Suzanne Kosmos

Suzanne Kosmas is running for the Democratic nomination for the House of Representatives in Florida’s 24th district against Clint Curtis. The General Election opponent is Anti-abortion Republican incumbent Tom Feeney. The district is located in Central Florida and is home to the Kennedy Space Center.

Background:
Since 1979, Kosmas has been the owner of a Smyrna Beach Real Estate firm.
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1996, where she served four terms before being forced to retire by term limits, Kosmos was the main challenger to then Speaker of the House Tom Feeney’s hostile voter access policies. They debated each other in major media outlets including Larry King and the New York Times. Honors Kosmos has received include:  Volusia County PTA Legislator of the Year, Florida Education Association United Teachers Outstanding Leadership Award, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America C.A.R.E. Award. She attended Pennsylvania State University, George Mason University and received her B.A. in Political Science from Stetson University.

Kosmas’ Positions on Key Issues:

• Supports:Reproductive Rights, Development of sustainable energy alternatives, Stem cell research
• Opposes: Privatization of Social Security, Iraq War, Ban on gay marriage

Incumbent Tom Feeney Positions on Key Issues:

• Supports: Banning Same Sex Marriage, Iraq War, Ending US Membership in the United Nations
• Opposes: Abortion

Supported by:

• EMILY’S List
• AFL-CIO                                           
• American Federation of Teachers
• SEIU
• National Education Association

Primary: Kosmos faces Clint Curtis in the August Democratic Primary.  Curtis lost to Feeney in 2006 by a margin of 58% to 42%.  Feeney has no primary opposition.

Prospects:
Scandal could play a role in this race.  Feeney was associated with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and indicted former Minority Leader Tom Delay. Feeney led Kosmos by a margin of.  45% to 37% in an October 2007 DCCC poll that included  Feeney’s ties to Abramoff. On October 28, the Cook Report changed the rating in the race from Toss-Up to Lean Democratic.

Website:   www.kosmasforcongress.com