Ratings Change: Florida’s 10th District
Democratic chances of winning Florida’s 10th District took a dramatic hit when their 2012 nominee and top choice decided to run for another office.
Last cycle, GOP Rep. Daniel Webster defeated former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, 52 percent to 48 percent, in a very competitive race. Democratic strategists encouraged Demings to run again, but she recently announced her campaign for mayor of Orange County.
On paper, the district could be competitive. Mitt Romney won it with 54 percent in 2012, and John McCain won it with 53 percent in 2008. But Democrats need to find a strong candidate.
Former Eustis City Commissioner William Ferree, 69, announced his congressional campaign on the Democratic side. But he has a long way to go in terms of fundraising and name identification before this becomes a serious race again.
We’re moving Florida’s 10th District to Safe Republican from Republican Favored in the Rothenberg Political Report/CQ Roll Call ratings.