Much was understandably made of the election of Amanda Murphy, a Democrat, winning that special election to replace moderate Republican Mike Fasano in west Pasco’s Florida House District 36. It’s a swing district that the Republican Party worked hard (fundraising) to keep–and thwart any incipient Democratic momentum in the direction of a political reset button. Murphy’s 305-vote win over Bill Gunter, aided in no small way by Fasano’s endorsement, can be seen as a refutation of Republican ideological priorities–most notably the refusal to expand Medicaid aid–and a personal rebuke to House Speaker “Won’t” Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
But more context is needed. The turnout was less than 20 percent. Four out of five eligible District 36 voters were not motivated enough by the message-sending opportunity to even vote. Alas, that is still the ultimate message–and not a harbinger for meaningful inroads into the Republicans’ 75-45 advantage in the Florida House.