Webster will run elsewhere

WEST ORANGE COUNTY  Rep. Daniel Webster (R), who has represented much of West Orange County in Florida’s 10th District from a base in Winter Garden, has announced his decision to run for election in an expanded 11th District this year.

“I'm running for another term in Congress because there is still much to be done to reform the process and fix what is broken in Washington,” Webster said. “For the past five years, I have fought to change the power-based, staff-driven congressional process into one based upon principles. Last year, I ran for speaker against John Boehner and the powerful Washington establishment because I believe that our country deserves a legislative process that works.”

Webster’s home in Lake County allows him to stake a claim in this year’s 11th District race, where several are hoping to replace retiring Rep. Richard Nugent (R). District 11 now includes Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties, as well as parts of Lake and Marion counties, including about 30% of this district Webster has represented in his time as District 10 representative.

The map of District 10 now includes only the westernmost 60.8% of Orange County’s population, including all of West Orange. Added to the district are northwest Orange County — including Apopka — and a larger portion of Orlando than Webster ever represented. This latter area drastically alters the voting tendencies of District 10, making it a mostly minority district and improbable for a conservative to win in a way that should be illegal, Webster said. The 10th District Webster has represented consists of mostly suburban or rural areas with large conservative, white communities.

This leaves three candidates — all Democrats — for the 2016 District 10 race: former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, Orlando lawyer Fatima Fahmy and District 12 State Sen. Geraldine Thompson.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].