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136 | INFLUENCE WINTER 2016 was one of those impacted communities, and it took nearly a half-year before the final zone was lifted. Frequently mentioned as a possible 2018 contender, Levine could be well-positioned for a gubernatorial bid. Aside from being well-respected in the community, Levine has the ability to self-fund his race, something that might prove beneficial in what could be a crowded field. THE FRESHMEN There will be a lot of new faces in the Florida delegation when the 115th Congress convenes in early January. Florida is sending 10 new members to the U.S. House of Representatives this year, one of the state’s largest turnovers. There were a few notable additions to the delegation, including an outspoken former state representative and a well-liked former governor. Residents in Florida’s 1st Congressional District voted to send former state Rep. Matt Gaetz to Washington. The Fort Walton Beach Republican will replace retiring Rep. Jeff Miller, who represented the mayor, serving in that capacity for nearly 14 years. With a year like this in the books, it’s no wonder Dyer is being floated as a possible 2018 gubernatorial contender. MIAMI BEACH MAYOR PHILIP LEVINE He was one of Hillary Clinton’s biggest cheerleaders, even taking fellow Democratic mayors on a tour of the Sunshine State to rally support for the Democratic nominee. While Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine’s support for Clinton might have boosted his national profile, it’s his position on climate change that has kept him in the spotlight. He was name-checked in a recent Los Angeles Times opinion piece focused on climate change, was featured on National Public Radio talking about the impact rising tides could have on his community, and was even interviewed by Leonardo DiCaprio for his documentary on climate change. Like several other Florida mayors, Levine had his own challenges in 2016. Miami-Dade County was ground zero for locally acquired cases of Zika. Miami Beach western Panhandle for 16 years. Gaetz is known for his outspoken personality, and pushed to legalize low-THC medical marijuana in Florida. North Florida also welcomed Rep. Neal Dunn —who replaced outgoing Rep. Gwen Graham, a Democrat who is exploring a gubernatorial bid — in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. In Northeast Florida, voters picked former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford to replace Ander Crenshaw, another Republican who decided to retire POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine celebrates at the press event unveling the commemorative Coca-Cola “Miami Beach” bottle. PHOTOS: City of Miami Beach Flickr (Levine); Val Demings for Congress; Stephanie Murpyhy for Congress; Charlie Crist for Congress; Neal Dunn for Congress; John Rutherford for Congress There will be a lot of new faces in the Florida delegation when the 115th Congress convenes in early January.


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