Hastings, Deutch, Wasserman Schultz win re-election

Sun-Sentinel

By Heather Carney, Sun Sentinel

South Florida voters returned three prominent Democratic incumbents to the U.S. House on Tuesday.

District 20

Democrat Alcee Hastings, 72, retained his seat with a wide margin. He defeated Randall Terry, an out-of-state, anti-abortion activist.

“This year’s election was one of the most critical in recent memory,” said Hastings. “I remain firmly committed to improving the lives of middle class and working poor Americans, as well as addressing the enormous challenges facing our nation.”

Hastings, who has represented South Florida in Congress for more than 20 years, said he will try to reduce waste and fraud by eliminating defense programs that are ineffective or unnecessary.

He supports the Affordable Care Act and favors ending tax cuts for families making more than $250,000 per year. He said he will oppose any efforts to turn Medicare into a voucher program and opposed replacing Medicaid with a state block grant program.

Hastings serves as co-chairman of the Democratic Caucus’ Jobs Task Force and favors providing targeted tax cuts to small business.

“Together, we will work to create new jobs; make the United States a world leader in clean energy; increase access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans; improve our education system; and keep our country safe,” he said in a statement. “And together, we will move Florida and our entire nation forward.”

District 21

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Democrat, is the winner for the newly drawn congressional district, which stretches from Coral Springs to Wellington along Florida’s Turnpike.

He had a wide margin of victory over Cesar Henao, 35, and Michael Trout, 53, both of whom ran without party affiliation.

“I’m so excited to get back to work for the residents,” said Deutch. “We talked to so many voters about issues that matter to them and standing up for their values. I’m so proud that those people believed in me.”

Deutch, 46, is an attorney who lives in Boca Raton. He was elected to the Florida Senate in 2006 and left for Congress in 2010 when U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler resigned his seat.

In Congress, he passed legislation that expands sanction on Iran’s energy sector.

District 23

Democratic National Committee chairwoman U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz held onto her House seat for a fifth term.

She defeated Republican Karen Harrington, 48, a restaurateur from Davie for a second time. Harrington’s first bid failed two years ago.

“It’s absolutely exhilarating. I’m proud to be given the opportunity to serve my constituents in the nation’s capital,” said Wasserman Schultz. “The support all across the district was overwhelming.

Wasserman Schultz said she wants Congress to maintain focus on the economy and job creation while adding solvency to Medicare and Social Security. She’s also worked on securing funding for Everglades restoration.