Florida’s Democratic leaders had some cold water thrown in their faces last week when they lost another special election for a legislative seat.

Now the special election for a state House seat covering northern Sarasota County may be the Democrats' last, best chance to make a statement and rally the base in advance of the 2018 election season.

Democratic leaders often talk about the level of energy and enthusiasm in the party right now. They were jubilant after taking a Miami state Senate seat from Republicans last month.

But Republicans are 2-1 in special elections for legislative seats this year, even though Democrats have been playing on favorable ground. All three special elections were in districts that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton carried last year.

Democrats won a state Senate seat that Clinton carried by nearly 18 percentage points, but they lost two House seats that Clinton narrowly won.

In both House races Democrats failed to recruit strong candidates who could raise significant campaign money.

That may be why Democratic leaders were so eager to rally around Sarasota attorney Margaret Good when she announced her campaign for the District 72 state House contest. Good was endorsed by Democratic leaders in the House and is expected to receive campaign support from them.

But the establishment support for Good has angered some Democrats. Good faces a primary against Sarasota staffing company owner Ruta Jouniari, a self-described progressive “activist” who has attracted support from more liberal Democrats.

Republicans are hoping the primary battle drains the party’s resources and damages the eventual nominee, who will face Republican James Buchanan and Libertarian Alison Foxall in the general election.

Sarasota County Democratic Party Vice Chairman Kevin Griffith said the primary is a good sign for the party.

“Democrats are very passionate right now, they’re motivated,” he said. “One proof of the motivation is we have a primary and they’re both good candidates.”

Regardless of who emerges from the primary, Griffith predicted that both parties will be fully engaged in the general election. Both Democrats and Republicans will be looking to generate some momentum heading into 2018, and the District 72 race will be the only legislative contest taking place in February.

“It’s the only show in the state,” Griffith said. “It’s going to draw significant interest from both sides.”

But Democrats face a tougher task in District 72 for a number of reasons. It’s a district President Donald Trump won by five percentage points. Buchanan also is expected to have significant financial resources and he benefits from the strong name recognition established by his father, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

James Buchanan isn’t taking anything for granted though. He recently urged Sarasota Republicans not to let their guard down in the race.

“I’m telling you, the Democrats are very fired up,” Buchanan told a crowd of 100 gathered for the Sarasota GOP’s executive committee meeting last week. “We need to be focused on this race. I think we can win it but we need to do it together.”

Buchanan predicted there will be money flowing into the race “from all over the state.”

“The Ds think they have a chance but I know we can win this,” he said.

Republicans dominate in the Florida Legislature, holding majorities in both the House and Senate. Democrats are hoping the backlash to Trump will help them win in 2018.

To climb back into majority status in the state House — an extremely unlikely feat in the near future — Democrats would have to start winning seats in districts that Trump carried. Right now they are 1-2 in seats that Clinton carried, which means the party has a long way to go. The District 72 race will be another test of just how long.

Cheney in January

A dinner event with former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney, has been rescheduled to Jan. 19 after being postponed because of Hurricane Irma.

The Sarasota GOP is honoring the Cheneys as the party’s Statesman of the Year and Stateswoman of the Year.

The event at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota starts at 5:30 p.m. with a VIP reception. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. Reservations can be made at www.statesmanoftheyear.com.

Veteran ID cards available next month

More than two years after former President Barack Obama signed the measure into law, legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, will soon begin benefiting veterans nationwide. Starting next month veterans can apply for an ID card on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website www.va.gov.

The program is intended to make it easier for veterans to provide proof of their military service.

“These ID cards will make life a little bit easier for our veterans,” Buchanan said in a statement.

Events

• The Anna Maria Democratic Club meets Monday at 11:30 a.m. at the IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton. Sarasota Herald-Tribune Political Editor Zac Anderson will address the group. The cost is $17 for members and $20 for guests. No reservation is necessary. The event is open to the public.

• The Nokomis Osprey Venice Area Republican Club meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Nokomis Community Center, 234 Nippino Trail East. Attorney general candidate Ashley Moody will address the group. The event is free and open to the public.

• The Argus Foundation meets Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at The Francis, 1289 South Palm Ave. in Sarasota. Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools Todd Bowden will address the group. The cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members. For reservations call 941-365-4886 or email rsvp@argusfoundation.org.

• The Sarasota Republican Club meets Thursday at 6 p.m. at Marina, 2 Marina Plaza in Sarasota. State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice, will discuss “the left’s insidious attacks on the bedrock of our republican form of government and the creeping degradation of our constitutional heritage.” The event is $30 for members and $35 for guests. For reservations call 888-325-3212.

• The North Port Democratic Club meets Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Morgan Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd. A representative from the Sierra Club will address the group. The event is free and open to the public.

• The Lakewood Ranch Republican Club meets Friday at 11:30 a.m. at The Ranch Grill, 14475 E. State Road 70 in Bradenton. Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells will address the group. The cost is $20. For reservations call 941-322-9164 or email sjc@mailmt.com.