On Friday in Florida, the Republicans effectively won both state legislative houses without the benefit of an election. The candidates who faced no opposition in November instantly won reelection, with 55 of 120 House members and 9 out of 20 state Senate automatically returning. Challengers would rather wait out the eight year term limit until a seat is open than face a well-financed incumbent who has name recognition. From the St. Petersburg Times:
"The system is rigged," said Ben Wilcox of
Common Cause Florida, a group long critical of the way legislative districts are drawn and the power of special interest fund-raising. "You're supposed to have a choice."
Because of term limits, and the big money granted to incumbents, many Florida voters are left without a choice.
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