Eleven Republicans vie to succeed term-limited DeSantis
Florida voters head to the polls Tuesday in primaries that will set the major-party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate, and every U.S. House seat in the state. These primaries are the first set of congressional primaries held under a redrawn district map that the Associated Press reports was designed to boost Republican candidates in November.
The gubernatorial primary is the primary that, according to AP, could set the direction for both parties in the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is leaving the governor’s office under Florida’s term-limits law. AP reports that a longstanding rivalry between DeSantis and President Donald Trump “broadly shapes” the Republican contest.
Eleven candidates are competing for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. AP names four: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Florida’s lieutenant governor; U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a member of the U.S. House; former investment firm CEO James Fishback; and former state House Speaker Paul Renner.
On the Democratic side, the gubernatorial primary features a contest between moderate and progressive candidates. AP reports that the Democratic contenders are competing “to guide beleaguered state Democrats out of their electoral doldrums.”
The U.S. Senate primary will fill the unexpired portion of Rubio’s term. Rubio holds the position of Secretary of State in the Trump administration. The Senate primary will run alongside the gubernatorial and congressional primaries on Tuesday’s ballot.
Florida’s congressional primaries on Tuesday are the first held under the redrawn district map. According to AP, the new map was designed to boost Republican candidates in November’s general election. Primary winners from both parties will advance to compete in their respective districts.
Tuesday’s primaries will set the major-party nominees for governor, the remainder of Rubio’s U.S. Senate term, and every U.S. House seat in Florida.