In a race that has one candidate labeled a carpetbagger and the other a "Rick Scott Republican," AT&T area manager Ed Narain is beating attorney and former state insurance consumer advocate Sean Shaw in the House District 61 seat, which encompasses parts of downtown Tampa, Ybor City and Seminole Heights.With 324 of 347 precincts reporting, Narain is leading Shaw, 41-35 percent. Sharon Carter is at 16 percent, and Tatiana Denson is at 8 percent.
Earlier in the day, Shaw told CL he was confident that he would win, as he assailed Narain for receiving contributions from conservative organizations such as the Florida Retail Federation, Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "Ed has a unique ability to coalesce nasty people in his favor," he said.
Shaw also had the endorsement of some of the state's top Democrats, such as Charlie Crist and Alex Sink.
But there was a perception amongst some in the district that he wasn't from the area, having only moved into the district in 2010. That was an issue that Narain pounced on throughout the campaign. And while Shaw had the big-name endorsements, Narain had two of potentially the biggest ones: from outgoing HD 61 Representative Betty Reed, and the Florida Sentinel-Bulletin, whose endorsements still carry some clout, in East Tampa in particular. He also had the imprimatur of the Tampa Bay Times, while Shaw was endorsed by the Tribune.