Debra Prewitt

Debra Prewitt
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 46th district
In office
November 8, 1994 – November 3, 1998
Preceded byPhil Mishkin
Succeeded byHeather Fiorentino
Personal details
Born (1963-04-19) April 19, 1963 (age 63)
Livonia, Michigan
PartyDemocratic
EducationPasco-Hernando Community College (A.A.)
Eckerd College
OccupationHuman services

Debra A. Prewitt (born April 19, 1963) is a Democratic politician from Florida who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1994 to 1998.

Early life

Prewitt was born in Livonia, Michigan, in 1963, and moved to Florida in 1971. She graduated from Gulf High School in 1981, and then attended Pasco-Hernando Community College, graduating with her associate's degree in marketing. Prewitt worked for the local Better Business Bureau as a membership counselor.

In 1987, Prewitt ran for one of the three at-large seats on the New Port Richey City Council. She placed fifth in the election. Prewitt ran again in 1989, and narrowly won, defeating incumbent City Councilwoman Fran Oreto by 15 votes, and becoming the youngest city council member in city history. Prewitt was re-elected in 1991.

Prewitt ran for mayor in 1992, and won by a four-vote margin, becoming the first female mayor in the city's history. She was barred from seeking another term in 1994 by term limits.

Florida House of Representatives

In 1994, Prewitt ran for the Florida House of Representatives from the 46th district, seeking to succeed retiring State Representative Phil Mishkin. In the Democratic primary, she ran against insurance agent Karen Stockwell and perennial candidate Frank Janczlik. Prewitt narrowly placed second in the primary, winning 42 percent of the vote to Stockwell's 44 percent, and they advanced to a runoff election. She defeated Stockwell, winning 57 percent of the vote.

Prewitt faced former New Port Richey Councilman Bill Phillips, the Republican nominee, and independent Joe Mastrocolo, a social conservative who was registered as a Democrat, in the general election. Prewitt narrowly won, receiving 45 percent of the vote to Phillips's 43 percent and Mastrocolo's 12 percent.

In 1996, Prewitt ran for re-election, and was challenged by Republican Alan Levine, a hospital executive. Though both parties targeted the seat, Prewitt "resoundingly" won re-election, winning 58 percent of the vote to his 42 percent.

Prewitt ran for a third term in 1998, and was challenged by New Port Richey City Councilwoman Heather Fiorentino. The race between Prewitt and Fiorentino was close, with Prewitt initially appearing to win re-election by 15 votes. However, following a recount, Fiorentino ended up defeating Prewitt by 23 votes.

References

  1. ↑ Phelps, John B, ed. (1997). The Clerk's Manual: 1996-1998. Clerk of the Florida House of Representatives. p. 168–69.
  2. ↑ Schantz, Mark S. (February 25, 1987). "Woman who knows about better business and sales named 1987 young careerist". West Pasco Press. New Port Richey, Florida. p. 4. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Kurelik, Deborah (February 28, 1987). "Businesswoman joins New Port Richey race". St. Petersburg Times: Pasco Times Edition. p. 3. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 "New Port Richey woman qualifies for elections". The Tampa Tribune. March 4, 1987. p. 4-Pasco. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Pasco holds elections". The Tampa Tribune. April 19, 1987. p. 5-Pasco. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Griffin, Laura (April 12, 1989). "Rookies win seats in New port Richey". St. Petersburg Times: Pasco Times Edition. p. 15. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Henry, Kaylois (April 1, 1991). "As New port Richey matures, it grows younger". St. Petersburg Times: Hernando Times. p. 5. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Henry, Kaylois (April 10, 1991). "Voters buy experience in 3 city races". St. Petersburg Times: Pasco Times. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Henry, Kaylois (February 19, 1992). "Councill's Prewitt will run for mayor". St. Petersburg Times: Pasco Times. p. 2. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Prewitt wins by 4-vote margin". The Tampa Tribune. April 15, 1992. p. 1-Pasco. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Filing period for elections begins". The Tampa Tribune. February 11, 1994. p. Pasco-3. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Smith, Adam C. (August 26, 1994). "Voters' job: Choose a standout". St. Petersburg Times: Pasco Times. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "September 8, 1994 Primary Election Democratic Primary - State Representative District: 46". Florida Department of Elections. 1994. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Edwards, Brian; Collie, Tim (September 9, 1994). "Winner of runoff will face Phillips in District 46 race". The Tampa Tribune. p. 1-Florida/Metro. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "October 4, 1994 Runoff Election Democratic Primary - State Representative District: 46". Florida Department of Elections. 1994. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  16. ↑ Hackett, David (October 22, 1994). "Independents know a singular wrench into race". St. Petersburg Times: Pasco Times. p. 2. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "November 8, 1994 General Election - State Representative District: 46". Florida Department of Elections. 1994. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  18. ↑ Snow Smith, Katherine (July 16, 1996). "Sources of aid to campaigns spark fight". Pasco Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Snow Smith, Katherine (April 14, 1996). "Parties target the race in District 46". Pasco Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Snow Smith, Katherine (November 6, 1996). "Democrats' Prewitt sails to second term". Pasco Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "November 5, 1996 General Election - State Representative District: 46". Florida Department of Elections. 1996. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  22. ↑ Verrier, Richard (January 30, 1998). "New Port Richey member will resign seat". Pasco Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ Verrier, Richard (November 4, 1998). "Close House race cues recount". Pasco Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ Verrier, Richard (November 5, 1998). "Prewitt may contest recount results". Pasco Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "November 3, 1998 General Election - State Representative District: 46". Florida Department of Elections. 1998. Retrieved July 23, 2026.