Former state Rep. Joe Negron (R), who became the designated GOP candidate in the 16th district after then-Rep. Mark Foley (R) resigned from Congress in disgrace in September, wants a rematch with the man who won.

Negron told the Tallahassee Democrat last week that he is preparing to run against freshman Rep. Tim Mahoney (D) in 2008.

Technically, Mahoney defeated Foley in November because it was too late for Foley to be removed from the ballot after he resigned and dropped out of the race. But state Republican leaders designated Negron their replacement candidate, meaning all votes for Foley would accrue to him. But despite the GOP lean of the district — and an aggressive six-week campaign by Negron — Republicans could not prevent a significant number of voters from straying into the Democratic column.

Meanwhile, Mahoney, who will be one of the most targeted Democratic incumbents in 2008, was scheduled to host a $1,000-a-plate fundraising breakfast this morning at Bistro Bis on Capitol Hill.
— Nicole Duran