Congressional District 11: GOP stalwart Daniel Webster faces challenge from progressive Dana Cottrell

Oct. 15--Central Florida GOP stalwart Daniel Webster faces a challenger in a district rated as one of the region's strongest Republican strongholds.

Dana Cottrell, a teacher and progressive critic of Webster, has filed to run against him in U.S. Congressional District 11 in hopes of unseating him in Washington.

Cook Political Report rates the district, which covers five counties, as a "solid" Republican district. Voter registration data shows Republicans hold about an 18-point edge.

The district includes parts of Lake County -- including Minneola, Leesburg and Tavares -- as well as Sumter, Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties. It also includes voters in The Villages.

Who are they

Daniel Webster, 69, is a Clermont Republican who owns Webster Air Conditioning & Heating. He's a former state House Speaker, who moved districts in 2016 after lines were redrawn. He also unsuccessfully ran for U.S. House Speaker twice in 2015 -- once in a bid to oust John Boehner, and once again after Boehner stepped down.

Dana Cottrell, 49, is a Spring Hill mother who used to work as a teacher in Hernando County and also for the Department of Defense overseas. She's not currently employed and has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of South Florida.

Where they stand

Dan Webster's platform includes trying to fix a "broken" Washington, D.C., according to his campaign website and advertisements. He says the House of Representatives is "blinded by power" and "paralyzed by politics" in a TV campaign commercial.

Webster's campaign didn't return calls and emails seeking comment for this story.

A critic of Webster's voting record, Cottrell said the middle class has been left behind under President Donald Trump's administration and the Republican-controlled House and Senate, adding that although some are doing well with stock market investments, "I tell them they're one emergency away from bankruptcy."

"The rich have gotten tax breaks and the poor have gotten nothing," Cottrell said.

Webster has long been in favor of allowing more members of Congress to have a say on policy decisions, rather than deferring to party leaders, which is why he made the bids for House Speaker.

In another television commercial, he said the government is spending far too much money too fast and called for a balanced budget amendment.

Within the district, Cottrell said homeless is rising, and there is a lack of both affordable and senior housing.

She believes in fully funding Medicare for all Americans and eliminating Medicaid. Those affected in that elimination would be covered by the "Medicare for All" system, her website states.

On the environment, she said she supports "full enforcement" of the Clean Water Act and wants emissions reduced to help battle climate change.

How they differ

From a policy perspective, Cottrell pitched herself as a better choice for voters on women's health-care issues and her support of the LGBTQ community.

"I think I'm more in touch with the everyday American," Cottrell said. "I don't think Daniel Webster has a clue."

The two candidates differ drastically both in their government experience and fundraising.

Webster is among the most experienced Florida politicians and was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1980, serving there until 1998.

He then was elected to two terms in the Florida Senate, before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.

Meanwhile, Cottrell is a first-time candidate.

Webster also has a substantial advantage in fundraising. He has about $140,000 on hand compared with Cottrell's $5,600, according to Federal Elections Commission records.

She said the difference is in part due to Webster receiving corporate contributions.

Have a news tip? You can call Ryan at 407-420-5002, email him at [email protected], follow him on Twitter @byryangillespie and like his coverage on Facebook @byryangillespie.

Please consider supporting local journalism by purchasing a digital subscription to the Orlando Sentinel. Click here to get one today.

___

(c)2018 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)

Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.