State Legislature: Butterworth Senate bid falls short

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida's top Democratic official appeared to be losing a bid to join the Legislature, and most state Senate and House incumbents were headed for re-election Tuesday in contests many said were over before they started because of redistricting.

In a race many expected to be closer, Democratic Attorney General Bob Butterworth was losing his challenge to Republican Rep. Jeff Atwater for a Senate seat covering parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

With 83 percent of the precincts counted, Atwater was leading, 54 percent to 46 percent.

The term limits law forced Butterworth out of the attorney general's job.

While all 160 legislative seats were up for election, redistricting led to few competitive races.

Lawmakers and analysts say that was a result of the redistricting the Legislature undertook earlier this year, an exercise that largely protected incumbents.

Three Democratic incumbents appeared to be heading for defeat, however, strengthening the GOP's grip on the Legislature.

In the upper chamber, Democratic Sen. Richard Mitchell was ousted by House veteran Nancy Argenziano.

In the House, Sara Romeo, D-Tampa, was on the verge of being ousted by GOP challenger Ed Homan. And Rep. Perry McGriff, D-Gainesville, was trailing Republican Larry Cretul in a virtual dead heat.

With all precincts counted, Cretul had a 38-vote edge, 25,740 to 25,702, both claiming 48 percent of the vote. Ronald B. Johnson, Libertarian, played the spoiler with 1,904 votes, or 4 percent.

The Democrats did get one seat back. In an Orlando area race, Democrat Sheri McInvale defeated Republican Patrick Howell.

Party control of the Legislature wasn't at stake, with Republicans already firmly in control of both chambers. The GOP started with a 77-43 majority in the House, and in the Senate held a 25-15 edge coming in.

The incoming Senate president, Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, easily beat his Democratic challenger, political newcomer Andy Wojcicki, 66 percent to 34 percent.