Rep. Allen Boyd survives close primary

The seven-term congressman overcame Florida Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson (D) in a close-fought contest for the 2nd district nomination. Boyd took it by a two-point margin, clinching 51 percent of the vote to 49 for Lawson. With almost all the precincts reporting, The Associated Press declared him the winner.

Despite getting challenged from the left, Boyd declined to ask for help from President Obama.

“I do my own race; I’ve always done that,” he told The Ballot Box recently. “I have not talked to [the White House].”

What may have helped Boyd is that he supported his party’s three major legislative priorities: the stimulus package, a climate change bill and healthcare reform legislation. While that didn’t save him from a primary challenge from Lawson, it prevented his challenger from gaining more traction. Both Democrats pitched voters on their electability.

Boyd, a member of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, now faces Republican Steve Southerland in November. Republicans believe this seat is a pick-up opportunity, although Boyd is favored to keep his seat.