Democrat Craft “leaning” toward challenging Rooney in congressional District 16

by George Bennett | July 26th, 2009

National Democrats have been firing salvos at freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, for months.

Craft

The national GOP recently added Rooney to its incumbent-protection program in preparation for battle.

The only thing missing is an actual challenger.

That could change soon. Democratic St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Craft says he’s “leaning” toward entering the race in the next few weeks.

“There are still a couple of pieces of the puzzle that we’re trying to put together,” says Craft.

Rooney

Those pieces presumably include a finance pro who can help Craft raise the $1.5 million or more needed to compete in sprawling District 16, which extends from northern Palm Beach County to Charlotte County and requires broadcast television buys in at least two media markets.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been wooing Craft since the Dems’ top pick — state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres — decided to run for attorney general rather than challenge Rooney.

District 16 is roughly 41 percent Republican and 38 percent Democrat and voted about 52 percent for Republican John McCain over Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race.

The National Republican Congressional Committee recently added Rooney to its “Patriot Program,” which includes 25 GOP House members likely to face serious challenges from Dems in 2010.

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Pearl

Democrat Elissa Pearl, one of three candidates for the state House seat of term-limited Rep. Mary Brandenburg, is “seriously considering” leaving that race and launching a 2010 Democratic primary challenge against Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

Santamaria

Avowed non-politician Santamaria hasn’t announced whether he’ll seek reelection but is expected to do so. Pearl is a labor lawyer who lives just outside Santamaria’s District 6.

“It’s not specifically about Santamaria,” Pearl says of her potential challenge. “I think that there is a leadership void in District 6.”

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Rader

Now that freshman Democratic state Rep. Kevin Rader is running for the state Senate, several Dems are eyeing Rader’s District 78 House seat. They include former District 78 state Rep. Richard Machek; chiropractor Steven Perman, who lost to Rader by only 198 votes in last year’s Democratic House primary; and Boca Raton-Delray Democratic Club President Steve Wallace.

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Siegel

Palm Beach County’s Democratic Party has been paying $100 a month to have about 250 hand-made rugelach pastries at its monthly meetings, the party’s latest finance report shows. The payments go to Democratic Executive Committee member and former professional caterer Mina Miles, who’s also the wife of county Democratic Chairman Mark Alan Siegel.

Siegel says he removed himself from the rugelach decision-making loop and left approval of the pastry purchases to party Vice Chair Terrie Rizzo and Treasurer Bob Diffenderfer.

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Tags: Chris Craft, Elissa Pearl, Jess Santamaria, Mark Alan Siegel, Richard Machek, Steve Wallace, Steven Perman

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 26th, 2009 at 8:00 pm and is filed under 2010 campaigns, Dave Aronberg, George Bennett, State House, State Senate, Tom Rooney, U.S. House. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Responses to “Democrat Craft “leaning” toward challenging Rooney in congressional District 16”

1. mjp Says:
   July 26th, 2009 at 8:31 pm

   Lets hope craft gives up his seat to run becasue he is by far the most useless and least liked commish in the county.

2. Wellington Horseman Says:
   July 27th, 2009 at 8:09 am

   Who the heck is Elissa Pearl and what has she done for her community and what type of leadership has she provided?

   All I can say is bring-her-on. To even publicly discuss running against Santamaria shows how out-of-touch she is. Sounds as if she wants her name out there to boost her law practice.

3. District 16 Democrat Says:
   July 27th, 2009 at 8:13 am

   Mjp has an assessment of Craft similar to others I’ve heard about him. Ineffective and blows with the wind.

   I’m a Democrat but have been very impressed with Rooney. I’ve met him and he actually listens to people rather than telling them what’s best for them.
   His re-election should be a piece of cake, especially if Craft is his opponent.

4. Run Steve Run... Says:
   July 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pm

   Steve Wallace is already the front runner the moment he enters the race. There really are still honorable people left in Florida, now if we can just get them into the State House. You have my full support Steve and I am ready to start canvassing.
   Run Steve Run!

5. Lynda Napolitano Says:
   July 27th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

   Steve Wallace will make a terrific candidate. He is a nice, honest, intelligent person and unlike every other politician I can think of. We need more like him.