Democrat Amanda Murphy wins seat in Florida special election as exiting Republican can’t endorse GOP candidate
Democrat Amanda Murphy won a special election to the Florida House this week, riding the endorsement from exiting Republican Mike Fasano to edge out the GOP candidate Bill Gunter.
The results are unofficial has Murphy at 50.8%, which equates to approximately 305 votes.
“Tonight the big battle starts. I have big shoes to fill, and this district expects someone that’s going to take care of them,” Murphy said from a victory party in New Port Richey.
Fasano broke from the establishment by revealing he voted for Murphy.
“He was a huge swing in the votes,” Murphy said of Fasano. “He really pulled in the (independent voters) and Republicans too, because they believe in him and believe he is an honest person.”
The Republican collected tens of thousands of dollars in contributions from Tallahassee interests which became a topic of debate, pointing to Gunter’s possible corruption. Gunter raked in nearly three times as much as Murphy.
Gunter’s website only offered one page with limit information on the candidate and not public statement on the loss.
The election was set up when Fasano resigned in August to become Pasco’s tax collector.
Fasano attended Murphy’s party and tweeted, after her victory was sealed, “The little guy and gal spoke tonight. Let’s hope Tallahassee hears them.”