THE MIDTERMS: St. Petersburg Times reporter Alex Leary is writing occasional stories exploring the policy, the politics and the people driving the 2010 elections. His most recent story looks at Debbie Wilson, an Apollo Beach resident and conservative activist who is working to get Marco Rubio elected to the Senate.

See Leary's previous coverage on the Midterms:

As midterm election nears, Obama on shaky ground

For many, a Sarah Palin endorsement brings a helpful boost

In fight for re-election, John McCain takes on harder conservative persona

The tea party roared and the nation noticed; now what?

 In year of anti-incumbency, Pennsylvania's Specter fights to survive

Health care reform votes might make Democrats vulnerable in midterm elections

HURRICANE SAMMY: The Times first profiled Sammy Valentin Jr. in 2004. He's 16 now, has won several national titles and is aspiring to make the 2012 Olympics -- and starting a nonprofit foundation to give stuffed animals to hospitalized kids in the Tampa Bay area.