House Seat 31: While three Democrats are running in the primary to take on Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne, the incumbents worried about a challenger in the Republican primary. Tobia raised more than $102,000, loaned his campaign more than $16,000 and had spent more than $82,000 by the end of July to hold off Indiatlantic Councilwoman Lori Halbert for the Republican nomination. Halbert raised more than $35,000, loaned her campaign $55,000 and spent almost $68,000. While three Democrats -- Jane Havet, Jodi James and Joe Pishgar -- are seeking their partys nomination, none of them has done much in terms of fund-raising. All three Democrats had raised far less than $10,000 at the end of July. While whoever emerges from the Republican primary battle will be bruised, the GOP candidate will be a heavy favorite over any of the Democrats in the race.
House Seat 32: Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, will have another two years to represent parts of Brevard and Orange counties. He is the only candidate in the race.
House Seat 33: With Rep. Sandy Adams, R-Oviedo, facing term limits and running for Congress, three Republicans, two Libertarians and one Democrat are seeking this seat covering parts of Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties. There is a lot of money flowing into this race. Republican candidate Jason Brodeur, who works as a consultant in the health-care industry, has hauled in more than $164,000, loaned his campaign $25,000 and had spent almost $125,000 at the end of July. He faces a challenge from Dr. Alice Sterling, an optometrist, who has raised more than $131,000 and spent more than $98,000 for the Republican nomination. James DeCocq, who has served as the city manager for Marathon and Sunny Isles Beach, lags far behind Brodeur and Sterling in terms of fund-raising. Ellen Paul and Franklin Perez are battling for the Libertarian nod. Whoever emerges from the Republican contest will be a favorite over the Libertarian and the Democratic candidate Leo Cruz.
House Seat 34: Democrats would love to knock off Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, who is in line to be speaker after 2014 and represents parts of Orange and Seminole counties. Media reports about Dorworths continued personal financial problems are not helping his chances for another term, but he has done well in hauling in cash -- raising more than $130,000 but spending more than $108,000. Democratic candidate Steve Barnes raised more than $32,000 and has spent just over $4,300 so far. TEA Party candidate John DeVries is also in the race. Dorworth is still the favorite but he cannot afford any further bad publicity about his personal finances.
House Seat 35: Republican Dean Cannon of Winter Park is set to grasp the gavel and become speaker -- if he manages to win another term. Representing parts of Orange County, Cannon has raised a staggering amount -- more than $744,000 --and spent more than $302,000 of that. Democratic opponent Amy Mercado raised a fraction of that -- less than $42,000 -- and had around $11,000 in the bank at the end of July. Cannon also faces TEA Party candidate Nina Virone.
