Democrat Tim Mahoney takes over District 16, which includes parts of Charlotte County. It used to belong to former Congressman Mark Foley. Republican state representative Joe Negron conceded to Mahoney last night. Mahoney says it’s now time to get to work.
“We talk about issues and solve problems with having to do with homeowner’s insurance, social security, affordable health care. I mean we’ve got a lot of work to do. And I’m really anxious to go into Washington in the majority and being able to bring the results home to the people of the 16th congressional district.”
Mahoney’s victory helps Democrats regain control of the House by taking a seat that had been seen as securely in GOP hands before Foley’s troubles. Foley resigned in September after being confronted with lurid computer messages he sent to male teenage pages.
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For the first time in more than 30 years, a Democrat will represent Florida’s 16th Congressional District. As Justin Gilken reports, Palm Beach Gardens businessman Tim Mahoney defeated Republican state representative Joe Negron by fewer than 5-thousand votes…
Mahoney took the stage to claim victory around 11-pm Tuesday to the music of the rock band U-2… surrounded by family, friends and supporters at the Jupiter Beach Resort. The political newcomer says his number one concern in Washington will be ethics reform, and he promised bi-partisan leadership…
Mahoney was initially considered a long-shot for the 16th district against Republican Mark Foley… but the seat became a toss-up when the six-term incumbent suddenly resigned from office in late September, after it was revealed that he exchanged sexually-explicit online messages with former congressional pages. To replace Foley, the G-O-P selected Joe Negron. Late Tuesday, the Stuart Republican praised his campaign for keeping the race close, despite having only five weeks to build support, and the fact that Foley’s name appeared on the ballot…
The sprawling 16th district is one of about 30 seats Democrats picked up in gaining control of the U-S House for the first time since 1994. Both parties tapped considerable resources to win the seat, spending a combined $2-point-3 million dollars in a matter of weeks, much of it on a barrage of competing television ads.