Republicans expect to keep Fla. Legislature

<p>TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Republicans are confident they will keep control of the Florida Legislature by a comfortable margin Tuesday despite an anticipated Democratic tide sweeping across much of the rest of the nation.</p><p>Fifteen Senate seats are up for grabs along with 77 in the House.</p><p>One of the most high-profile races is in Tallahassee where former Florida State University and pro football star Peter Boulware, a Republican, trying to take an open seat always held by Democrats.</p><p>Boulware spent a half-million dollars in his bid against Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a community college teacher and attorney who has the backing of most local Democrats.</p><p>However, 54 percent of the registered voters in the district are Democrats, compared to just 30 percent Republicans. Incumbent Loranne Ausley was one of 33 House members forced out by term limits.</p><p>Most of the other contests attracting interest are Senate races.</p><p>Democrats hope to capture an open seat held by Republican Lisa Carlton with a well-known Sarasota attorney, Morgan Bentley, who faces former state Rep. Nancy Detert. She beat state Rep. Mike Grant in August's Republican primary.</p><p>They also hope to pick up a seat on Florida's Space Coast that's being vacated by state Sen. Bill Posey, who made a congressional run. Democrat Kendall Moore opposes state Rep. Thad Altman, a Republican, in that contest.</p><p>And while a long shot, Democrats hope to surprise presumptive Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach, who raised more than $2 million for his race in a largely Democratic district.</p><p>Republicans, however, think they can oust Democratic Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando with newcomer Belinda Ortiz.</p><p>Six senators were already elected without opposition — four Republicans and two Democrats. Nine incumbents ran in the 15 contested Senate races.</p><p>In the 120-member House, 43 incumbents were unopposed.</p><p>Republicans have a 26-14 advantage in the Senate and a 77-43 advantage in the House.</p>