MHDNews | Florida Primary Election Unofficial Results

November 8, 2022 – 10:08 p.m.

The busy 2022 election cycle ended tonight with few surprises. Weeks before the general election, political insiders predicted gains by the Republican party across the state, citing increased voter registrations, higher early voting turnout, and the popularity of Governor Ron DeSantis. When the votes were tallied, Republicans gained numbers in Florida’s Congressional Delegation, the Cabinet and both chambers of the Legislature.

Historically, Democrats led Republicans in Florida voter registrations. However, an influx of new voters over the last few years has given Republicans the registration lead by nearly 300,000 voters. Midterm elections typically have a lower voter turnout than those where the President is on the ballot and tonight was no different. Heading into election night, over 2.5 million Vote by Mail ballots were returned – 43% by Democrats, 36% by Republicans and 19% by voters with no party affiliation. More than 2.3 million voters took advantage of early voting – 51% Republicans, 30% Democrats and 1% No Party Affiliation voters.  Republicans appear to have turned out in higher numbers to vote today which, in part, led to their gains across the state.

As of 10:00 pm, the majority of the results were tallied and winners in most races were declared. Below are highlights of the general election results. You may access the latest results reported by the Florida Department of State here.

Florida U.S. Senate & Congressional Delegation

The 2020 United States Census resulted in the gain of one seat (for a total of 28) in Florida’s Congressional Delegation. All 28 seats were subject to election as well as one of the two U.S. Senate seats.

U.S. Senate

Republican Senator Marco Rubio faced Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings from Central Florida in a hotly contested race. More than $56 million was spent on this race by both candidates.  Ultimately, Rubio garnered approximately 57% of the vote securing another term in the Senate.

U.S House of Representatives

Outlined below were the most competitive races for the U.S. House:

• District 2 -Changes to this district through the reapportionment process drew much debate when Democrat Congressman Al Lawson’s hometown of Tallahassee was drawn into the district held by Republican Panama City Congressman Neal Dunn.  A lawsuit was filed to preserve the Lawson seat; however, an appeals court blocked the decision. When the votes were tallied, Congressman Dunn won handily with more than 60% of the vote.

   

• District 7 - This Orlando-based seat became more competitive for Republicans following the reapportionment process which spurred the Democratic incumbent to not seek re-election.  Republican defense contractor Cory Mills ultimately won the race with 58% of the vote against Democratic businesswoman Karen Green, giving the seat to the Republican party.

• District 13 - Republican veteran Anna Paulina Luna lost the 2020 race for this seat to Democrat Charlie Crist however, the reapportionment process made the district more favorable for a Republican. Two weeks before the election, Luna and Democrat Eric Lynn were in a dead heat. Ultimately Luna changed the seat to Republican winning with 54% of the vote. 

• District 27 - This newly created Republican performing seat near Tampa resulted in crowded primaries in both parties. Former Secretary of State Laurel Lee won the seat with nearly 59% of the vote to defeat journalist Alan Cohn.

Below are the six new members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation:

• District 4 – Aaron Bean (R)
• District 7 - Cory Mills (R)
• District 10 - Maxwell Frost (D
• District 13 - Anna Paulina Luna (R)
• District 15 - Laurel Lee (R)
• District 23 - Jared Moskowitz (D)

Florida Governor & Cabinet

As predicted throughout the election cycle, Governor DeSantis won re-election handily over Democratic U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist. Overall, nearly $73 million was spent on this race and DeSantis garnered 59% of the vote.

Republicans Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis also won re-election after drawing only nominal opposition in the general election.   General Moody garnered 60% of the vote over Democrat Aramis Ayala.  CFO Patronis earned 59% of the vote over Democrat Adam Hattersley.

Joining the Cabinet as the new Agriculture Commissioner is former Republican Senate President Wilton Simpson who garnered 59% of the vote.  He replaces Democratic Commissioner Nikki Fried which gives Republicans full control of the Florida Cabinet.

Florida Senate

There were 11 open seats in the Senate due to members reaching their eight-year term limit, running for another office, or leaving office altogether. Six Senators were re-elected when they did not draw opposition at the end of the qualifying period.

Further, two House members - Republicans Erin Grall (Vero Beach) and Bryan Avila (Miami) were elected to the Senate when they did not draw opposition. 

Heading into the election cycle, the breakdown of Republicans to Democrats in the Senate was 24 to 17. When the votes were tallied, Republicans appear to have secured a supermajority with a total of 27 seats.  The most hotly contested general election races were as follows:

• Senate District 3 | The race for this historically Democratic North Florida seat became highly contentious between incumbent Democrat Senator Loranne Ausley and former College and NFL football star Corey Simon. Redistricting during the 2022 Session made the seat more competitive for Republicans. Simon garnered approximately 52% of the vote, delivering the seat to the Republican Party for this first time. 

   

• Senate District 10 | This district became more welcoming to a Democratic candidate due to reapportionment during the 2022 Session. However, Republican Senator Jason Brodeur benefited from a strong Republican turnout on election night to fight off Democratic Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil by gathering more than 54% of the vote to keep this central Florida district.

   

• Senate District 14 | This Tampa Bay-based race became one of the most hotly contested this cycle. Republican Army veteran Jay Collins, endorsed by Governor DeSantis, challenged incumbent Democratic Senator Janet Cruz for this typically Democratic performing seat. Ultimately, Collins bested Cruz with almost 55% of the vote.

   

• Senate District 36 | Republican Senator Ileana Garcia won in 2020 by only 32 votes which made this seat a target for the Democratic party. However, former Democratic Miami Beach Commissioner Raquel Pacheco could not outpace the Republican turnout in South Florida. Garcia collected 59% of the vote to win re-election.

   

• Senate District 38 | Democratic Senator Annette Taddeo vacated this South Florida seat to run for Congress. The Senate race pit two first time candidates against each other for this district where voter registration slightly favors the Democrat. When the votes were tallied, Republican Department of Education director Alexis Calatayud garnered 54% of the vote to hold off Democrat health care executive Janelle Perez and pick up this seat for the Republicans

Below are the 13 new members of the 2023-24 Senate (by district):

District 2 - Rep. Jay Trumbull (R)

District 3 - Corey Simon (R)

District 4 - Rep. Clay Yarborough (R)

District 5 - Rep. Tracie Davis (D)

District 11 - Rep. Blaise Ingoglia (R)

District 12 - Rep. Colleen Burton (R)

District 14 - Jay Collins (R)

District 15 - Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D)

District 18 - Rep. Nick DiCeglie (R)

District 29 - Rep. Erin Grall (R)

District 33 - Jonathan Martin (R)

District 38 - Alexis Calatayud (R)

District 39 - Rep. Bryan Avila (R)

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Florida House

A total of 28 incumbents Representatives (and one new member) were elected in June when they did not draw an opponent during the candidate qualifying period. Further, 22 members were effectively re-elected following the August primary election. Below were the most closely watched primary races:

• House District 37 | Democratic incumbent Carlos Guillermo Smith drew a tough opponent for this seat when portions of Seminole county were added to the district during the redistricting process. The change made the district more competitive for a Republican which led to the win tonight by first time candidate, Susan Plasencia with 52% of the vote.

   

• House District 38 | Following the redistricting process, many speculated that this Central Florida seat held by Republican veteran David Smith could be won by a Democrat. However, strong Republican turnout and an endorsement by the Governor ended with Smith winning re-election with approximately 52% of the vote.

   

   

• House District 45 | The race to represent the open House seat encompassing portions of Orange and Osceola counties was one of the most hotly contested this cycle.  Republican university vice president Carolina Amesty and businessman Allie Braswell were the contenders.  While both candidates gathered impressive endorsements from their respective party leaders, Amesty won with 53% of the vote.

 

 

 

• House District 60 | This historically Democratic district was not originally expected to be a contested race. However, the late entrance of the well-funded Republican Audrey Henson against Democrat Lindsey Cross changed the dynamics. Ultimately, Lindsey Cross garnered more than 53% of the vote keeping this seat for the Democratic party.

 

 

• House District 65 | This Tampa-based seat, vacated by Rep. Jackie Toledo to run for Congress, was made more competitive for a Democratic candidate during the reapportionment process. The race was expensive with Republican Karen Pittman spending over $320,000 and Democratic Jen McDonald raising slightly below that amount.  When the votes were tallied, Pittman garnered 54% of the vote to keep the seat Republican.

   

• House District 91 | The reapportionment process lowered the Democratic performance of this seat making it more competitive for Republicans.  Democrat Andy Thomson was well-funded and was endorsed by local elected Democrats, including Rep. Emily Slosberg-King, who previously held the seat. Republican Peggy Gossett-Seidman benefitted from high Republican voter turnout and is expected to win.

   

• House District 113 | Even though Democrat Rep. Nick Duran held this seat the last eight years, the voter performance has trended more Republican.  Democratic attorney A.J. D’Amico gained Rep. Duran’s endorsement but trailed in fundraising. Republican Vicki Lopez amassed nearly $450,000 for the race and ultimately changed the seat to Republican winning 51% of the vote

Outlined below are the new members of the House:

District 3 - Joel Rudman (R)

District 5 - Shane Abbott (R)

District 6 - Griff Grifitts (R)

District 8 - Franklin Gallop (D)

District 14 - Kimberly Daniels (D)

District 15 - Dean Black (R)

District 16 - Kiyan Michael (R)

District 17 - Jessica Baker (R)

District 25 - Taylor Yarkosky (R)

District 30 - Chase Tramont (R)

District 34 - Robert Brackett (R)

District 36 - Rachel Plakon (R)

District 37 - Susan Plasencia (R)

District 39 - Doug Bankson (R)

District 40 - Lavon Bracy Davis (D)

District 41 - Bruce Antone (D)

District 43 – Johanna Lopez (D)

District 44 - Rita Harris (D)

District 45 - Carolina Amesty

District 47 - Paula Stark (R)

District 50 - Jennifer Canady (R)

District 52 - John Temple (R)

District 53 - Jeff Holcomb (R)

District 55 - Kevin Steele (R)

District 56 - Brad Yaeger (R)

District 57 - Adam Anderson (R)

Districts 58 - Kim Berfield (R)

District 59 - Berny Jacques (R)

District 60 - Lindsey Cross (D)

District 65 - Karen Pittman (R)

District 69 - Daniel Alvarez (R)

District 77 - Tiffany Esposito (R)

District 91 - Gossett Seidman(R)

District 93 - Katherine Waldron (D)

District 97 - Lisa Dunkley (D)

District 101 - Hillary Cassel (D)

District 106 – Leonard (D)/Basabe (R)**

District 109 - Ashley Gantt (D)

District 113 - Vicki Lopez (R)

District 115 - Alina Garcia (R)

District 119 - Juan Porras (R)

**Too Close to Call

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