When Congressman Robert Wexler announced his retirement last week, many predicted a free for all with a long list of Democrats running for the seat covering northern Broward and southern Palm Beach counties.

But days later, it appears that state Sen. Ted Deutch is heading to a coronation. At least one potential candidate -- legislator Jeremy Ring -- has stepped aside, Broward County Mayor Stacy Ritter remains undecided and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel sounds lukewarm.

And Monday, Deutch announced that more than a dozen Palm Beach County politicians endorsed him.

How did this race quickly go from a crowded field to one major contender in a matter of days?

Many viable leaders have considered running for the 19th Congressional District because it's safe: it's solidly Democratic, it will be a short race -- the date hasn't been set -- and elected officials don't have to resign to run.

But Deutch may have had the edge from the start. Since President Barack Obama won in November, Deutch said he thought that Wexler might take another job.

Once Wexler made it official, Deutch wasted no time, appealing to the voting blocs that had helped Wexler keep the seat.

He appealed to Jewish voters in a news release by mentioning restricting Iran's nuclear capabilities four times. His staff arranged for a visit to Kings Point Democratic Club, a major voting bloc in Tamarac. He lined up campaign workers and volunteers, some allied with Wexler.

He raked in what he said is more than $100,000.

``He didn't hem and haw,'' said state Rep. Kelly Skidmore of Boca Raton, who endorsed Deutch. ``It gives people the feeling he is very serious. It's not licking his finger and sticking it up and seeing which way the wind is blowing.''

Some observers speculate that Wexler and other key members of Congress are helping clear the field for Deutch, an elected official since 2006. Wexler, in Turkey, could not be reached for comment.

The two share much in common. Both are religious Jews -- Wexler is orthodox while Deutch belongs to a Conservative temple and attends Torah study at an Orthodox shul.

``I think that he is the heir apparent,'' Ring said. ``Ted and Robert share very significant beliefs. They are both liberal, both are heavily focused on Israeli issues.''

And they could continue to help each other: Wexler, by backing Deutch's campaign and helping him get a spot on the foreign affairs committee; and Deutch, by helping Wexler raise funds for the Mideast think tank he will run.

When Deutch was asked if anyone was trying to clear the field for him, he said: ``If there is anyone working to try to make sure this goes as well as it can, that's me.''

Meantime, another potential candidate -- Broward Mayor Ritter -- said she has no timeline for a decision.

``Mostly I am spending time talking to fundraisers because I think the ability to raise money is more important than anything right now,'' she said.

At least a couple of Broward politicians have already announced they will support Boca Raton's Deutch, including state legislators Ari Porth and Jim Waldman.

If Ritter jumps in, she'll face questions about an open elections complaint filed by a political enemy. Also, her lobbyist husband Russ Klenet has been the subject of news reports for ties to indicted GOP donor Alan Mendelsohn, though Klenet has not been accused by officials of wrongdoing.

Though the majority of the voters live in Palm Beach County, political leaders say Ritter is credible because she warms up a crowd quickly and would do well on TV. Ritter beat a two-time school board member for her first legislative race in 1996 in a two-month campaign.

And she knows how to raise money.

``She has a lot of connections in the Obama administration that would assist her in raising money,'' Waldman said.

``I wouldn't count her out.''

Former Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber, who now lives in Delray Beach, is running as a Democrat and is seeking his third bid for Congress.

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