With only hours to go before polls close, both candidates in Florida’s Second Congressional District are trying to turn out supporters. The race is one of the closest, and closely-watched in the country.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Steve Southerland wants to be re-elected for the third time and his Democratic Challenger, Gwen Graham, is looking to score an upset. Graham says she’s confident she will win the contest, and hasn’t even considered losing.
“I’m just going to keep working hard all day, meeting people and encouraging people to vote. If you haven’t yet, please get to the polls and exercise your right to vote," she says. "It’s so important, this midterm election. And win or lose, I will be planning to make the most of whatever comes next in my life.”
The Southerland/Graham contest is pitting the Tea-Party backed incumbent against a Democrat whose father is a former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor. Polls show the two candidates in a dead heat. Graham calls the Democratic stronghold of Tallahassee home while Southerland’s main base is in the reliably red Panama City area.
