Democrats net 1 seat gain in Florida

Democrats gained two Florida congressional seats Tuesday and sought more, but a Republican challenger also ousted a Democratic incumbent.

Rep. Tim Mahoney, a Palm Beach Gardens Democrat, lost after getting embroiled in an adultery scandal. Two years ago, he replaced Republican Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned after being accused of sending risque Internet messages to male House pages.

Republican Tom Rooney, a Stuart lawyer whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, unseated Mahoney. With 88 percent of the expected vote counted, Rooney had 61 percent to 39 percent for Mahoney.

Two GOP incumbents lost in central Florida.

Rep. Tom Feeney of Oviedo, who apologized to his 24th District constituents for his close ties to imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff, lost to former state Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, a New Smyrna Beach Democrat. With 93 percent of the expected vote counted Kosmas had 57 percent while Feeney had 41 percent.

Democrat Alan Grayson, an Orlando businessman and lawyer, defeated Republican Rep. Ric Keller of Orlando. With all of the expected vote counted, Grayson had 52 percent to Keller's 48 percent.

Going into Election Day, Republicans held 16 of Florida's 25 U.S. House seats. All GOP-held districts and seven Democratic seats were contested. Two Democrats were re-elected without opposition.

Democrats also targeted two Republican brothers from Miami. One easily won re-election, but the other was in a close race.

With 73 percent of the expected vote counted, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart had 58 percent to defeat former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, a Democrat, who had 42 percent in the 21st District.

In the 25th District, with 68 percent of the expected vote counted, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart had 51 percent and Democrat Joe Garcia, a former Florida Public Service Commission chairman, had 49 percent.

Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan was re-elected in a rematch of 2006's disputed election against Democrat Christine Jennings. Both are from Sarasota. With 98 percent of the expected vote counted Buchanan was ahead 55 percent to 38 percent in the 13th District.

Two years ago, Jennings, who then had lost by 369 votes, alleged touch screen voting machine malfunctioned. The House rejected her challenge after federal investigators cleared the machines. In the aftermath, though, Florida banned touch screen voting.

Florida's only open seat was the 15th District, where Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Palm Bay, did not seek re-election. Republican state Sen. Bill Posey of Rockledge kept the seat in the GOP column. With 94 percent of the expected vote counted, Posey had 55 percent while Democrat Stephen Blythe, a Melbourne physician, had 40 percent.

Other incumbents of both parties won re-election.