Two Democrats are battling in the August primary for an open seat in the Florida House of Representatives representing parts of Alachua and Marion counties and the winner should be headed to Tallahassee since whoever emerges will face a write-in candidate.
Much of the new district is currently represented by Rep. Chuck Chestnut, D-Gainesville, who is stepping down after three terms in the Florida House to run for Alachua County Commission.
With Chestnut stepping down, former Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson is looking to move up to the Florida House. Watson is well-known in the area for his time in public office. A former police officer who eventually rose to deputy police chief of Alachua, Watson became city manager of Alachua in 2002.
After leaving the city manager position in 2009, Watson filed to run for the Florida House in June 2011. Since that time, he has raised almost $41,000 and relied on $100 in loans and $4,000 through in-kind donations. By July 6, Watson had spent almost $20,800 -- leaving more than $20,000 for the final weeks of the primary contest.
With no Republican in the race, Watson has been endorsed by some of the leadership of the Florida business community. He won the backing of both the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Watson is also relying on the support of the Florida Dental Association, the Florida Medical Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and firefighters organizations in Alachua County and Gainesville.
Watson starts off with more name recognition than his opponent Marihelen Wheeler, a middle-school teacher in Gainesville. Despite Watsons record, Wheeler has pulled in some impressive endorsements of her own for the Democratic primary, though she does trail her opponent in the money chase.
Since entering the race in October, Wheeler has raised more than $24,250 and has relied on more than $1,600 through in-kind donations. Having spent more than $13,100 as of July 6, Wheeler should have more than $11,150 for the final weeks of the primary.
Wheeler has won the backing of the teachers unions, including the Alachua County Education Association and the Marion County Education Association. She has also garnered the backing of the Alachua County Young Democrats.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary will be a near-certain lock to be elected in November. No other candidates have made the ballot, though Robert W. Brinkman of Gainesville is running as a write-in candidate.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
