Spotlight on the FL 22nd Congressional District

Republican Winner, Allen West
Florida's 22nd Congressional District stretches along the southeastern Florida coastline from Broward County to the northern edge of Palm Beach County. This district was ground zero in the disputed 2000 presidential election recount. There is a slim GOP registration edge here and the last three presidential elections have been close. In 2000 Bush lost to Gore, 51% to 46% and in 2004, he lost to Kerry, 51% to 49%. McCain kept it close in 2008, but did lose to Obama, 52% to 48%. In 2006, Democrat Ron Klein unseated incumbent Republican E. Clay Shaw, Jr. in a close race and was re-elected. Army Lt. Col. Allen West, on a meager budget, unsuccessfully challenged Klein in 2008 and he came back for a second try. This time he was successful and defeated Klein by a margin of 54% to 46%. West has evolved into a hero of sorts to conservatives due to his inspiring oratory and unapologetic defense of key conservative issues. Financial support flowed to him from all over the country and this election, he had sufficient money to compete with and defeat Klein in this swing district.
Allen West
  • Bachelors degree, Univ. of Tennessee, political science
  • Masters degree, Kansas State Univ., political science
  • Master of Military Arts and Sciences, US Army Command and General Staff Officer College
  • 22 year Army Veteran, retired as Lt. Col.
  • Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom-battalion commander for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division
  • Advisor to the Afghan army, 2007
  • Recipient of a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), Valorous Unit Award as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm
  • ROTC Instructor of the Year, 1993
  • Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps Assault School
  • Wears the Army Master parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Navy Marine Corps parachutist insignia, Italian parachutist wings, German proficiency badge (Bronze)
  • Avid distance runner, PADI Master certified SCUBA diver, motorcyclist, attends Community Christian Church in Tamarac Florida

ISSUES

  • Curb out of control Government spending; across the board tax cuts; fight to bring jobs back to South Florida; support flat tax system for individuals and businesses; tax cuts and incentives for small businesses; stay on the offensive in fighting global terrorism; reestablish American Exceptionalism by growing and modernizing America’s Armed forces; make American energy independent by developing our full spectrum of energy resources; enforce federal immigration laws; give states the resources to confront the problem of illegal immigration; strengthen the Border Patrol; the Jewish State needs stronger representation in Congress and a solid voice that will not be afraid to stand up to the Obama Administration’s appeasement of Islamic Terrorism

"Make no mistake, we are a nation at war against a totalitarian theocratic political ideology that glorifies death rather than celebrates life. To defeat it, we must stay on the offensive. From Afghanistan and Iraq, to the Greater Middle East and South America, radical Islam is on the march. And while our attention is focused on combating global terrorism, we must not forget other looming threats just on the horizon in China, North Korea, Venezuela, Russia & Iran. These nations and their leaders represent the biggest threat to our great nation. As your Congressman, I will work to reestablish American Exceptionalism by growing and modernizing America’s Armed forces to ensure that we are prepared for the strategic challenges ahead. Like President Reagan, I believe that peace is best kept through a strong national defense."
Desperate
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.