Unfortunately, this district is just slightly blue. A Progressive might have trouble winning it. R's slightly outnumber Ds, but a large amount of Is that trend D. Dem candidate would probably have to be DLC, but at least that would spur some action from state party...they would sit on their hands if a Progressive was running. Alex Sink expressed an interest, I think she'd win.

Here is a district map:
http://m.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/04/1213537/-FL-13-What-are-the-Issues-in-Congressman-Bill-Young-s-District-Congressional-Map-Included

The notch cut out during last redistricting represents downtown and S St Petersburg, which is about 90+% African-American. This was done to gerrymander Young a safe district. Still, the district had 52% support of Obama in '12. The AA community was added to Kathy Castor's 14th district, which was already solid Dem.

Where a Progressive could make in-roads in the 13th district is making SS and Medicare central issues. Still lots of retirees in 13th district, and any candidate proposing cuts is committing political suicide. Education is also important. Beach communities love Fed $ for beach renourishment, but those are condo commandos who'll vote Rep no matter what. Most of the district is low-lying, and flood ins is scheduled to soar in price...that could be an issue.

I absolutely believe that in many cases, the reason a district votes purple is because the Dems don't really offer a progressive alternative. You know--that old Harry Truman thing--

"Given the choice between a Republican and someone who acts like a Republican, people will vote for the real Republican all the time."--HST

it could be worse... the article states that Rep Young evolved over the years (opinion of LGBT) and he was against the shutdown... hope there will be a strong Democratic candidate

Not much of an evolution, if you ask me.

in both elections, Gravity.

That is, if the district voted for Obama twice.

That would mean that Democrats have a strong chance at winning that seat.

no one like Obama..

I kid..

He's one of a kind and we're lucky to have him, Cha.

...so all the other members of the Johns Committee were Democrats. It was an ugly period in Florida's history.

"A special election will be held to finish Mr. Young’s term."

"President Obama carried the district 52 percent to 46 percent in the 2012 presidential race, while Mr. Young beat the Democratic challenger, Jessica Ehrlich, 58 percent to 42 percent. Ms. Ehrlich has declared her candidacy for 2014. Beverly Young has told the local media that she would run for the seat if Ms. Ehrlich’s name is on the ballot."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/19/us/politics/c-w-bill-young-longtime-florida-congressman-dies-at-82.html

Gooo Ehrlich, take it home!!

There are several other Dems exploring options. Not a lot of R interest. Sink would win in a landslide.

Gooo Alex Sink. Take the house. It is ripe for the taking

You have my hopes up, hope the widow isn't serious or likes Sink. What did Ehrlich do them? Haha politics is rough.

Political newcomer, I think she's a lawyer. She did better than most challengers, with zero finding. State and National party never bothered to put any resources whatsoever into that seat, even as the district changed from slightly red to slightly blue.

I'll even donate. We need a democratic majority in the house. Boehner is promising more appeasement to extremists and no leadership.

District is a bit blue now. St Pete's repuke mayor trailing in polls, Dem challenger likely will win.

As much as I like Sink, the setting up of a post office box to qualify as a resident in a district strikes me as an end run around the rules. I don't like it no matter which side does it.

Now that was before Young died, and she was mulling over running for the seat in '14.* I don't know if moving the calender up for a special election changes that.

* per TBT article of a week ago.

from 9am to 3pm.

Has to be

Good riddance to this old miserable fucking bastard. Too bad he lived this long.

Alex Sink would make a good candidate and is very well connected down there. Just needs a little bit of money to ward off an area the GOP will fight like mad not to lose. Very good opportunity for us to pick up another seat.

will run for Young's seat if we want to win that seat, and ultimately, the House, from the radical Rightwing-loons.

It's awful early, but this is the sort of news I like reading. I think it would be GREAT if we could put Nancy Pelosi back as Speaker of the House, and let the bar cleaner go back to wherever the hell he came from.