Mitch Perry
Florida Democrats now have a candidate vying for the open House District 72 in the Sarasota area recently vacated by Republican Alex Miller. She’s attorney and community activist Margaret Good, who announced her candidacy over the weekend.
“As we struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, I’ve been helping my neighbors and our community with recovery – but I know there is so much more I can do,” Good said in a statement. ”It’s time to shake things up in Tallahassee and fight for the health care and jobs we need, the education our children deserve, and the environment that we love.”
Good is the first Democrat to enter into the special election, which is slated to take place next February. Realtor James Buchanan, the son of Congressman Vern Buchanan, is the only Republican to enter the race. He had been running for the House District 71 seat, where he had already raised more than $165,000.
“Margaret is a ‘dream candidate,'” declared former Sarasota County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Christine Jennings. “Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike will support her because of her spirit of caring about people, her intellect, and her character.”
Good was born in Georgia and received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina. She then attended law school at the University of Florida, where she edited the Florida Law Review. She now works at the Sarasota-based law firm of Matthews Eastmoore.
“We love working with Margaret for the same reasons voters will want her working for them: an outstanding educational background, extensive business and real-world experience, and a demonstrated commitment to caring about people and finding practical solutions to problems which people of all political persuasions agree must get done,” says Lamar Matthews, former general counsel for former Florida Gov. & U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and a founder of Matthews Eastmoore.
The HD 72 seat became open after Miller announced last month that she would be stepping down from the seat almost immediately to spend more time with her family.
The third candidate in the race is Libertarian Alison Foxall, who announced her candidacy shortly after Miller’s said she would exit the Legislature.
