[5] Plakon won the Republican primary unopposed, and advanced to the general election, where he faced teacher Karen Castor Dentel, the Democratic nominee.

[6] Castor Dentel was endorsed by the Orlando Sentinel over Plakon, which criticized him for putting "too much of his energy into ideological crusades" and for "hoping voters overlook his right-wing record.

In 2014, rather than seek a rematch with Castor Dentel, Plakon moved into the 29th District, challenging State Representative Mike Clelland, a Democrat.

The Sentinel once again endorsed Plakon's opponent, praising Clelland for his "valuable insight" and for making "ethics reform his signature issue."

They praised Plakon for being a "productive legislator," but condemned the fact that he "put too much effort into polarizing issues like abortion and state aid to religious institutions.