Ryan Ray
Former Democratic Rep. Joe Saunders is “talking to family and friends about what the future may hold” now that Rep. Rene Plasencia – who narrowly defeated Saunders in a razor-thin contest in District 49 last November – has opted to run in a more Republican-leaning adjacent district in 2016.
Saunders took to social media on Sunday and later caught up with Florida Politics to address the shifting electoral landscape in Orlando.
“The news that Rene Plasencia won’t seek re-election in House District 49 has given me a lot to think about,” Saunders told Florida Politics.
“I’ve watched this session closely and, like many, can see glimmers of opportunity and lots to be concerned about. When I first ran in 2012 my message was about balance. I spent my first campaign, and even my re-election campaign, talking to voters about how extreme Tallahassee has gotten and how disconnected it is from where everyday people actually are,” Saunders continued.
“The work to bring guns to UCF’s campus is a great example. Less than two years after the Knight Nation narrowly averted a Virginia Tech style incident, the legislature moved forward this year with a bill that would tie UCF’s hands when it came to guns. A measure supported by Rep. Plasencia himself who had publicly sworn in debates with me he would never support guns on college campuses,” said Saunders on Sunday, referring to “Coach P”‘s support for HB 4005 on a House education panel.
“Plasencia’s decision not to seek re-election in District 49 has taken me as much by surprise as the rest of you and given me a lot to think about,” Saunders wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend.
“When I lost unexpectedly last November, I left office exhausted and disappointed from another grueling campaign, but grounded in the belief that my commitment to public service didn’t begin the day I decided to run and it wouldn’t end as a private citizen. The opportunity to return to public life sooner than I expected is one I’ll be strongly considering over the next few days,” he continued, responding to a flurry of messages from supporters urging him to launch a bid.
Saunders would immediately emerge as a frontrunner in the Democratic-leaning seat.
He served one term after being elected in 2012 and was thought to be relatively safe by Florida Democratic Party campaign staff in 2014 despite low projected turnout. But Plasencia ended up beating Saunders by approximately 700 votes.
Plasencia’s move follows maneuvering by fellow Republican Rep. Tom Goodson whose decision to skip a state Senate bid to replace President Andy Gardiner in favor of running in District 51 opened up the board for Plasencia — who himself would likely face a serious Democratic challenge in District 49 whether Saunders were to run or not.
Since his re-election defeat Saunders has been working as Southern Regional Field Director for Human Rights Campaign, a national organization which champions marriage equality for same-sex couples among other gay rights issues.
Saunders was one of two openly gay members of the House during his tenure, the other being Rep. David Richardson of Miami-Dade. He was known as a progressive yet pragmatic policy maker and an indefatigable campaigner during his time in the House.
“Running for office is one of the most difficult and serious decisions a person can make,” Saunders told Florida Politics. “Serving the people of district 49 was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I’m taking time to adapt to the news and talk to the friends and family who my decisions will inevitably effect. If I decide it’s not the right time for me, my family or the district I have no doubt that there will be young and energetic progressive leaders who are ready to step in.”
[Updated April 27 at 10:45 pm to reflect a more extensive conversation with Saunders.]
