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Florida 16th District

Candidates

Tom Rooney

Tom Rooney (R)

Bio | Campaign Site

Tim Mahoney*

Tim Mahoney* (D)

Bio | Campaign Site

Florida Snapshot

RCP House Ranking: Leans GOP

Presidential Race: Obama (D) vs. McCain (R)
House Races: FL-8 | FL-16 | FL-21 | FL-24 | FL-25

Key 2006 State Races: Gov | FL-13 | FL-16 | FL-22

2004 President: Kerry (D) vs. Bush (R)
2004 Senate: Castor (D) vs. Martinez (R)

Race Summary

Tim Mahoney won this Republican-leaning district in 2006 after GOP Rep. Mark Foley resigned in disgrace a month before the election. The GOP tilt to the district made Mahoney an instant target for Republicans, three of whom battled for the nomination in the August 26 primary. Attorney Tom Rooney defeated state Rep. Gayle Harrell and Palm Beach Gardens city councilman Hal Valeche.

Mahoney had so far survived saying that his job as a member of Congress wasn't the best job he's ever had, and his moderate voting record looked as if it would hold him in good stead. But a late-breaking scandal -- reported three weeks before the election -- involving a $121,000 payoff to a former mistress is the type of thing that gets one knocked out of office. Mahoney's re-election chances now appear doomed.

Previous Election Results

House
2006: Mahoney (D) 50, Negron (R) 48
2004: Foley (R) 68, Fisher (D) 32
2002: Foley (R) 79, McLain (I) 21

President
2004: Bush (R) 54, Kerry (D) 46
2000: Bush (R) 53, Gore (D) 47