Possible Election Decision Delay Puts New Focus On Florida Congressional Races
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/Capitol News Service) -- Concern that there may not be a decision election night is putting a new focus on congressional elections in Florida and elsewhere.
If neither Presidential candidate receives 270 electoral votes, the ultimate decision would be up to the U.S. House or Representatives.
Florida has 14 Republican members of the U.S. House and 13 Democrats.
"That is really significant if no candidate gets 270 electoral college votes, and then the election of the President kicks in to the U.S. House of Representatives," said retired USF political scientist Susan MacManus.
Two of the state's 27 seats seem to be in play: House District 15 in Polk, where the incumbent lost a primary, and House District 26, which is held by Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Mucarsel-Powell's seat is seen as the most vulnerable. She's facing a strong challenge from Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
Florida Republicans are putting on a full court press.
"You get one vote, and around the country now, it's 26-24 in terms of states that have majority Republican delegations. And that makes the House of Representatives more important than ever," said U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz.
RELATED: Florida Election Officials Say Focus Is 'Getting This Right'
"Not since 1824 has the U.S. House decided who would be president," said MacManus. That's when it chose John Quincy Adams, who lost the popular vote over Andrew Jackson.
"Everything seems to be a long shot. It's just one of the most unpredictable Presidential contests," said MacManus.
It almost happened in 2000.
The Florida House went so far as to name GOP electors just in case Florida's election outcome and the outcome of the race was still tied up in court.
(©2020 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Mike Vasalinda of the Capitol News Service contributed to this report.)
