his campaign more than $26,500 since entering the race on March 11. Prohibited from raising funds while the Legislature is in session, Moraitis raised $12,000 in February and loaned his campaign $500.
While he was able to outspend his opponent by more than 25-1 in 2012, Moraitis won by only 10 percent in 2012. He clearly wont have the luxury of sitting on that kind of financial advantage this time out, though he should have the edge if Herman is his Democratic opponent.
HD 99
Rep. Elaine Schwartz, one of the leading liberal Democrats in the House, is facing term limits in 2014 and two candidates have already emerged to replace her.
Former Rep. Evan Jenne is looking to return to the Florida House and hopes to cash in on his family legacy. His father, Ken Jenne, was politically active for 30 years, serving on the Broward County Commission, two decades in the Florida Senate and another decade as Broward County sheriff.
Neither is Evan Jenne any political newbie. While still in his late 20s, he won a Florida House seat in 2006, which he gave up in 2012 to seek a seat on the Broward County Commission. But he dropped out of that race, saying he wanted to go into the private sector and quickly turned around to run for the Florida House again. After entering the race on Jan. 24, Jenne raised $10,350 and spent $150 of that.
But, despite these credentials, Jenne does not have an open shot at the Democratic nomination. Schwartz is backing business owner and community activist Elaine Geller to replace her. Another prominent liberal legislator -- Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood -- is also behind Geller. Since entering the race in February, Geller has raised more than $4,000 and spent near $850. While its early in the race, Jenne clearly wont have a cakewalk to the Democratic nomination and this primary contest bears watching.
There are no Republicans in the race yet. This district is a bastion of Democratic strength, with Republicans making up around a quarter of the voters, while half are Democrats. Whoever gets the Democratic nomination will be a very heavy favorite to win in the general election.
HD 100
Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Pembroke Park, is term-limited after the 2014 elections and three Democrats are already looking to replace him in representing parts of Broward and Miami-Dade in the House.
Teacher and Democratic activist John Paul Alvarez gave Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne Beach, a scare in 2012. Despite spending $190,750 compared to Alvarezs $37,000, Tobia only won by 5 percent in November. Since that election, Alvarez moved from Brevard County down south where he hopes for better political success.
Since entering the race on March 11, Alvarez has not exactly impressed with fundraising, pulling in $935 and relying on $1,550 in loans and another $1,000 through in-kind donations. He has spent more than $1,300 already.
Two other Democratic candidates jumped in the race in early April. Former North Bay Village Mayor Joe Geller, an attorney who led Miami-Dade Democrats, is making another bid for the Florida House. Geller unsuccessfully ran against Richard Steinberg in a Democratic House primary back in 2008. He entered the race on April 2.
Another major candidate entered on April 4, Hallandale Beach Vice Mayor Alex Lewy. Lewy may only be in his early 30s, but he is something of a political veteran who was elected tothe Hallandale Beach City Commission in 2010. Before that, he served on Kendrick Meeks staff when Democrat Meek served in Congress.
There are no Republicans in this race yet, and whichever Democrat wins his partys nomination will be a heavy favorite to win this seat in the general election.
Tallahassee political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this analysis piece exclusively for Sunshine State News.
