2014 Florida's 19th congressional district special election

none February 2026 May 2014 2014 Florida's 19th congressional district special election Florida by-election Florida's 19th congressional district no United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2012#District 19 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2014#District 19 2014 June 24, 2014 File:Curt Clawson.jpg 150x150px Curt Clawson Republican Party (United States) 66,922 66.93% 3x4.svg April Freeman Democratic Party (United States) 29,314 29.32% File:Florida 19th District.png 250px County resultsClawson: #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% U.S. Representative Trey Radel Republican Party (United States) Curt Clawson Republican Party (United States) The 2014 special election for Florida's 19th congressional district was held on June 24, 2014, following party primary elections which were held on April 22. The election was held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Trey Radel from the United States House of Representatives. Radel resigned on January 27, 2014, two months after he was arrested for possession of cocaine. Curt Clawson was elected as the new U.S. Representative. Background On October 29, 2013, Radel was arrested in the District of Columbia for purchasing 3.5 g of cocaine from an undercover officer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25099031 Trey Radel: Florida Republicans urge cocaine congressman to quit November 25, 2013 BBC News November 26, 2013 He did not inform House Republicans about the arrest.Marty Robin https://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/trey-radel-resignation-102642.html Trey Radel to resign House seat Politico January 27, 2014 Less than a month later, Radel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of possession of cocaine and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation.https://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/trey-radel-cocaine-possession-pleads-guilty-100121.html Trey Radel pleads guilty to cocaine possession Politico Sherman Jake November 20, 2013 November 20, 2013 The charge "would have been a felony had it happened in his home state," according to Terry Miller, the Republican chairman in Lee County, Florida.http://wyso.org/post/defying-gop-leaders-rep-trey-radel-wont-resign-after-rehab Defying GOP Leaders, Rep. Trey Radel Won't Resign After Rehab WYSO January 27, 2014 Radel announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from Congress to undergo addiction rehabilitation and that he would be donating his salary to charity during his absence.Sherman Jake Trey Radel taking leave of absence from Congress https://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/trey-radel-leave-of-absence-congress-cocaine-100183.html Politico November 20, 2013 Following his announcement, the Republican Party of Florida and Governor Rick Scott called on Radel to "resign immediately" and "focus his attention on rehabilitation and his family".http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/republicans-gear-replace-trey-radel-congress Republicans Gear Up to Replace Trey Radel in Congress Sunshine State News Henderson Jeff November 28, 2013 November 29, 2013 April 8, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220408085615/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/republicans-gear-replace-trey-radel-congress dead Radel returned to Congress in January 2014, vowing to continue to serve. The House Ethics Committee began an investigation. On January 27, he decided to announce his resignation, effective that evening.Ledyard King https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/01/27/trey-radel-resign-congress-cocaine/4934741/ Rep. Trey Radel to resign after drug plea USA Today 27 January 2014 January 27, 2014 Scott set April 22 as the date for the primary election, and June 24 for the general election.https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/197164-gov-scott-sets-special-election-to-replace-radel/ Gov. Scott sets special election to replace Radel The Hill January 31, 2014 May 5, 2014 Republican primary The News-Press described the Republican primary—the real contest in this heavily Republican district—as "a decidedly negative affair, with hyperbolic accusations and character assassination floated freely in television ads, mailers and news stories bombarding Southwest Florida voters." With "no difference on the issues among the three major candidates", Benacquisto, Clawson and Kreegel all attacked each other, with Benacquisto attacked for being "liberal" and an ex-Democrat; Clawson as an uncaring businessman who laid off workers and drove his company into bankruptcy; and Kreegel as a "win-at-all-costs conniver" who violated election laws. Dreikorn, was considered to have little chance and largely refrained from attacking his fellow candidates, calling for an end to the "political infighting".Ledyard King http://www.news-press.com/article/20140322/NEWS0107/303220016/Dirty-politics-Republican-primary-House-takes-nasty-turn Dirty politics: Republican primary for House takes nasty turn The News-Press March 21, 2014 April 9, 2014August 2026 InternetArchiveBot In April 2014, Benacquisto, Dreikorn and Kreegel attacked Clawson over his links to convicted child molester Glen Borst, who was a childhood friend of Clawson and whose last known address was a house in Utah that Clawson owned.Kevin Derby http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/curt-clawson-faces-heat-over-ties-child-molester Curt Clawson Faces Heat Over Ties to Child Molester Sunshine State News April 8, 2014 April 9, 2014 Clawson dismissed the attacks as "politically driven... that just couldn't be further from the truth" and the mother of Borst's victim asked them to stop, calling the politicization of the issue "disturb[ing] and disgust[ing]".Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2014/apr/08/clawson-opponent-child-assault-benacquisto-kreegel/ Curt Clawson opponents call for him to explain ties to child assaulter; he responds Naples News April 8, 2014 April 9, 2014 April 11, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140411015205/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2014/apr/08/clawson-opponent-child-assault-benacquisto-kreegel/ deadHeather Wysocki http://www.news-press.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/08/election-2014-rivals-link-clawson-to-sex-offender/7492565/ Rivals link Clawson to sex offender; victim's mother asks them to stop The News-Press April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 Benacquisto, Dreikorn and Kreegel hosted a press conference on April 9 to demand answers from Clawson, who made an impromptu and surprise appearance. After Clawson made his case, all four candidates pledged to stop attacking each other.Greg Stanley http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2014/apr/09/curt-clawson-speaks-out-attends-presser-hosted-gop/ Curt Clawson speaks out, attends press conference hosted by GOP opponents Naples News April 9, 2014 April 10, 2014 April 16, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140416175742/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2014/apr/09/curt-clawson-speaks-out-attends-presser-hosted-gop/ dead Clawson won the primary with 38% of the vote. Candidates Declared Lizbeth Benacquisto, state senatorMarc Caputo http://atr.rollcall.com/chauncey-goss-not-running-for-radel-seat/ Goss Out, Benacquisto Running For Radel Seat (Updated) Roll Call February 3, 2014 February 3, 2014 February 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140221024311/http://atr.rollcall.com/chauncey-goss-not-running-for-radel-seat/ dead Curt Clawson, businessmanJaffe Alexandra January 27, 2014 Crowded field forming to succeed Radel https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/196503-crowded-field-already-forming-to-succeed-radel/ The Hill January 27, 2014 Michael Dreikorn, businessmanhttp://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanList.asp Candidates and Races - Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State Election.dos.state.fl.us May 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20100831154715/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanList.asp August 31, 2010 dead mdy-all http://www.dreikornforcongress.com https://web.archive.org/web/20140301172129/http://www.dreikornforcongress.com/ dead March 1, 2014 Florida's 19th District Dreikorn For Congress May 5, 2014 Paige Kreegel, former state representative and candidate for the seat in 2012Peter Schorsch http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/lizbeth-benacquisto-paige-kreegel-and-running-southwest-florida-congressional-special-election Benacquisto, Kreegel Off and Running in SW Florida Congressional Special Election Sunshine State News February 3, 2014 February 3, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140220213626/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/lizbeth-benacquisto-paige-kreegel-and-running-southwest-florida-congressional-special-election February 20, 2014 dead mdy-all Declined Gary Aubuchon, former state representative and candidate for the seat in 2012Marc Caputo http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/11/us-rep-tray-radels-gop-primary-nightmare-fl-sen-republican-leader-lizbeth-benacquisto.html U.S. Rep. Trey Radel's GOP primary nightmare: FL Sen. Republican leader Lizbeth Benacquisto Miami Herald November 20, 2013 November 26, 2013 Byron Donalds, banker and candidate for the seat in 2012https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/politics/elections/byron-donalds-decides-not-to-run-for-congress-ep-312982098-341439621.html Byron Donalds decides not to run for Congress March 21, 2024 Naples News February 11, 2014 Chauncey Goss, political consultant, candidate for the seat in 2012 and son of former U.S. Representative Porter Goss Connie Mack IV, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012Marc Caputo http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20140129/NEWS01/140129006/Connie-Mack-won-t-run-Radel-s-vacated-seat Connie Mack won't run for Radel's vacated seat Tallahassee Democrat January 29, 2014 January 29, 2014 Gary Price, vice mayor of Naples Endorsements Lizbeth Benacquisto Politicians Gary Aubuchon, former state representative and candidate for the seat in 2012Derby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lizbeth-benacquisto-reels-gary-aubuchons-endorsement Gary Aubuchon backs Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress Sunshine State News March 6, 2014 May 5, 2014 Diane Black, U.S. Representative (R-TN)http://atr.rollcall.com/house-republican-women-endorse-in-florida-special-primary/?dcz= House Republican Women Endorse in Florida Special Primary | At the Races Atr.rollcall.com May 5, 2014 April 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140429213946/http://atr.rollcall.com/house-republican-women-endorse-in-florida-special-primary/?dcz= dead Matt Caldwell, state representativehttp://lizbethforcongress.com/endorsements/ Conservatives Trust Lizbeth Benacquisto April 21, 2014 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20140418004525/http://lizbethforcongress.com/endorsements/ April 18, 2014 Jason Chaffetz, U.S. Representative (R-UT)Nielsen Allison http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/rep-jason-chaffetz-endorses-lizbeth-benacquisto Rep. Jason Chaffetz Endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto Sunshine State News February 28, 2014 May 5, 2014 Mario Díaz-Balart, U.S. Representative (R-FL)Derby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lizbeth-benacquisto-gets-backing-florida-congressmen Tom Rooney and Mario Diaz-Balart back Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress Sunshine State News March 10, 2014 May 5, 2014 Dane Eagle, state representativeDerby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lizbeth-benacquisto-endorsed-dane-eagle-cd-19 Dane Eagle endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress Sunshine State News March 11, 2014 May 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140520003200/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lizbeth-benacquisto-endorsed-dane-eagle-cd-19 May 20, 2014 dead mdy-all Mike Huckabee, former governor of ArkansasDerby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/mike-huckabee-backs-lizebth-benacquisto-cd-19 Mike Huckabee endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress Sunshine State News April 7, 2014 May 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140408223355/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/mike-huckabee-backs-lizebth-benacquisto-cd-19 April 8, 2014 dead mdy-all Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska and 2008 vice presidential nomineehttp://www.news-press.com/article/20140404/NEWS0107/304040029/Sarah-Palin-joins-Naples-fundraiser-Benacquisto Sarah Palin joins Naples fundraiser for Benacquisto | The News-Press news-press.com May 5, 2014 August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Sandra Mortham, former Secretary of State of FloridaDerby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/republicans-try-woo-conservatives-cd-19 Republicans try to woo conservatives in CD 19 Sunshine State News February 27, 2014 May 5, 2014 Kathleen Passidomo, state representative Garrett Richter, state senatorDerby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/garrett-richter-backs-lizbeth-benacquisto-congress Garrett Richter backs Lizbeth Benacquisto's bid for Congress Sunshine State News February 11, 2014 May 5, 2014 Ray Rodrigues, state representative Francis Rooney, former United States Ambassador to the Holy SeeDerby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/francis-rooney-backs-lizbeth-benacquisto-cd-19 Citing pro-life positions, Francis Rooney backs Lizbeth Benacquisto in CD 19 Sunshine State News March 25, 2014 May 5, 2014 Tom Rooney, U.S. Representative (R-FL) Aaron Schock, U.S. Representative (R-IL)Jay Newton-Small https://time.com/73898/republican-women-midterm-elections/ Lizbeth Benacquisto is Latest Republican Woman to Fall Short TIME April 23, 2014 May 5, 2014 Ann Wagner, U.S. Representative (R-MO) and former United States Ambassador to Luxembourg Organizations Maggie's ListDerby Kevin http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lizbeth-benacquisto-backed-maggies-list-cd-19 Conservative PAC Maggie's List backs Lizbeth Benacquisto in CD 19 Sunshine State News February 26, 2014 May 5, 2014 Susan B. Anthony ListWysocki Heather http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2014/02/20/pair-of-congressional-hopefuls-nab-endorsements/5628495/ Pair of congressional hopefuls nab endorsements News Press February 20, 2014 May 5, 2014 Curt Clawson Politicians Connie Mack IV, former U.S. Representative (R-FL)http://atr.rollcall.com/connie-mack-endorses-in-special-election-for-his-old-seat/ Connie Mack Endorses in Special Election for Radel's Seat | At the Races Atr.rollcall.com May 5, 2014 April 20, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140420014433/http://atr.rollcall.com/connie-mack-endorses-in-special-election-for-his-old-seat/ dead Rand Paul, U.S. Senator (R-KY)http://atr.rollcall.com/rand-paul-endorses-in-race-to-replace-trey-radel/ Rand Paul Endorses in Race to Replace Trey Radel | At the Races Atr.rollcall.com May 5, 2014 April 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140421103504/http://atr.rollcall.com/rand-paul-endorses-in-race-to-replace-trey-radel/ dead Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative (R-MN)http://www.saintpetersblog.com/michelle-bachmann-endorses-curt-clawson-in-cd-19-primary Michelle Bachmann endorses Curt Clawson in CD 19 primary SaintPetersBlog April 18, 2014 May 5, 2014 Organizations Tea Party Expresshttp://www.teapartyexpress.org/7557/tea-party-express-endorses-curt-clawson-for-floridas-19th-congressional-district-special-election Endorses Curt Clawson for Florida's 19th Congressional District Special Election Tea Party Express May 5, 2014 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LizbethBenacquisto CurtClawson MichaelDreikorn PaigeKreegel UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 14–16, 2014 669 ± 3.8% 19% 38% 18% 17% 7%St. Pete PollsSt. Pete Polls April 9, 2014 759 ± 3.6% 25.5% 29.8% 11% 21.3% 12.3% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LizbethBenacquisto ChaunceyGoss PaigeKreegel ConnieMack IV UndecidedSt. Pete PollsSt. Pete Polls January 27, 2014 1,284 ± 2.7% 32.5% 15.3% 9.6% 22.3% 20.3% Results Republican primary resultsApril 22, 2014 Special Primary Congressional 19 Republican Primary https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=4/22/2014&RACE=USR&PARTY=REP&DIST=019&GRP=&DATAMODE= Florida Department of Elections July 24, 2026 Curt Clawson Republican Party (United States) 26,897 38.26% Lizbeth Benacquisto Republican Party (United States) 18,052 25.68% Michael Dreikorn Republican Party (United States) 17,789 25.30% Paige Kreegel Republican Party (United States) 7,564 10.76% 70,302 100.00% General election Candidates Curt Clawson (Republican), businessman April Freeman (Democratic), businesswoman and former Republican political activisthttp://www.lehighacrescitizen.com/page/content.detail/id/529763/Town-hall-guests--Democrats-vying-for-two-congressional-districts-in-Lehigh-guests--at-Jan--21-meeting.html Town hall guests: Democrats vying for two congressional districts in Lehigh guests at Jan. 21 meeting Leigh Acres Citizen January 15, 2014 April 9, 2014 Ray Netherwood (Libertarian)http://www.news-press.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/21/district-19-congressional-repubublican-primary-roundup/7968529/ District 19 congressional Republican primary roundup The News-Press April 21, 2014 April 22, 2014 Timothy Rossano (write-in)http://archive.news-press.com/livestream/article/20140225/NEWS01/302250038/Replay-Republican-congressional-debate-19th-District-seat Replay: Republican congressional debate for 19th District seat The News-Press February 25, 2014 April 22, 2014 2022 Florida's 19th congressional district special election resultsJune 24, 2014 Special Election: United States Representative District: 19 https://results.elections.myflorida.com/SummaryRpt.asp?ElectionDate=6/24/2014&Race=FED&DATAMODE= Florida Department of Elections July 24, 2026 Curt Clawson Republican Party (United States) 66,922 66.93% April Freeman Democratic Party (United States) 29,314 29.32% Ray Netherwood Libertarian Party (United States) 3,729 3.73% Write-ins 24 0.02% 99,989 100.00% Republican Party (United States) By county County Curt ClawsonRepublican April FreemanDemocratic Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total # % # % # % # % Collier (part) 16,866 73.41% 5,328 23.19% 782 3.40% 11,538 50.22% 22,976 Lee (part) 50,056 64.99% 23,986 31.15% 2,971 3.86% 26,070 33.84% 77,013Totals66,92266.92%29,31429.32%3,7533.75%37,60837.60%99,989 References 30em Florida 2014 19 2014 19 Special Florida 19 Special United States House of Representatives 19 Special Category:United States House of Representatives special elections in Florida