Ten months into her campaign to succeed her husband in House District 87, Tracy Caruso is withdrawing from the race, citing a wish to remain closer to home in Palm Beach County.
That leaves four remaining candidates[1], two fellow Republicans and two Democrats, vying in a to-be-called Special Election for the seat.
Caruso, who filed to run in November[2], said the decision reflected her husband Mike Caruso’s recently appointed role as Palm Beach County Clerk[3].
Now with a clearer opportunity to live in her home county year-round, Caruso said the choice makes sense.
“When Mike was first elected, I chose to live in Tallahassee with him — a choice many spouses don’t make. People often asked why I stayed there. The simple answer is that we are married, and I want to live where my husband lives. Seven years later, that feeling hasn’t changed,” she said in a statement to Jolt Florida[4], a conservative news media website where she works as an editor.
“With Mike’s new role here in Palm Beach County, I know that being home is best for both of us. I have realized that my path is not to serve in Tallahassee. My place is here.”
Both loyal allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Carusos have enjoyed appointments to several important positions over the years.
Tracy Caruso currently holds three DeSantis-appointed positions: Chair of the Palm Beach County Housing and Finance Authority and member of the Health Care District of Palm Beach and Palm Beach State College Board of Trustees.
She is also President of Delray Beach Executive Suites[5], a rental company she runs with her husband. In 2020, she ran unsuccessfully[6] for Delray Beach Mayor.
“These roles are a tremendous responsibility; my community is where my heart is,” she said, stressing that her withdrawal from the HD 87 race is not the end of her public service.
“It is only a redirection toward what is best for my family and community.”
GOP candidates still running include real estate agent Gretchen Miller Feng and Lake Clarke Shores Council member Jon Maples, who secured a key endorsement[7] late last month from Rep. Meg Weinberger, a freshman Republican state lawmaker nicknamed “MAGA Meg” who representd neighboring House District 94.
Democrats Emily Gregory and Laura Levites are also running.
So far, Maples is leading the pack in fundraising with nearly $58,000 raised through June 30, plus another $14,000 in self-loans. Caruso and Miller Feng raised $27,000 and $3,250, respectively.
Gregory raised $15,000. Levites filed hasn’t yet reported any campaign finance activity.
HD 87[8] covers a coastal portion of Palm Beach County. It includes portions of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, along with coastal communities from Juno Beach to Hypoluxo.
DeSantis is likely to call a Special Election so the HD 87 seat isn’t vacant during the coming Legislative Session.
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References
- ^ four remaining candidates (dos.elections.myflorida.com)
- ^ filed to run in November (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Palm Beach County Clerk (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ statement to Jolt Florida (floridajolt.com)
- ^ Delray Beach Executive Suites (delrayoffices.com)
- ^ ran unsuccessfully (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ key endorsement (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ HD 87 (www.flhouse.gov)