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Florida's 18th Congressional District elections, 2014

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U.S. House, Florida District 18 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPatrick Murphy Incumbent 59.8% 151,478
     Republican Carl Domino 40.2% 101,896
Total Votes 253,374
Source: Florida Division of Elections


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Florida's 18th Congressional District
General Election Date
November 4, 2014
Primary Date
August 26, 2014
November 4 Election Winner:
Patrick Murphy Democratic Party
Incumbent prior to election:
Patrick Murphy Democratic Party
Patrick Murphy (Florida).jpg
Race Ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean D[1]

Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean D[2]

Fairvote's Monopoly Politics: Toss Up[3]
Florida U.S. House Elections
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2014 U.S. Senate Elections
2014 U.S. House Elections
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The 18th Congressional District of Florida held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014.

BattlegroundRace.jpg

Incumbent Patrick Murphy was a vulnerable incumbent in 2014. In 2012, he defeated then-incumbent Allen West (R) to win the seat in a race that was too close to call for more than one week after the general election on November 6, 2012.[4][5]

Murphy easily defeated former state Rep. Carl Domino (R) in the general election.[6] Domino beat five other Republican challengers for the chance to face Murphy in November.

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
May 2, 2014
August 26, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Florida utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[7][8]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by July 28, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 6, 2014.[9]

See also: Florida elections, 2014

Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Patrick Murphy (D), who was first elected in 2012.

Florida's 18th Congressional District is located in eastern Florida and includes St. Lucie and Martin counties and a portion of Palm Beach County.[10]

Candidates

General election candidates


August 26, 2014, primary results

Democratic Party Democratic Primary

Republican Party Republican Primary

Failed to file

Withdrew from race

Declined to run

Election results

General election

U.S. House, Florida District 18 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPatrick Murphy Incumbent 59.8% 151,478
     Republican Carl Domino 40.2% 101,896
Total Votes 253,374
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Primary election

U.S. House, Florida District 18 Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngCarl Domino 38.4% 15,805
Alan Schlesinger 24.1% 9,920
Beverly Hires 14% 5,760
Brian Lara 13% 5,361
Calvin Turnquest 6.7% 2,757
Nick Wukoson 3.9% 1,594
Total Votes 41,197
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Race background

Incumbent Murphy was a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program in 2014. The program was designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents heading into the 2014 election.[24]

Republicans had a 2 percent edge in the district and Mitt Romney carried it with 52 percent in 2012.[25] Despite the Republican trend, Murphy defeated longtime incumbent Allen West even though he was vastly outspent.[25]

Murphy almost immediately began fundraising for 2014 and national Republicans listed him as one of their top targets. Unlike the incumbent he defeated, Murphy started off the race by "running to the center, playing up his bipartisan credentials."[25]

Despite his popularity with the national tea party movement, West opted against challenging Murphy in 2014. Many said this was due in part to the fact that Murphy would have had an easier time defeating his opponent in a rematch.[25] In theory, other Republican nominees should have had a better chance against the freshman Democrat in 2014.[25]

Murphy defeated Carl Domino (R) in the general election on November 4, 2014.

Key votes

Below are important votes the incumbent cast during the 113th Congress.

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Nay3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[26] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[27] Patrick Murphy voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[28]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[29] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Patrick Murphy voted for HR 2775.[30]

Issues

See also: Energy and the 2014 election: the ballots and beyond

Campaign issues

Patrick Murphy

Murphy's campaign website included these excerpts of his issues:

“
  • Health Care Reform: "The old system simply wasn’t working, where if you got sick you could get kicked off your insurance, and the Affordable Care Act achieved some important and tangible goals. However, it is clear that the law needs improvements so that it does not place unnecessary burdens American families and businesses that are still struggling as our economy recovers. I have supported several measures to address concerns with the rollout of the health care law, including repealing the medical device tax, delaying the business and individual mandates, and making sure that the promise is kept that if you like your plan you can keep it. This law is a big change and the bottom line is we have got to get this right. But I will not support going back to a time when persons with pre-existing conditions couldn’t get covered or reopening the donut hole for seniors."
  • Immigration & Border Security: "I believe undocumented workers that have otherwise observed our laws should be given a reasonable path to legality. This is a policy that historically was supported by Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Obama – all of whom have proposed ideas as to how to accomplish this."
  • Energy: "End the tax loopholes that let corporations hide profits overseas and invest those dollars in small businesses that create jobs here in America."

[31]

”
—Patrick Murphy's campaign website, http://www.patrickmurphyforcongress.com/issues/

Carl Domino

Domino's campaign website included these excerpts of his issues:

“
  • Obamacare: "There is almost no premise of Obamacare which can be defended. While sold as a method of increasing access to affordable health care it is actually a massive redistribution scheme. I will work for common sense health care reforms that put patients first and that will increase access and affordability by supporting free-market reform and fighting to keep government from further encroaching on our personal lives."
  • Immigration & Border Security: "Any reform of immigration must begin with securing our borders.
My grandparents immigrated to this country to seek the American dream. We are a country built by immigrants. To those without opportunity around the world, America remains the bastion of freedom and economic opportunity. It is no wonder that they want to become American citizens. It is a sign of the greatness of our country. But one of our greatest strengths is adherence to the rule of law.
Amnesty should not be available to those who break our laws. There is an existing program for granting citizenship for those who follow the rules – just as our forbearers did. We must, immediately secure our borders and send the strong message that illegal entry into this country will not be tolerated or rewarded."
  • Environment and the Indian River Lagoon: "During my time in the Florida House of Representatives, I was repeatedly recognized for my leadership and hard work to obtain funding for the reclamation of the Lake Worth Lagoon and environmental cleanup of the Loxahatchee River. This was done through the cooperation of the whole legislative delegation, both Democrats and Republicans. We also fought hard to fund the State's portion of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. As your Congressman, I will work hard to get appropriate federal funding to resolve the environmental degradation. Moreover I will work with state legislators to ensure that cleanup activities appropriately funded by the state are budgeted."

[31]

”
—Carl Domino's campaign website, https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.dominoforcongress.com/where_carl_stands

Train

All Aboard Florida, the planned Miami-to-Orlando private passenger train that was opposed by many voters in the district, became the center of attention in July 2014. Despite being a vocal critic, Murphy was accused by his Republican challengers of supporting the project.[32]

Cancelled event

A dinner and candidate forum that featured six Republicans who sought to challenge freshman incumbent Murphy was cancelled after only 22 people signed up to attend.[33] The Lipstick Republicans of the Treasure Coast organized the $20-a-head dinner.[33]

Media

Carl Domino

Carl Domino's first ad, "The Value of the Gift."

Domino released his first ad on July 29, 2014. The total radio and TV buy was $50,000.[34]

Polls

Potential general election match-up
Poll Patrick Murphy (D) Carl Domino (R)Adam Hasner (R)Margin of ErrorSample Size
Frederick Polls
October 6-8, 2013
 52%25%25%+/-5.6300
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Campaign contributions

According to reports from July 2013, incumbent Murphy raised more than $520,000 in the second quarter, bringing his cash on hand to more than $1 million for his re-election fight in 2014. He raised more than $1.07 million in 2013, which made him one of the top House fundraisers.[35]

Patrick Murphy

Carl Domino

Carl Domino (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
October Quarterly[44]October 16, 2013$0.00$190,961.63$(28,891.99)$162,069.64
Year End[45]January 31, 2014$162,069$205,503$(93,439)$274,133
April Quarterly[46]April 15, 2014$274,133$181,840$(68,300)$387,672
July Quarterly[47]July 15, 2014$387,672$27,804$(126,170)$289,306
Pre-Primary[48]August 14, 2014$289,306$10,240$(109,573)$189,972
October Quarterly[49]October 15, 2014$189,972$404,155$(509,537)$84,589
Pre-General[50]October 23, 2014$84,589$240,050$(218,872)$105,767
Running totals
$1,260,553.63$(1,154,782.99)

Calvin Turnquest

Calvin Turnquest (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
Year-End[51]January 31, 2014$0.00$10,500$(374)$10,125
April Quarterly[52]April 15, 2014$10,125$21,250$(26,734)$4,641
Running totals
$31,750$(27,108)

Alan Schlesinger

Ellen Andel

Beverly Joy Hires

Beverly Joy Hires (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[60]April 15, 2014$0$41,770$(39,820)$1,949
Running totals
$41,770$(39,820)

Brian Lara

Brian Lara (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[61]April 15, 2014$0$113,997$(10,762)$103,234
Running totals
$113,997$(10,762)

District history

Candidate ballot access
Ballot Access Requirements Final.jpg
Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

2012

On November 6, 2012, Patrick Murphy (D) won election to the United States House. He defeated Allen West (R) and Marilyn Davis Holloman (write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 18 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPatrick Murphy 50.3% 166,257
     Republican Allen West Incumbent 49.7% 164,353
     Write-In Marilyn Davis Holloman 0% 55
Total Votes 330,665
Source: Florida Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Roland A. Banciella (D) in the general election.[62]

U.S. House, Florida District 18 General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngIleana Ros-Lehtinen 68.9% 102,360
     Democratic Rolando A. Banciella 31.1% 46,235
Total Votes 148,595

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR June 26, 2014," accessed August 5, 2014
  2. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 House Races," accessed August 5, 2014
  3. ↑ Fairvote, "FairVote Releases Projections for the 2014 Congressional Elections," accessed August 5, 2014
  4. ↑ ABC News, "2012 General Election Results," accessed November 6, 2012
  5. ↑ Politico, "Allen West falls further behind," accessed November 18, 2012
  6. ↑ The Huffington Post, "Election 2014," November 4, 2014
  7. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 23, 2024
  8. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Closed Primary Election," accessed July 23, 2024
  9. ↑ Florida Division of Elections Website, "Register to Vote," accessed January 3, 2014
  10. ↑ United States Census Bureau, "Counties by Congressional Districts," accessed June 8, 2016
  11. ↑ Palm Beach Post, "Calvin Turnquest enters GOP primary for Murphy congressional seat," accessed October 9, 2013
  12. ↑ Post on Politics, "Former GOP state Rep. Carl Domino says he’s running for Murphy’s congressional seat," accessed July 10, 2013
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Palm Beach Post, "Juno Beach Vice Mayor Ellen Andel to enter race for Murphy’s congressional seat," accessed May 8, 2013
  14. ↑ TC Palm, "Possible Congressional District 18 candidates," accessed January 13, 2014
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Florida Election Division, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed January 28, 2013
  16. ↑ Florida Secretary of State, "Candidate List," accessed February 15, 2014
  17. ↑ Send Lara to Congress, "Home," accessed February 15, 2014
  18. ↑ Frank Lynch for Congress, "Home," accessed April 5, 2014
  19. ↑ Florida Elections Division, "Candidate List," accessed April 5, 2014
  20. ↑ Post on Politics, "GOP congressional hopeful Ellen Andel, endorsed by Allen West, drops out of race for Murphy seat," accessed February 26, 2014
  21. ↑ TC Palm, "Juno Beach official announces run for Rep. Murphy's congressional seat," accessed May 8, 2013
  22. ↑ Palm Beach Post, "It’s official: Adam Hasner won’t challenge Patrick Murphy for Congress," accessed January 28, 2014
  23. ↑ Post on Politics, "State Rep. Gayle Harrell decides against bid for Murphy congressional seat," accessed August 29, 2013
  24. ↑ Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "DCCC Chairman Steve Israel Announces 2013-2014 Frontline Members," March 5, 2013
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 Sunshine State News "Florida Congressional Races 2014 Early Look Where Fur will Fly" accessed March 8, 2013
  26. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  27. ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  28. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  29. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  30. ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  32. ↑ Palm Beach Post, "All Aboard Florida emerges as issue in race for Murphy’s congressional seat," accessed July 14, 2014
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Post on Politics, "Lack of ‘wow factor’ leads to cancellation of $20 dinner with six GOP candidates for Murphy seat," accessed July 9, 2014
  34. ↑ Palm Beach Post: Post on Politics, "Domino launches TV, radio ads in GOP congressional primary for Murphy seat," accessed July 30, 2014
  35. ↑ The Hill, "Murphy raises $520k in second quarter" accessed July 9, 2013
  36. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed July 22, 2013
  37. ↑ Federal Election Commmission "July Quarterly," accessed July 22, 2013
  38. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 10, 2014
  39. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 21, 2014
  40. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Patrick Murphy July Quarterly," accessed September 30, 2014
  41. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Patrick Murphy Pre-Primary," accessed September 30, 2014
  42. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Patrick Murphy October Quarterly," accessed October 20, 2014
  43. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Patrick Murphy Pre-General," accessed November 24, 2014
  44. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 4, 2013
  45. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 24, 2014
  46. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 28, 2014
  47. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Carl Domino July Quarterly," accessed September 30, 2014
  48. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Carl Domino Pre-Primary," accessed September 30, 2014
  49. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Carl Domino October Quarterly," accessed October 22, 2014
  50. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Carl Domino Pre-General," accessed November 24, 2014
  51. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 24, 2014
  52. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 28, 2014
  53. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 29, 2013
  54. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 4, 2013
  55. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 24, 2014
  56. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 28, 2014
  57. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 29, 2013
  58. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 4, 2013
  59. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 19, 2014
  60. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 28, 2014
  61. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 28, 2014
  62. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
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