For Democrats, the uphill road to flipping the U.S. House in November goes through Florida.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-NM, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), announced more than 30 seats that are either open in November or currently held by the GOP will be in the “Red to Blue” program as top targets in the general election. Four of the “Red to Blue” seats are in Florida, more than any other state.
“House Democrats are on offense and will pick up seats in 2016, and these effective, hardworking and diverse candidates are the foundation of our success this year,” Luján said on Thursday. “Not only have these individuals proven themselves ready to win by building smart campaigns and through strong fundraising, they have also proven themselves ready to fight on behalf of all the people in their districts, keep them safe and ensure the economy works for everyone.
“The DCCC has worked deliberately to support the best candidates who are ready to win across the country, and these candidates have earned their places in our battle-tested ‘Red to Blue’ program,” Luján added. “I’m excited to work as a team, build on that success and execute winning campaigns.”
The DCCC signaled out four seats in Florida--three currently held by the GOP--as part of the “Red to Blue” program. Businessman Randy Perkins who is running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., was included in the program. The DCCC also designated CD 13, where former Gov. Charlie Crist and former Obama administration official Eric Lynn are running to replace U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., as part of the program. Jolly and Murphy are both running for the U.S. Senate.
In Central Florida, the DCCC tapped former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings as part of the program. After losing to him in 2012, Demings is aiming for a rematch with U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., in November but she does have primary opponents including state Sen. Geri Thompson, D-Orlando, and businessman and Democratic leader Bob Poe.
Former Miami Dade Democratic Party Chairwoman Annette Taddeo, who is running to challenge U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., is also part of the “Red to Blue” program. While has Luján’s and the DCCC’s backing, Taddeo does have a primary opponent in former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., who Curbelo beat in 2014.
The three seats currently held by Florida Republicans being targeted by the DCCC are all more favorable to Democrats after the latest round of congressional redistricting as the Florida Supreme Court accepted new districts drawn up by the League of Women Voters.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dismissed the DCCC’s efforts, noting that “Red to Blue” and other top efforts led to only 7 wins and 23 losses in the 2012 election cycle. In 2014, the DCCC did even in “Red to Blue” and other top races with only 4 wins and 36 losses.
For her part, Taddeo said she was thrilled to be included in “Red to Blue.”“I am honored to have earned a place in the DCCC’s Red to Blue program early in the primary,” Taddeo said. “We have demonstrated that we are focused, driven, and have overwhelming grassroots support from the community. South Florida is ready for real change, and a leader that will fight for women’s access to health care, the environment, education, and immigration reform.
“District 26 has been mired by representatives who have only sought out to help themselves, and not the community,” Taddeo added. “We are here to change that. Progressive values from someone who shares their story are what this district wants, and come this November, the votes will show that FL26 will go from red to blue. For good.”
But Taddeo has been promoted by the DCCC before and could not achieve victory. Back in 2008, a good year for Democrats, Taddeo took on U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and could not capitalize on Barack Obama’s coattails, taking 42 percent while the Republican congresswoman pulled 58 percent. Taddeo went on to lose a county commission race in 2010 and was Crist’s running mate as Democrats failed to dislodge Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.
The NRCC offered a reminder of Taddeo’s past attempts at office on Thursday.
“The last time Annette Taddeo was in DCCC’s ‘Red to Blue’ program she got smoked by 16 points – enough said," Chris Pack, a spokesman for the NRCC, said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
