2014 Florida's 19th congressional district special election

2014 Florida's 19th congressional district special election

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Florida's 19th congressional district
Nominee Curt Clawson April Freeman Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 66,922 29,314 Percentage 66.9% 29.3%
County results Clawson:     60–70%     70–80%
U.S. Representative before election Trey Radel Republican Elected U.S. Representative Curt Clawson Republican

The 2014 special election for Florida's 19th congressional district was held on June 24, 2014, following party primary elections which were held on April 22. The election was held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Trey Radel from the United States House of Representatives. Radel resigned on January 27, 2014, two months after he was arrested for possession of cocaine. Curt Clawson was elected as the new U.S. Representative.

Background

On October 29, 2013, Radel was arrested in the District of Columbia for purchasing 3.5 grams (0.12 oz) of cocaine from an undercover officer. ^{[1] [2]} He did not inform House Republicans about the arrest. ^[3] Less than a month later, Radel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of possession of cocaine and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation. ^[4] The charge "would have been a felony had it happened in his home state," according to Terry Miller, the Republican chairman in Lee County, Florida. ^[5]

Radel announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from Congress to undergo addiction rehabilitation and that he would be donating his salary to charity during his absence. ^[6] Following his announcement, the Republican Party of Florida and Governor Rick Scott called on Radel to "resign immediately" and "focus his attention on rehabilitation and his family". ^{[1] [7]} Radel returned to Congress in January 2014, vowing to continue to serve. The House Ethics Committee began an investigation. On January 27, he decided to announce his resignation, effective that evening. ^{[2] [3]} Scott set April 22 as the date for the primary election, and June 24 for the general election. ^[8]

Republican primary

The News-Press described the Republican primary—the real contest in this heavily Republican district—as "a decidedly negative affair, with hyperbolic accusations and character assassination floated freely in television ads, mailers and news stories bombarding Southwest Florida voters." With "no difference on the issues among the three major candidates", Benacquisto, Clawson and Kreegel all attacked each other, with Benacquisto attacked for being "liberal" and an ex-Democrat; Clawson as an uncaring businessman who laid off workers and drove his company into bankruptcy; and Kreegel as a "win-at-all-costs conniver" who violated election laws. Dreikorn, was considered to have little chance and largely refrained from attacking his fellow candidates, calling for an end to the "political infighting". ^[9]

In April 2014, Benacquisto, Dreikorn and Kreegel attacked Clawson over his links to convicted child molester Glen Borst, who was a childhood friend of Clawson and whose last known address was a house in Utah that Clawson owned. ^[10] Clawson dismissed the attacks as "politically driven... that just couldn't be further from the truth" and the mother of Borst's victim asked them to stop, calling the politicization of the issue "disturb[ing] and disgust[ing]". ^{[11] [12]} Benacquisto, Dreikorn and Kreegel hosted a press conference on April 9 to demand answers from Clawson, who made an impromptu and surprise appearance. After Clawson made his case, all four candidates pledged to stop attacking each other. ^[13]

Clawson won the primary with 38% of the vote.

Candidates

Declared

• Lizbeth Benacquisto, state senator ^[14]
• Curt Clawson, businessman ^[15]
• Michael Dreikorn, businessman ^{[16] [17]}
• Paige Kreegel, former state representative and candidate for the seat in 2012 ^[18]

Declined

• Gary Aubuchon, former state representative and candidate for the seat in 2012 ^[19]
• Chauncey Goss, political consultant, candidate for the seat in 2012 and son of former U.S. Representative Porter Goss ^[19]
• Connie Mack IV, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012 ^[20]
• Gary Price, vice mayor of Naples ^[15]

Endorsements

Lizbeth Benacquisto

Politicians

• Gary Aubuchon, former state representative and candidate for the seat in 2012 ^[21]
• Diane Black, U.S. Representative (R-TN) ^[22]
• Matt Caldwell, state representative ^[23]
• Jason Chaffetz, U.S. Representative (R-UT) ^[24]
• Mario Díaz-Balart, U.S. Representative (R-FL) ^[25]
• Dane Eagle, state representative ^[26]
• Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas ^[27]
• Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska and 2008 vice presidential nominee ^[28]
• Sandra Mortham, former Secretary of State of Florida ^[29]
• Kathleen Passidomo, state representative ^[23]
• Garrett Richter, state senator ^[30]
• Ray Rodrigues, state representative ^[26]
• Francis Rooney, former United States Ambassador to the Holy See ^[31]
• Tom Rooney, U.S. Representative (R-FL) ^[25]
• Aaron Schock, U.S. Representative (R-IL) ^[32]
• Ann Wagner, U.S. Representative (R-MO) and former United States Ambassador to Luxembourg ^[22]

Organizations

• Maggie's List ^[33]
• Susan B. Anthony List ^[34]

Curt Clawson

Politicians

• Connie Mack IV, former U.S. Representative (R-FL) ^[35]
• Rand Paul, U.S. Senator (R-KY) ^[36]
• Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative (R-MN) ^[37]

Organizations

• Tea Party Express ^[38]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Lizbeth Benacquisto	Curt Clawson	Michael Dreikorn	Paige Kreegel	Undecided
Public Policy Polling [39]	April 14–16, 2014	669	± 3.8%	19%	38%	18%	17%	7%
St. Pete Polls [40]	April 9, 2014	759	± 3.6%	25.5%	29.8%	11%	21.3%	12.3%

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Lizbeth Benacquisto	Chauncey Goss	Paige Kreegel	Connie Mack IV	Undecided
St. Pete Polls [41]	January 27, 2014	1,284	± 2.7%	32.5%	15.3%	9.6%	22.3%	20.3%

Results

Republican primary results ^[42]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Curt Clawson	26,857	38
	Republican	Lizbeth Benacquisto	18,032	26
	Republican	Paige Kreegel	17,762	25
	Republican	Michael Dreikorn	7,560	11
Total votes			70,211	100

General election

Candidates

• Curt Clawson (Republican), businessman
• April Freeman (Democratic), businesswoman and former Republican political activist ^[43]
• Ray Netherwood (Libertarian) ^[44]
• Timothy Rossano (write-in) ^[45]

Florida's 19th congressional district, 2014 (special) ^[46]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Curt Clawson	66,922	66.92%	+4.93%
	Democratic	April Freeman	29,314	29.32%	−6.52%
	Libertarian	Ray Netherwood	3,729	3.73%	N/A
	Independent	Timothy J. Rossano (write-in)	24	0.02%	N/A
Total votes			'99,989'	'100.0%'	N/A
	Republican hold

References

1. "Trey Radel: Florida Republicans urge cocaine congressman to quit". BBC News . November 25, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
2. Ledyard King (January 27, 2014). "Rep. Trey Radel to resign after drug plea". USA Today . Retrieved January 27, 2014.
3. Marty, Robin. "Trey Radel to resign House seat". Politico . Retrieved January 27, 2014.
4. Sherman, Jake (November 20, 2013). "Trey Radel pleads guilty to cocaine possession". Politico . Retrieved November 20, 2013.
5. "Defying GOP Leaders, Rep. Trey Radel Won't Resign After Rehab". WYSO. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
6. Sherman, Jake. "Trey Radel taking leave of absence from Congress". Politico . Retrieved November 20, 2013.
7. Henderson, Jeff (November 28, 2013). "Republicans Gear Up to Replace Trey Radel in Congress". Sunshine State News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
8. "Gov. Scott sets special election to replace Radel". The Hill. January 31, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
9. Ledyard King (March 21, 2014). "Dirty politics: Republican primary for House takes nasty turn". The News-Press. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
10. Kevin Derby (April 8, 2014). "Curt Clawson Faces Heat Over Ties to Child Molester". Sunshine State News. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
11. Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster (April 8, 2014). "Curt Clawson opponents call for him to explain ties to child assaulter; he responds". Naples News. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
12. Heather Wysocki (April 9, 2014). "Rivals link Clawson to sex offender; victim's mother asks them to stop". The News-Press. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
13. Greg Stanley (April 9, 2014). "Curt Clawson speaks out, attends press conference hosted by GOP opponents". Naples News. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
14. Marc Caputo (February 3, 2014). "Goss Out, Benacquisto Running For Radel Seat (Updated)". Roll Call. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
15. Jaffe, Alexandra (January 27, 2014). "Crowded field forming to succeed Radel". The Hill . Retrieved January 27, 2014.
16. "Candidates and Races - Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Election.dos.state.fl.us. Archived from the original on August 31, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
17. "Florida's 19th District". Dreikorn For Congress. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
18. Peter Schorsch (February 3, 2014). "Benacquisto, Kreegel Off and Running in SW Florida Congressional Special Election". Sunshine State News. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
19. Marc Caputo (November 20, 2013). "U.S. Rep. Trey Radel's GOP primary nightmare: FL Sen. Republican leader Lizbeth Benacquisto". Miami Herald . Retrieved November 26, 2013.
20. Marc Caputo (January 29, 2014). "Connie Mack won't run for Radel's vacated seat". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
21. Derby, Kevin (March 6, 2014). "Gary Aubuchon backs Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
22. "House Republican Women Endorse in Florida Special Primary | At the Races". Atr.rollcall.com. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
23. "Conservatives Trust Lizbeth Benacquisto". Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
24. Nielsen, Allison (February 28, 2014). "Rep. Jason Chaffetz Endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
25. Derby, Kevin (March 10, 2014). "Tom Rooney and Mario Diaz-Balart back Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
26. Derby, Kevin (March 11, 2014). "Dane Eagle endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress". Sunshine State News. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
27. Derby, Kevin (April 7, 2014). "Mike Huckabee endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress". Sunshine State News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
28. "Sarah Palin joins Naples fundraiser for Benacquisto | The News-Press". news-press.com. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
29. Derby, Kevin (February 27, 2014). "Republicans try to woo conservatives in CD 19". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
30. Derby, Kevin (February 11, 2014). "Garrett Richter backs Lizbeth Benacquisto's bid for Congress". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
31. Derby, Kevin (March 25, 2014). "Citing pro-life positions, Francis Rooney backs Lizbeth Benacquisto in CD 19". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
32. Jay Newton-Small (April 23, 2014). "Lizbeth Benacquisto is Latest Republican Woman to Fall Short". TIME. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
33. Derby, Kevin (February 26, 2014). "Conservative PAC Maggie's List backs Lizbeth Benacquisto in CD 19". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
34. Wysocki, Heather (February 20, 2014). "Pair of congressional hopefuls nab endorsements". News Press. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
35. "Connie Mack Endorses in Special Election for Radel's Seat | At the Races". Atr.rollcall.com. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
36. "Rand Paul Endorses in Race to Replace Trey Radel | At the Races". Atr.rollcall.com. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
37. "Michelle Bachmann endorses Curt Clawson in CD 19 primary". SaintPetersBlog. April 18, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
38. "Endorses Curt Clawson for Florida's 19th Congressional District Special Election". Tea Party Express. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
39. Public Policy Polling
40. St. Pete Polls
41. St. Pete Polls
42. "Florida - County Vote Results". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
43. "Town hall guests: Democrats vying for two congressional districts in Lehigh guests at Jan. 21 meeting". Leigh Acres Citizen. January 15, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
44. "District 19 congressional Republican primary roundup". The News-Press. April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
45. "Replay: Republican congressional debate for 19th District seat". The News-Press. February 25, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
46. "Florida Department of State - Election Results: June 24, 2014 Special General Congressional 19". Florida Department of State Department of Elections. Retrieved June 18, 2016.