2014 Florida Attorney General election

The 2014 Florida Attorney General election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the Florida Attorney General. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi ran for re-election to a second term in office against Democrat George Sheldon and Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer.

Republican primary Candidates Declared Pam Bondi, incumbent attorney general

Democratic primary Candidates Declared George Sheldon, former Assistant U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services for Children and Families Perry Thurston, Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives

Declined Skip Campbell, former state senator and nominee for attorney general in 2006 Maria Sachs, state senator

Endorsements

Results

Libertarian nomination Candidates Declared Bill Wohlsifer, Attorney at Law

General election Campaign

Sheldon's constitutional eligibility to serve as attorney general was challenged in court. For the years 2011 to 2013, Sheldon established permanent non-Florida residency in order to receive an exemption from taking continuing legal education courses required to maintain his law license with the Florida Bar. Article IV, Section 5(b) of the Florida Constitution requires the candidates for attorney general maintain permanent residency in Florida for the seven years preceding election to office. The lawsuit named Sheldon and the Florida Secretary of State as defendants, and asked the court to remove Sheldon from the Democratic primary for attorney general. Leon County Chief Judge Charles A. Francis ruled that Sheldon was eligible for the ballot, stating that though he might have worked out of state, he maintained his residence in Tallahassee and continued to live there whenever he returned. The main lawyer involved in the case chose not to appeal the decision.

After Sheldon won his party's primary on August 26, Bondi challenged him to a general debate before the election. Sheldon stated that he would do so, but raised the possibility of multiple debates. Wohlsifer also challenged Bondi and Sheldon to a debate before the election. On September 9, Bondi's campaign sent out an email accepting an invitation to debate Sheldon in October, which he also accepted. While the Bondi campaign's email only mentioned Sheldon, Sheldon himself stated that he would welcome Wohlsifer's participation. Later on, it was confirmed that the debate would take place on October 6 and all three candidates would participate. It was pre-recorded and then broadcast only in Tampa and Orlando TV markets.

Candidates Pam Bondi (Republican) George Sheldon (Democratic) Bill Wohlsifer (Libertarian)

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PamBondi (R) GeorgeSheldon (D) BillWohlsifer (L) UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 1–2, 2014 1,198 ± 2.8% 46% 37% 5% 11%Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo University October 16–19, 2014 500 ± 4.9% 47% 39% 6% 8%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 4–7, 2014 818 ± 3.8% 43% 35% 6% 17%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing June 20–23, 2014 1,232 ± 3% 43% 35% 5% 16%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 6–9, 2014 672 ± 3.8% 38% 35% — 27%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing April 23–25, 2014 907 ± 3% 45% 36% 7% 12%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing January 30–31, 2014 808 ± 4% 44% 36% 4% 16%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 16–21, 2014 591 ± 4% 37% 34% — 29%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing November 8–11, 2013 932 ± 3% 29% 11% — 59%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PamBondi (R) PerryThurston (D) Other UndecidedGravis Marketing June 20–23, 2014 1,232 ± 3% 43% 38% 4% 15%Public Policy Polling June 6–9, 2014 672 ± 3.8% 40% 33% — 28%Gravis Marketing April 23–25, 2014 907 ± 3% 45% 38% 7% 11%Gravis Marketing January 30–31, 2014 808 ± 4% 45% 36% 6% 12%Public Policy Polling January 16–21, 2014 591 ± 4% 37% 35% — 28%Gravis Marketing November 8–11, 2013 932 ± 3% 30% 14% — 57%

Results

By congressional district Bondi won 19 of 27 congressional districts, including two that elected Democrats.

District Bondi Sheldon Representative71% 26%Jeff Miller 53% 43%Gwen Graham 65% 32%Ted Yoho 68% 28%Ander Crenshaw 36% 62%Corrine Brown 64% 33%Ron DeSantis 56% 41%John Mica 62% 34%Bill Posey 48% 49%Alan Grayson 58% 38%Daniel Webster 66% 31%Rich Nugent 60% 37%Gus Bilirakis 53% 43%Bill Young 42% 55%Kathy Castor 60% 37%Dennis Ross 60% 37%Vern Buchanan 65% 32%Tom Rooney 57% 40%Patrick Murphy 67% 30%Trey Radel 20% 78%Alcee Hastings 43% 55%Ted Deutch 47% 50%Lois Frankel 40% 58%Debbie Wasserman Schultz 15% 84%Frederica Wilson 61% 37%Mario Díaz-Balart 52% 45%Carlos Curbelo 52% 46%Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

2014 Florida Attorney General election

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