Steube wins state House District 73 race

MANATEE -- Greg Steube had hoped voters of Manatee County residing in District 73 would allow him to continue aiding Florida's growth and represent them in the State House of Representatives.

Manatee voters overwhelmingly responded to Steube's wishes at the polls with 73.7 percent of the votes cast in his favor. Steube also won in Sarasota County with 73.18 percent of the votes cast in five precincts.

Steube, R-Parrish, won 51,310 votes in Manatee while non-party affiliate challenger Bob McCann earned 18,301, or 26.29 percent of the Manatee votes.

"I'm very happy the citizens of District 73 reelected me to continue to serve in the State House and continue to promote economic growth and small businesses," Steube said.

It was the second consecutive time Steube beat out McCann to represent the district, which is comprised of east Ellenton, east Bradenton and the majority of Manatee County east of Interstate 75, along with northern Sarasota County. McCann previously ran as a Republican.

"I want to congratulate him on a good, clean race," McCann said. "He has the name recognition and that is hard to overcome."

"The results speak for themselves," Steube said.

During the campaign, Steube supported funding educational programs and said his background in agriculture will best serve the district. McCann, a physician of 25 years and health care attorney for 12 years, said he would expand Medicaid and said funding private institutions should not come out of money designated for public schools.

"I'm happy and privileged to serve in the House another two years," Steube said.

I think we ran a very good race," McCann said.

McCann said he suffered a heart attack during the campaign and underwent open heart surgery.

"We're not making any excuses," McCann said.

As of Nov. 1, Steube had raised more than $123,900 for his re-election, and McCann had raised almost $18,000, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

Nick Williams, East Manatee reporter, can be reached at 941-748-0411 ext. 7049. Twitter:@_1NickWilliams

This story was originally published November 7, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Steube wins state House District 73 race ."