Party Congratulates New State Rep. Tony Sasso!

Democrats Pick Up 9th GOP-held State House Seat In Less Than 2 Years

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2008

COCOA BEACH - Florida Democrats celebrated tonight following the decision by voters in Brevard and Orange Counties to choose former Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Tony Sasso - a Democrat - as their next representative.

Despite being outspent by the Republican more than two-to-one, Sasso won the House District 32 special election and will replace the disgraced Republican Rep. Bob Allen, who resigned the seat after making headlines when he was caught soliciting in a public bathroom.

"Tony Sasso's victory proves that the quality of a candidate and the solutions that one presents are more important than money and deceptive attack politics," Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen L. Thurman said. "The voters' decision to elect Tony Sasso is another nail in the coffin of the failed policies that resulted in the Republican recession Florida faces today. The people clearly want change, and Democrats are ready to deliver a new direction for our state."

For a comment from House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber, please visit http://dangelber.com/news/blog.php.

This is the ninth State House district where voters who had previously elected a Republican chose a Democrat to represent them in Tallahassee since 2006 - the biggest two-year gain in Florida Democratic Party history.

Leading up to Election Day, Sasso was endorsed by both major newspapers covering the district. Lauding Sasso glowingly as "far and away the best candidate" because of his "proven record as a public servant who knows how to work across the aisle," Florida Today endorsed the Democrat without reservation, noting that he "offers the kind of moderate, bipartisan leadership that Republican and independent voters should recognize and support."

The Orlando Sentinel called Sasso the "clear choice" and cited his "experience and command of the issues" in its endorsement. "...we recognize Mr. Sasso will have a tough battle in this district, where Republicans far outnumber Democrats. But Republicans ought to think before they vote the party line," the Sentinel wrote. Sasso has "been a champion of managed growth, and he has a plan to lure high-tech industry as the shuttle program winds down."

Sasso's win is even more impressive considering District 32's voter registration heavily favors Republicans: 44% R, 35% D, 20% NPA/Other. Additionally, Sasso raised $120,233.10 while Republican candidate Sean Campbell received a whopping $293,401.17 and loaned his own campaign more than $25,000.