Former state Sen. Daniel Webster cruised to victory over six Republican opponents and will face Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, and TEA Party candidate Peg Dunmire in November.
The 8th Congressional District contest was hotly contested as Republicans lined up for a shot at Grayson, a hyper-partisan and polarizing freshman congressman.
In style and substance, Webster will draw a sharp contrast with the incumbent. Whereas Grayson is bombastic and unabashedly liberal, Webster is a soft-spoken conservative who speaks frequently of his family and faith.
The Central Florida district could be ripe for reconquest by the Republicans. Party registration breaks 35 percent Democratic, 35 percent GOP and 30 percent independents, who lean conservative.
The National Republican Congressional Committee reportedly has targeted CD 8 as one of 40 districts around the country for a $22 million TV blitz aimed at Democratic incumbents.
Webster, who was term-limited, enjoyed districtwide name recognition since his former Senate district overlapped CD 8. His dominant showing on Tuesday indicated wide geographic support among Republicans.
But Dunmire, running on the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party ticket, could make for a spirited three-way contest. Running on a platform of fiscal conservatism and tapping into anti-establishment angst, Dunmire figures to capture a chunk of the independent voting bloc while appealing to restive Republicans.
Dunmire immediately called on Webster and Grayson to participate in "at least two debates at a time and place to be determined.
"It is important to allow the citizens of District 8 the opportunity to evaluate all three of us prior to the November general election," Dunmire said.
In a statement, Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher said:
Alan Grayson has been an embarrassment to Central Florida long enough. Despite his most recent attempts to manipulate the general election through his ties to questionable TEA political party candidates, in a few short weeks we look forward to defeating Alan Grayson and giving the people of Central Florida the representation they deserve in Washington.
Todd Long finished a distant second in Tuesday's balloting, with state Rep. Kurt Kelly and Patricia Sullivan the only other candidates garnering double-digit percentages of the vote, according to incomplete results.
Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 559-4719.
