Federal Races

All Congressional incumbents won their general elections. Below is a breakdown of the three open-seat Congressional races and the one contentious incumbent race. 

In US Senate Race, Senator Marco Rubio (R) defeated former Congresswoman Val Demings (D) by double digits to retain his seat in the US Senate.

In District 2, Congressman Neal Dunn (R) easily defeated Congressman Al Lawson (D). The two were pitted against each other due to changes made during redistricting.

In the newly drawn 4th Congressional District, Aaron Bean (R), an outgoing State Senator, emerged victorious, defeating Democrat LJ Holloway by over 20 percentage points.

In the 7th Congressional District race to replace retiring Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Cory Mills (R), a veteran and defense contractor, defeated Karen Green (D), to flip this seat to the Republicans. 

In the 10th Congressional District to replace Congresswoman Val Demings (D), Maxwell Frost (D), a 25-year-old, with no college degree or political experience, defeated his challenger to retain this seat for the Democrats.

In the 13th Congressional District, vacated by Charlie Crist (D) who is running for Governor, Anna Paulina Luna, a self-branded America First candidate, faced off against Democrat Eric Lynn, who worked as national security advisor for several Secretaries of Defense. In this slightly R-leaning seat, Luna best Lynn by about 9 points. 

In the 15th Congressional District, which is new following the census, former Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee easily defeated her opponent in this R-leaning seat.

In the 23^rd Congressional District, In the 23rd Congressional District, opened due to Ted Deutch declining to seek reelection, Jared Moskowitz (D), a former State Representative and Director of Emergency Management for Governor DeSantis, easily won the election in this D-leaning seat.

In the 27^th Congressional District, incumbent Maria Salazar (R) faced off against former State Senator Anette Taddeo (D) in a very contentious reelection bid. Ultimately, Republican turnout and independent voter support helped Salazar retain her seat. 

State Cabinet

Governor Ron DeSantis (R) defeated Congressman and former Governor Charlie Crist (D) by a whopping 17%. Ultimately DeSantis’ results on cutting taxes, keeping unemployment low and keeping the state open during COVID proved too difficult to overcome for Crist. The race was called within minutes of polls closing.

In the race for Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis (R) was elected to a second term, easily defeating former state Representative Adam Hattersly (D). 

In the race for Attorney General, Ashley Moody (R) defeated former state prosecutor Aramis Ayalya (D) and will enjoy another 4 years in office.

Former Senate President Wilton Simpson (R) cruised to victory in his first statewide election, being elected as the state’s next Commissioner of Agriculture. He takes over the post from democrat Nikki Fried, who chose not to seek reelection and instead  run for Governor. 

State Senate

In District 3 (Tallahassee/Quincy), incumbent Loranne Ausley (D) faced challenger Corey Simon (R), former CEO of Volunteer Florida and a well-known former Florida State football player. Simon also received the endorsement of Governor DeSantis. Following redistricting, this previous democrat leaning seat presented the Republicans an opportunity to flip it. Following a very contentious race, Simon successfully defeated Ausley.

In District 10 (Central Florida), incumbent Senator Jason Brodeur (R) defeated Democrat state Representative Joy Goff-Marcil. Following redistricting, this newly shaped district became a target for the Senate Democrats to flip. However, Brodeur had a significant money and ground game advantage that proved insurmountable. 

In District 14 (Tampa), Jay Collins (R), a green-beret veteran who also held the Governor’s endorsement defeated incumbent Senator Janet Cruz (D). In a seat that has flipped before, and in a midterm year, Republicans saw Cruz as vulnerable. They were proven right by almost 10 points.

 In District 38 (Miami), an open seat due to Anette Taddeo (D) seeking congressional office, Janelle Perez (D) faced Alexis Calatayud (R) to keep this seat in the Democratic hands. Perez, a Cuban-American, voted to stand up for LGBTQ rights, abortion rights and environmental protection. Calatayud, also a Cuban-American, stood behind her experience as a former legislative staffer and Department of Education Program Director to bring results to Miami if elected. In a race that turned very negative, Calatayud bested Perez by over 8 points.

State House

In District 37 (Orlando), incumbent Carlos Guillermo-Smith (D) succumbed to a challenge from Susan Plasencia (R) in a seat that became less of a Democratic stronghold following redistricting.

In District 38 (Orlando), incumbent David Smith (R) retained his seat against Sarah Henry (D). This seat was targeted by the Democrats as a potential flip with the changes made to the district following redistricting. 

In District 60 (St. Petersburg), Lindsay Cross (D) defeated Audrey Henson (R) in this seat previously held by Ben Diamond (D).  Historically held by Democrats, the district had large portions of Republican voters to counter the Democratic voters in downtown St. Pete. However, the Democratic stronghold was too difficult for Henson to overcome. 

In District 69 (Tampa Bay), challenger Danny Alvarez (R) defeated incumbent Andrew Learned (D) in a race that the Republicans identified as a potential flip. Learned, a businessman and moderate, relied on his record in the Legislature of siding with business interests on issues including litigation reform and insurance. Ultimately, Alvarez surfed the red wave by a +12 margin.

In District 113 (Miami),  Vicki Lopez (R) narrowly defeated AJ D’Amico (D) in this open House seat. D’Amico is a lawyer and former state legislative aide. Lopez is a criminal justice activist and former Lee County Commissioner. 

 Florida State Constitution

Amendment 1: Failed   This amendment would have allowed the Florida Legislature to pass laws that would make improvements intended to protect homes from flood damage exempt from higher assessments. 

Amendment 2: Failed    Proposed to abolish the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission, which convenes every 20 years and whose 37 members to place constitutional amendments on the ballot. 

Amendment 3: Failed    Attempted to authorize the state Legislature to create a new homestead exemption of up to $50,000 for certain public service employees, including classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare service professionals, active duty military, and members of the Florida National Guard.