SD 16 GOP Primary Goes the Wire

Representatives Frank Farkas and Kim Berfield, their supporters, and their allies (in the case of the Berfield) are working hard to win the right to face Rep. Charlie Justice in the general election.

Berfield is considered to be the frontrunner. She has raised more money and is also benefitting by indepedent expenditures, some touting some questionable credentials - including "supporting" a measure to spend more money in the classroom that she actually voted against. Perhaps more importantly, she has benefitted by allegations against her opponent of ethical improprieties involving a junket paid for by gambling lobbyists.

The Florida Democratic Party, which has targeted the district as the best chance this year to pick up a state senate seat, is running ads against Berfield. The Florida Republican Party is claiming that this means they would rather face Farkas in a general election, but might just as easily reflect the reality that Berfield is the likely winner of the GOP contest.