Florida voters are choosing nominees Tuesday for governor, U.S. Senate and Congress in an election that could reshape both Tallahassee and Washington. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited, creating Florida’s first open governor’s race in eight years.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds enters Election Day widely regarded as the favorite for the Republican nomination. If Donalds wins in November, he would become Florida’s first Black governor.
The Democratic contest is led by former Republican congressman David Jolly, who has sought to present himself as a moderate alternative capable of competing in a state that has shifted substantially toward Republicans.
Florida voters are also selecting nominees for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Marco Rubio.
Republican Ashley Moody, appointed to the seat after Rubio joined the Trump administration as secretary of state, is heavily favored to win the GOP nomination. Democrats will choose their challenger.
But congressional races may have the greatest national consequences.
Tuesday is the first primary under a newly adopted Florida congressional map expected by analysts to strengthen Republicans significantly in November. Reuters reports the map could potentially produce as many as four additional Republican House seats.
That matters because control of Congress is narrowly divided.
Florida’s district lines could therefore influence not simply which candidates represent the state—but which party controls the U.S. House next year.
The Advocate Angle
For The Orlando Advocate, the history surrounding Byron Donalds deserves attention without becoming the whole story.
Representation matters.
So does policy.
If Donalds becomes the Republican nominee tonight, we will examine what his platform means for housing, insurance, public education, property taxes and Black Floridians.
History should open the story.
Governance should finish it.
- Kevin Seraaj
- Kevin Seraaj
- Kevin Seraaj
- Kevin Seraaj
