Area 1,158 sq mi (3,000 km) Population (2000) 639,295 | Distribution 91.7% urban
8.3% rural Median income 41,568 | |
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Current Representative Daniel Webster (R–Winter Park) Ethnicity 69.9% White
7.2% Black
3.0% Asian
17.6% Hispanic
0.3% Native American
0.3% other | ||
Florida's 8th U.S. congressional district is located in central Florida. Florida's 8th district is located in parts of Orange County, Lake County, Marion County and Osceola County. Most of Orlando is in the district, including Walt Disney World. This district was represented by freshman Alan Grayson of the Democratic Party.
Contents
In 2008, Alan Grayson defeated then-incumbent Ric Keller by a four point margin (52%-48%). Grayson has been scrutinized by those who believe his explanation of the Republican Healthcare plan was inappropriate: "1. Don't Get Sick, 2. And if you do get sick... 3. Die Quickly". Grayson also drew fire a brief attempt to characterize Webster as "Taliban Dan" for his more conservative ideas on women's rights in a television ad.
Primary
In the Florida Primary election, Grayson ran unopposed. The Republicans chose former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Daniel Webster from a list of four other Republicans. Dan Webster won the primary with 40.2% of the vote or 24,723 votes.
General election
Daniel Webster ultimately won the general election by a margin of nearly 18 percentage points, unseating Alan Grayson after one term.