Tom Feeney's (R-FL-24 )Abramoff Connection Reviewed

The partisan edge that Republican Tom Feeney typically enjoys in east-central Florida’s 24th Congressional District is by design — essentially his own design. As speaker of the state House, he oversaw Florida’s most recent congressional redistricting, then segued in 2002 to win the first election in the newly drawn 24th District....
Yet an ethics controversy can erode even a built-in advantage such as the one Feeney enjoys, and the incumbent has had to work to contain questions that have been raised about his past ties to influence peddler Jack Abramoff. The congressman’s cloudier prospects have also drawn him something he has lacked in each of his past three House campaigns: a politically experienced opponent, former state Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, who may face competition from a rematch-minded Curtis in next year’s Democratic primary.

Feeney, like several of his Republican colleagues who faced election problems in 2006, has had to deal with the revelation that he participated in one of several expensive golfing trips to Scotland arranged by lobbyist Abramoff, who was later convicted on corruption charges.

The lawmaker has denied any wrongdoing, and his staff argues that the Abramoff story is “old news.”