NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Then-Winter Park Vice Mayor and City Commissioner Karen Diebel talked up Democratic Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas of New Smyrna Beach as though she was her only real opponent in the 2010 elections, but in doing so, she perhaps under-estimated the strength of her own GOP party rival, Sandy Adams.
Big mistake!
Adams prevailed over Diebel by a few hundred votes, in a field of five with Craig Miller third, and Tom Garcia and Deon Long as also-rans.
Headline Surfer® photos / While Diebel. portrayed herself as a staunch conservative, it was Adams who resonated with right-wing Republicans, especially after she received support from 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
That November, capitalizing on Kosmas' support of Obamacare, Adams crushed the incumbent Kosmas with 60 percent of the votes in the district representing parts of Orange, Seminole, Brevard and Volusia counties.
But for Diebel in that 2010 primary, despite strong support from Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate, the waning days were tough as she found herself wrapped up in controversy with the third strongest GOP candidate in Miller.
He put out a mailer that accused Diebel of being “unstable” and “bizarre.” citing several 9-1-1 calls Diebel had made, including her allegation that a political opponent had placed a snake in her pool. She never named names. Despite the controversy she only lost by 543 votes to Adams.
Like Kosmas before here her, Adams' reign would last only two years. With redistricting costing Adams her seat she was forced to run in a primary in 2012 against longtime Republican John Mica in the 7th district, which the incumbent easily won.
During the winter 0f 2011, Diebel announced a run for a new Congressional seat in Central Florida that had not yet been drawn for the 2012 election cycle, but with little traction the second time around, Diebel backed several weeks later.
During the winter 0f 2011, Diebel announced a run for a new Congressional seat in Central Florida that had not yet been drawn for the 2012 election cycle, but with little traction the second time around, Diebel backed several weeks later.
FAST FACTS: Karen Diebel elective office
Did You Know?
Photo for Headline Surfer® / The Recap:
496. New Smyrna Beach City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe enjoys public interaction
497. County Council candidate Ken Ali in 2012 debate closing: 'I'm heterosexual'
498. NSB executive secretary Sandy Winkler community inspiration in support of late husband's cancer battle
499. Palatka City Commissioner Allegra Kitchens demonstrated she can 'stand the heat'
500. Lauren Rowe leaves WKMG Local 6 News after decade-plus run