Election 2012 Buchanan Defeats Fitzgerald to Keep Seat in Congress

BRADENTON -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (R) came out on top of a knock-down drag-out fight with former state rep. Keith Fitzgerald to win his 4th term in the United State House of Representatives. Fitzgerald held close in early-reporting precincts, until Buchanan eventually opened up a lead of 10 points by the time all votes were counted, winning by almost 15,000 votes. Fitzgerald was up against a well-financed incumbent in a Republican district and managed to halve a gap of around 20 percent during campaign polling, but it was not enough to be competitive.

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