Republican Bill Posey wins eighth term to represent Brevard County in Congress

Ralph Chapoco and Tyler Vazquez, Florida Today
·2 min read
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U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, will retain his seat in Congress after defeating his Democratic challenger, Joanne Terry, in Tuesday's election.

Posey received 64.92% of the vote and Terry had 35.08%.

This will be Posey's eighth two-year term.

Few political prognosticators gave Terry much of a chance to beat Posey for the 8th Congressional District, which includes all of Brevard and Indian River counties, along with part of eastern Orange County.

Posey went unchallenged by any other Republicans in a primary.

Terry, however, had to fight to secure her spot on the ballot in Tuesday's election. Terry faced off against fellow Democrat Danelle Dodge in an Aug. 23 primary, getting 54.57% of the vote, compared with 45.43% for Dodge.

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey and his wife, Katie, exit the Cocoa/Rockledge Garden Club in Rockledge, where they voted Tuesday morning. Posey won an eighth two-year term in Congress, defeating Democrat Joanne Terry in the 8th Congressional District race.
U.S. Rep. Bill Posey and his wife, Katie, exit the Cocoa/Rockledge Garden Club in Rockledge, where they voted Tuesday morning. Posey won an eighth two-year term in Congress, defeating Democrat Joanne Terry in the 8th Congressional District race.

In the end, the margins that Republicans have in both in Brevard and Indian River counties — as well as the power of incumbency that Posey has and his fundraising advantage — combined to help the congressman to victory again.

Terry, a Satellite Beach resident and a retired satellite systems engineer, was in her first run for elective office. She had volunteered for the campaign of Democrat Jim Kennedy, who unsuccessfully challenged Posey two years ago.

Posey got his start in public service in 1982 as a Rockledge City Council member. After serving for 10 years, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1992, then was elected to the Florida Senate in 2000. He spent eight years there before getting elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008.

Candidate for Congress Joanne Terry waves to voters at Kiwanis Island on Merritt Island.
Candidate for Congress Joanne Terry waves to voters at Kiwanis Island on Merritt Island.

Neither the Cook Political Report nor Sabato Crystal Ball listed the district as even slightly competitive.

For one, the district is overwhelmingly conservative, with registered Republicans outnumbering those of other political parties significantly.

Timing, along with the national mood, has done little to help Terry.

For example, inflation has eaten into consumers’ purchasing power, and soured Democrats prospects for the cycle.

Posey also enjoys structural advantages as an incumbent after having spent many  years in Washington.

It is difficult to beat incumbents, with a sizable amount of money in their campaign war chests from the supporters they have won over during their time in office.

Members of Congress have a salary of $174,000 a year.

Ralph Chapoco is government and politics watchdog reporter. You can reach Chapoco at rchapoco@floridatoday.com and follow him on Twitter @rchapoco.

Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-917-7491 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Bill Posey wins eighth term to represent Brevard County in U.S. House