2010 Florida's 19th congressional district special election
April 13, 2010 (2010-04-13)
 
Nominee Ted Deutch Edward Lynch
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 43,255 24,539
Percentage 62.1% 35.1%
Representative before election

Robert Wexler
Democratic

 Elected Representative

Ted Deutch
Democratic

The 2010 special election for Florida's 19th congressional district took place on April 13, 2010, to fill the vacancy caused by Representative Robert Wexler's resignation. Wexler resigned on January 3, 2010, to become the President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. Florida's 19th congressional district was a liberal-leaning district based in South Florida, stretching from Greenacres to Margate in Broward County and Palm Beach County.

The election was initially scheduled to occur on April 6, the last day of Passover. However, Lynch met with Governor Crist and expressed his concern that a significant portion of the Jewish population would not have an opportunity to vote and national Jewish advocacy groups, citing the schedule conflict and the high density of Jewish voters in the district, called for the election to be moved to a later date. Ultimately, then-Governor Charlie Crist called Lynch to inform him that he decided to move the election to April 13, 2010.[1]

State Senator Ted Deutch, the Democratic nominee, easily defeated Edward Lynch, the Republican nominee, and was elected to a full term later in 2010.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Ted Deutch, State Senator
  • Ben Graber, former Broward County Commissioner

Campaign

During the campaign, Graber, who had unsuccessfully run for this seat in 1996 and 2008, emphasized his progressive policies, favoring "universal health care and opposition to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."[2] Deutch, meanwhile, focused on his "ability to get things done" in the Republican-dominated state legislature and his concern about the national security threat posed by Iran.[2] Former Congressman Wexler, along with then-Congressmen Alcee Hastings, Ron Klein, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, endorsed Deutch, who ended up winning the primary by a wide margin.[3]

Results

Democratic primary results,[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ted Deutch 23,959 85.23%
Democratic Ben Graber 4,151 14.77%
Total votes 28,110 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Edward Lynch, businessman
  • Joe Budd, financial planner
  • Curt Price, retired police officer

Campaign

During the campaign, Lynch and Budd each emphasized their commitment to the Tea Party movement, and attacked each other over their business practices and debts.[2] Lynch was attacked for being accused of owing $1.4 million in back income taxes and previously registering to vote as a Democrat. He explained that he was audited over the sale of a business and that the matter has been resolved. With regard to registering as a democrat, he was automatically registered as a democrat when he received his driver's license. He explained that since he was not very active politically prior to running for office, he was unaware that the DMV automatically registered him through a system called "motor voter".[5] Budd, meanwhile, was attacked for a $25,000 tax lien.[5] By the end of the campaign, Price and Budd announced that they would not support Lynch in the general election if he won the primary.[6] Ultimately, Lynch narrowly won the primary by just 48 votes, narrowly beating out Budd.

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward Lynch 3,322 40.70%
Republican Joe Budd 3,274 40.11%
Republican Curt Price 1,566 19.19%
Total votes 8,162 100.00%

General election

Campaign

The general election campaign featured sharp distinctions between Deutch and Lynch. Lynch attacked the recently passed Affordable Care Act as a "government takeover" of healthcare, while Deutch said that he would have voted for the bill.[8] McCormick, meanwhile, running as an independent candidate, argued that his lack of affiliation with either of the major parties would allow him to bring change.[9] In the end, owing to the Democratic nature of the district, as well as Deutch's history of representing the area in the legislature, Deutch beat Lynch by 26.85% but by fewer votes than any prior candidate ever won by.[9]

Results

Florida's 19th congressional district special election, 2010[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ted Deutch 43,269 62.06
Republican Edward Lynch 24,549 35.21
Independent Jim McCormick 1,905 2.73
Total votes 69,723 100.00
Democratic hold

References

  1. ↑ "Crist Reschedules Special Election in Boca Raton to Not Fall on Passover". Fox News. November 25, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Man, Anthony (February 2, 2010). "Primary candidates vie for Wexler's seat in Congress". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  3. ↑ Fabian, Jordan (October 25, 2009). "Wexler backs Deutch as successor". The Hill. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  4. ↑ "February 2, 2010 Special Primary, Congressional 19, Democratic Primary". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  5. 1 2 O'Matz, Megan; Man, Anthony (January 31, 2010). "Candidate Edward Lynch struggles with financial woes". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  6. ↑ Bennett, George (January 28, 2010). "GOP rivals say they won't back Lynch if he wins primary". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  7. ↑ "February 2, 2010 Special Primary, Congressional 19, Republican Primary". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Democrat Deutch wins Florida US House special election". The Gainesville Sun. April 14, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Man, Anthony (April 13, 2010). "Ted Deutch glides to victory". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  10. ↑ "April 13, 2010 Special General, Congressional 19 & House 4". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
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