One Republican-held state house seat just got a little safer.
Heather Stahl, the Democratic challenger in the race for House District 64, has withdrawn from the race. In a Facebook post announcing her withdrawal, she wrote that she needed to tend to a new job that allowed her to better care for her husband from home.
"My new job (understandably) needs me full time and taking off three months in the early part of the year is not part of their overall plan," Stahl wrote in a Facebook post announcing her withdrawal.
The move is a blow to Democrats, who hoped to steal the HD 64 seat from incumbent Jamie Grant. As it stands, only Grant, Republican primary challenger Terry Power and NPA candidate Andy Warrener remain in the race. Power has raised some $80,000 in his bid, but $73,000 of that has come from his own pocket. Grant has hauled in six figures and he's got the wind of incumbency at his back.
A spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party did not immediately respond to an emailed question about whether the party had a replacement for Stahl lined up.
Unless Democrats act fast, the race for HD 64 will be effectively over after the August 28 primary.
Read Stahl's full Facebook post here:
Dear Friends:
I want to thank you all so much for your support.
Over the past month I have obtained a new job which provides great health benefits and allows me to work from home. I have not spoken about this a great deal but my husband had a health scare last year that has left him with cognitive issues (he is on full disability). Being able to work from home allows me the ability to be there if he needs me.
The unfortunate part of all of this is that my new job (understandably) needs me full time and taking off three months in the early part of the year is not part of their overall plan. For now I need to focus on my new position and my family. This will mean I will have to back out of the race for this campaign cycle.
I will continue to be involved in Democratic causes and making sure as many Democrats get elected as possible in November. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Sincerely,
Heather Stahl