Scott Franklin elected to U.S. House in Spano's old district
Ross Spano (left,) and Scott Franklin
LAKELAND, Fla. - Republican Scott Franklin has won Florida Rep. Ross Spano's seat in the U.S. House. Franklin defeated Democrat Alan Cohn in Tuesday's election, ensuring that Spano's seat stays in Republican hands.
Franklin defeated Spano in the Republican primary. Spano was dogged by ethics investigations over alleged campaign finance violations.
Franklin decided to challenge Spano in the August primary, fearing that the cloud over him might make the seat vulnerable.
Franklin is a Lakeland city commissioner, former Navy pilot and owns a small business. Cohn is a former television journalist.
The district runs from just east of Tampa to just west of Orlando.