Keith Perry has New Democratic Opponent in HD 21

Gainesville attorney Jon Uman has switched gears, ending his bid for an Alachua County judical position to run for the Florida House seat currently held by Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville. Uman filed the paperwork to run for the House seat, which represents all of Dixie and Gilchrist counties and part of Alachua County, earlier this week.

I have decided to run for the Florida House of Representatives District 21, Uman announced. As I hear from more members of our community, I am reminded that much of what is wrong in our state started in the Legislature. Tallahassee has for over two decades wreaked havoc on Floridas families. Ensuring a stable jobs market, funding schools adequately, and protecting our environment are just a few of the areas where those in our capital have failed us over and over again. The families of Florida and those in our area have been sold-out for years to politically subsidized industries on issue after issue.

There is a new wind blowing through Tallahassee and I want to ensure the values of Alachua County and Central Florida are well-represented, Uman added.

On paper, Democrats should do well in this district. Back in 2010, Alex Sink beat out Rick Scott by 8 percent here and Democrats had a 15 percent registration edge in the district in 2012.

But Perry has proven to be a very strong candidate despite the Democratic edge. In 2010, Perry took 61 percent while Democrat Jon Paugh mustered 39 percent. After redistricting in 2012, Perry took 57 percent while Democrat Andrew Morey garnered 43 percent.

Still, Perry hasnt exactly astounded with his fundraising. Between the end of February 2013 and the end of the year, Perry brought in less than $31,400 and spent almost $3,100.