There was no surprise that the Florida LGBT Democratic Caucus endorsed long-time gay rights supporter Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Why?
Well, considering that Wasserman Schultz is running unopposed in her Democratic congressional primary race, the show of support from the equal rights Democratic group was a no-brainer.
Wasserman Schultz did have a primary challenge in Tim Canova, but the college professor decided that his chances of beating ‘DWS’ were greater if he ran as an Independent candidate.
That will remain to be seen as Canova will also have to campaign for votes against whomever wins the Republican congressional race between Joe Kaufman, Carlos Reyes, and Carla Spalding.
Spalding has outraised the entire field of candidates last quarter, including ‘DWS, and appears to be the heavy favorite among grassroots activists.
Kaufman is running for the fourth straight election cycle, while Reyes, a popular attorney with deep pockets and connections within the GOP apparatus, has garnered the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Reyes’ endorsement by the FOP came as a surprise because the group had previously backed Wasserman Schultz. Now the FOP favors Reyes’ over ‘DWS.’
In the end, Canova could split enough Democratic voters away from Wasserman Schultz to make her extremely vulnerable, possibly opening the door for the Republican, whomever that will be.
For the Republican to win, he or she will have to hope that the GOP voter base comes out in droves and that Independents against Canova and Wasserman Schultz.