Clint Barras may be a political newcomer, but he’s been paying attention and has rolled out his campaign, website and political platform.
Barras is the first Democrat to enter the District 120 race to replace Republican Florida Keys State Rep. Holly Raschein, whose time in Tallahassee will end due to term limits following the current legislative session.
Raschein’s seat is one of nine occupied by Republicans who cannot or will not seek reelection, making those seats vulnerable to Democrats, who are hoping to claim a majority in the Florida House of Representatives.
Barras is vice president of business development for Two Oceans Digital, a Key West-based digital marketing company that specializes in web design, website creation and online marketing strategies. The company handles the digital marketing efforts for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
Barras has filed his candidate paperwork with the state elections office.
Thus far, Barras, whose wife, Lynn, is principal of the May Sands Montessori School in Key West, faces a trio of Republicans. Those include attorney Alexandria Suarez, Islamorada Village Council member Jim Mooney and Ocean Reef candidate Rhonda Lopez, who, according to FloridaPolitics.com, has been the the top fundraiser in the race so far.
In addition to his work at Two Oceans Digital, Barras has served as vice chair of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.
House District 120, according to Ryan Nicol of FloridaPolitics.com, “covers Monroe County as well as parts of southern Miami-Dade County, and leans Republican. But the seat is not off the table completely for Democrats. In 2016, Raschein secured a convincing win, defeating her Democratic opponent by nearly 15 percentage points. But that margin closed in 2018, with Raschein winning by just over 6 percentage points. This year, Republicans lack an incumbent on the ballot. Depending on how kind the 2020 cycle is to Democrats, a ‘blue wave’ could potentially push Barras over the top. He’ll likely need to show he can match his Republican opponents’ fundraising ability.” Lopez has raised more than $200,000 since September. Mooney has raised just over $80,800 since last August while Suarez has gathered $40,700 since last July. Barras reported just over $12,000 raised in his first report this week.
