It’s been a pretty good day for the DCCC so far today, and it just got a bit better: St. Lucie Co. Commissioner Chris Craft, who has been the party’s top choice to challenge frosh GOP Rep. Tom Rooney after state Sen. Dave Aronberg declined the race, has announced that he will run. From the Palm Beach Post:
“I’m running for Congress because we need a representative who has shared the struggles of hardworking Floridians and can relate to the people of this district,” said Craft, who pledged to work with Republicans and Democrats as a “moderate voice” in Washington.
Craft, 36, was recruited by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee after the party failed to woo state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, to challenge Rooney. Aronberg instead launched a bid for attorney general in June.
Rooney’s going to be a pretty challenging incumbent to beat, given his slam-dunk 60-40 win over disgraced Democrat Tim Mahoney and the district’s overall slight Republican lean (it’s supported Republican presidential nominees by anywhere between 5 and 8 points in the last three cycles). However, it’s always a good idea to keep a frosh Republican on his toes — especially with redistricting looming around the corner.
RaceTracer Wiki: FL-16
He only won because of a scandal
Sounds like a good candidate.
Any chance Gelber drops out of the AG race and runs in a house race? What district does he live in?
Glad Rooney isn’t getting a second free election in a row.
if Rooney looses by anywhere from 15 to 20 points
Gore-47%
Kerry-46%
Obama-47%
All Craft has to do is run 3 points better than the average democrat.
It will also have a lot to do with how Kendrick Meek and Alex Sink perform in the district in their runs for senate and governor.
If we do pick up seats in Florida the three most likely house seats I think we can pick up are FL 10,13,16