Federal Races

President Trump and Vice President Biden easily won their primary election to be the nominees in the general election.

All, but one Congressional incumbent won their primary elections. Below is a breakdown of several contentious races:

In the 3rd  district, seven Republicans and three Democrats competed for the GOP nomination to replace Rep. Ted Yoho. Kat Cammack, who had worked as Yoho’s campaign manager and deputy chief of staff, emerged victorious in the Republican primary and is expected to easily win this November.

In the 13th district seat, currently held by Congressman Charlie Crist (D), Republicans battled to face him on the general election ballot. Anna Paulina Luna, an Air Force veteran who had support from top allies of President Donald Trump, scored an upset in a three-way Republican primary. She defeated Amanda Makki, who had the backing of GOP establishment figures such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. She faces Congressman Charlie Crist in the general election. 

In the 15th Congressional District, incumbent Congressman Ross Spano (R) was defeated by Scott Franklin (R) and will go out as a one-term Congressman. Spano was troubled by a 2018 campaign finance mistake and faced attacks from both the left and the right, including Congressman Matt Gaetz, who endorsed Franklin. Scott Franklin will face Alan Cohn (D) in the general election. Cohn, a former investigative journalist, defeated state Rep. Adam Hattersley, who replaced Spano in Florida House District 59 in 2018. 

In the 19th Congressional District, a solid Republican seat, former Republican state legislators Byron Donalds and Dane Eagle both ran in a crowded primary to replace retiring Congressman Francis Rooney. With all precincts reporting, Donalds won with 22.56% of the vote to Eagle’s 21.87%; the two were separated by 719 votes. A recount is triggered by a margin of 0.5% or less. Fast food mogul Casey Askar trailed with 19.98% and Dr. William Figlesthaler took 18.37%. Those four topped a nine-Republican field of candidates. Donalds will face Cindy Banyai (D) in the general election.

State Senate

In addition to half of the body being up for reelection this election cycle, a special election to replace Sen. Tom Lee, who resigned early, was also on the ballot. Republicans currently hold a 23 to 17 advantage in the Senate, and the Democrats’ focus will now turn to attempting to pick up seats in key battleground districts, fueled by their hope for a down-ballot Presidential bump. As for today’s competitive primaries:

In District 3, Marva Preston (R), a former law enforcement officer, won her primary and will face Rep. Loranne Ausley (D) in the general election. The winner will replace Sen. Bill Montford (D)  who termed out of this historically blue seat. 

In District 5, Jennifer Bradley (R), wife of outgoing Senator Rob Bradley, won her primary. She is expected to easily win her general election.

In District 9, Patricia Sigman (D) won a 5-way primary to face off with former state Representative Jason Brodeur (R) in the general election to replaced term-limited Sen. David Simmons (R).

In District 21, former state Representative Jim Boyd (R) won his primary election. The political composition of his district nearly ensures his election to the Senate in November.

In District 27—the race to replace term-limited Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R)—state Representative Ray Rodrigues faced off against state Representative Heather Fitzenhagen in a contentious primary battle. For most of 2019 and 2020, Rep Rodrigues faced no opposition. Then, on qualifying day, Rep. Fitzenhagen abruptly withdrew from a Congressional run and filed for this seat. Ultimately, Rep. Rodrigues soundly defeated Rep. Fitzenhagen  with 75% of the vote and will likely become a state senator this November, due to the district’s majority Republican composition.

In District 29, state Rep. Tina Polsky (D) defeated former state Rep. Irv Slosberg to replace Sen. Kevin Rader (D), who chose not to seek election for his final 2-year term of office. The margin of defeat was approximately 70% to 30%.

In District 35, the race to replace term-limited Sen. Oscar Braynon (D), state Rep. Shevrin Jones (D) emerged from a 6-way primary with 43% of the vote, defeating state Rep. Barbara Watson (D) and former Senator Daphne Campbell (D). He does not have any general election opposition and will be the next State Senator for District 35.

State House

In the Florida House of Representatives, all 120 seats were up this cycle. Republicans currently hold a 73 to 47 advantage. Following the primary election, 23 House seats have been won, either by candidates running unopposed or by candidates who emerged from their primaries without opposition in the general election. Another handful of races have also likely been decided in heavily Republican or Democratic districts the general election will be in name only. Three incumbents lost their race: State Rep. Mike Hill (R) inn Escambia County, State Rep. Kimberly Daniels (D) in Duval County and Rep. Al Jacquet (D) in Palm Beach County.

In District 1, incumbent Mike Hill (R) was upset by Michelle Salzman, long-time Pensacola area volunteer, former president of Escambia County Council of PTAs and Army veteran. She hit Hill's legislative record of failing to get a single bill passed that he sponsored and only filing one appropriations bill during his six legislative sessions. Hill was often at odds with Republican leadership in the House. 

In District 2, incumbent Alex Andrade (R) faced a tough primary challenge from Cris Dosev (R), who had the backing of Rep. Mike Hill (R). Ultimately Rep. Andrade’s money advantage, support from House leadership and legislative successes led him across the victory line by a +20% margin.

In District 4, a four-way Republican primary occurred to replace Rep. Mel Ponder (R), who resigned to run for local office. Patt Maney (R), a retired Judge and Army Reserve General relied on his longtime public service and knowledge of the district to emerge as the winner. He will easily win his general election in this Republican leaning seat.

In House District 12, incumbent state Rep Kimberly Daniels (D) was upset by Angie Dixon (D). Rep. Daniels was considered by many as the most conservative Democrat in the House. Angie Dixon only faces a write-in candidate in the general.

In District 22, Republican Joe Harding won his primary election to replace termed-out Charlie Stone (R). He will be expected to easily win his general election is this red seat.

In District 43, Rep. John Cortes (D) chose to not seek reelection for his final term in office. This led to a 6-way democratic primary to win the seat, as there is no general election opposition. Former state Rep. Riccardo Rangel (D) was among the qualified candidates. Ultimately, Kristen Arrington (D)won this Democratic seat .

In House District 55, Kaylee Tuck (R) defeated Ned Hancock (R) with 56% of the vote for a seat that historically a republican stronghold. This contest was pegged as the establishment versus new blood of the Republican party. 

In District 81, former state Rep. Kelly Skidmore (D) defeated Mike Weinstein (D) to win the Democratic primary. She will face Saulis Banionis (R) in the general election to win this Democratic leaning seat. 

In District 82, the race to replace termed-out Marylynn Magar (R), John Snyder (R), son of former State Rep Will Snyder, defeated his two other primary opponents, including former state Rep. Carl Domino (R). He will face against Eliza Ackerly (D) in the general election. 

In District 88, incumbent State Rep. Al Jacquet (D) lost his seat to Democrat Omari Hardi (D) in a five-way primary contest. Jacquet did not expend any campaign funds during his primary election. 

In District 116, state Rep. Danny Perez (R), who is slated to be Speaker of the House in 2024, faced an unexcepted primary challenger and was forced to spend his campaign war chest to defend his seat. Ultimately, he defeated his primary opponent and will face Democrat Bob Lynch in the general.

In District 120, the race to replace termed-out Holly Raschein, in the three-way Republican primary was, at the time of sending this email, still too close to call between Rhonda Rebman Lopez and Jim Mooney.