Who has the Edge in First Coast State Senate Race?

On Wednesday, attorney Wyman Duggan dropped out of the Republican primary to replace term-limited Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, and backed Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville, for the seat.

"I am honored and humbled by the favorable response I have received from the citizens of Northeast Florida, Duggan said. They care deeply about this community and its future and that is why I support Mike Weinstein. His commitment to the community and his history of job creation make him the perfect candidate for state Senate. I am asking everyone who supported me to throw your support behind Mike Weinstein.

With Duggan out of the race, an interesting dynamic looms as Weinstein squares off against former Rep. Aaron Bean. Weinstein supporters hope that Duggan dropping out will work to their candidates advantage, as it leaves their man as the only candidate from populous Duval County while Beans base is Nassau County.

But some Bean supporters think Duggan leaving helps their man as they can now focus all their fire on Weinstein in hopes of running to his right (they will certainly note that Weinstein was one of the most prominent Republicans in Tallahassee to back SB 6 in 2010).

Then theres the often unpredictable dynamic of races with multiple candidates. Duggan could have emerged in a strong position as Bean and Weinstein slugged away at each other. Its not an unknown phenomenon. Candidate A and Candidate B can fire away at each other -- while Candidate C rises and emerges unscathed. Sandy Adams emerged to win a Republican congressional primary while Craig Miller and Karen Diebel ripped into each other back in 2010. While Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt threw mud at each other across Iowa in 2004, John Kerry and John Edwards rose to beat out both of them in the Hawkeye State and went on to be the Democratic ticket.

Weinstein looked to get his conservative credentials in order on Wednesday after the Duggan endorsement.

I am thankful for Wyman's support and I look forward to working with him as we look to create jobs and promote a conservative policy agenda in Tallahassee," said Weinstein.