Broward Democrat Walter “Skip” Campbell has dropped out of the race
July 14th, 2008
By John Johnston
Managing Editor
State senatorial district 25 runs along the coast from Port Everglades in Broward County, north to Jupiter in Palm Beach County – and until Friday former legislator and well-known Democrat Walter “Skip” Campbell was opposing incumbent Republican Senator Jeff Atwater for that seat.
 Campbell has now pulled himself out of the race -- and he’s apparently done so from crutches, citing recent hip surgery, and bad “timing” as reasons for his decision.
"I wish Senator Campbell a full and complete recovery and all the best in his future endeavors. My focus remains on taking our campaign door-to-door across District 25 and asking the voters of Broward and Palm Beach Counties for the honor of serving as their State Senator,” said Atwater in a statement after Campbell’s announcement Friday.
The state party has 12 days for a special committee to officially name a replacement. Campbell’s most likely successor on the ballot is Broward Realtor™ Linda Bird. A Clinton supporter during the Democratic primary, Bird is also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
And while Campbell was seen to be a formidable opponent against Atwater, Bird is less well known.
Insiders say, however, that the district remains one that, in voting patterns shows a Democratic edge. District wide, Democrats pulled 53 percent of the vote in the 2006 election.
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