12TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE EVEN MORE CROWDED THAN EXPECTED

We believed that we would be seeing a two man race for the 12th District congressional seat between Republican incumbant Adam Putnam and Democratic challenger and Bartow businessman James B. Davis. We knew there was already one independent running in Ed Bowlin, III of Lake Wales, but noone really expected former State Representative Joe Viscusi of Lakeland, currently assistant principal at a Fort Meade elementary school, to enter the contest.

Yeah, I've already heard the "conspiracy" talk: That Viscusi is running as part of a "divide and conquer" strategy to help Putnam gain the easy victory over the unknown Davis and Bowlin. Viscusi is a Republican who switched from the Democratic Party several years ago (I believe while he was still in the House), but is running this race as an Independent/NPA. But why would Viscusi plop down the nearly $10,000 filing fee simply to help Putnam get a free pass? It doesn't seem like the fourth most powerful Republican in the House would need that kind of help.

The national campaign committies will simply write this race off, but if Viscusi is a serious candidate it could make for some interesting moments. Keep watching..