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Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2018

It was a simple question: “Where are you from?” House District 72 Democratic candidate Margaret Good has not been shy about being raised outside of Florida. But when asked recently by a reporter with WWSB, the Sarasota attorney seemed hesitant to clarify exactly where outside Florida. Good is facing Republican businessmen James Buchanan, who holds […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 29, 2018

While many politicos anxiously await (or fear) a “blue wave” come November, one pair of special elections in Florida – House District 72 and 114 – may give Florida Democrats a hint of how the party will fare this year. The HD 72 special election – between Republican James Buchanan, Democrat Margaret Good, and Libertarian […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 24, 2018

Sarasota Republican James Buchanan and Democrat Margaret Good are virtually tied in the House District 72 special election, according to new polling released Wednesday. With about three weeks left in the race, Buchanan enjoys a three-point lead over attorney Good, 49 to 46 percent, in a St. Pete Polls survey of likely HD 72 voters conducted […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 23, 2018

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Republican House District 72 candidate James Buchanan is seeking “legal options” over a new ad from his Democratic opponent, which claims the Sarasota businessman is a climate change denier. In a statement Tuesday, Buchanan’s campaign blasts Margaret Good for “falsely accusing that Buchanan is opposed to climate change.” Buchanan said his pro-environment stance was “a […]

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2017

Ruta Jouniari is the second Democrat seeking the House District 72 seat vacated when Sarasota Republican Alex Miller abruptly resigned after less than a year in office. But with a series of sloppy, rookie mistakes, it is becoming increasingly clear that Jouniari, a community activist, may not be ready to serve, suggesting she has little-to-no […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 26, 2017

What’s in a day? For a Sarasota-area race, it could mean everything. In the recently announced special election for Florida House District 72, questions are beginning to emerge over the paperwork filed by Ruta Jouniari, who announced her candidacy earlier this week. The businesswoman and community activist is the second Democrat in the race for […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 1, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday set the dates for the special elections to replace former state Rep. Alex Miller, the Sarasota Republican whose resignation became effective today. The special primary election for House District 72 will be held on Dec. 5, and a special general election is set for next Feb. 13, Scott’s executive order says. That […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

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House District 72 Republican candidate Alex Miller has responded to criticism of the television ad touting her candidacy. She says if she wins Tuesday’s Republican primary, she’ll change it for the general election. Miller is a medical company executive running against veteran local TV news anchor John Hill for the District 72 seat, which covers north Sarasota […]

Drew WilsonMarch 21, 2016

House District 72 has drawn its first Republican candidate since current Rep. Ray Pilon announced he would vacate the seat to run for the Senate. Businesswoman Alexandra Miller filed Monday, joining Democrat Edward James in the race for the Sarasota County seat. “I’m not a politician. Like you, I am concerned for the future and […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

A pair of Sarasota legislative races saw major changes this past weekend. Rep. Ray Pilon decided to forgo a 2016 re-election bid for a fourth term in the House in favor of a Senate District 28 campaign, leaving his Democratic opponent Edward James running unopposed in a coastal swing seat. Pilon said Tuesday his decision came from the resolution […]

Tag: House District 72
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Video: Special election candidate struggles to answer where she’s from

Florida Democrats face three scenarios in upcoming special elections

New HD 72 polling puts James Buchanan, Margaret Good in virtual tie

James Buchanan calls Democrat Margaret Good to take down ‘false’ HD 72 ad

Ruta Jouniari missteps show aimless, sure-to-lose campaign in HD 72

Details matter: Questions arise in Ruta Jouniari HD 72 filing

Rick Scott sets special election for House District 72

HD 72 Republican candidate Alex Miller apologizes for ‘One of Us’ campaign ad

Alex Miller becomes first Republican to enter race for Ray Pilon’s HD 72 seat

Ray Pilon jumps into Senate race; Edward James now unopposed in HD 72