By 9 A.M. on Florida’s primary day, approximately 2.1 million voters had already cast their ballots, with Republicans leading the turnout. GOP voters accounted for 1,003,702 of the ballots, representing 47 percent of the total, while Democrats comprised 39 percent of the electorate, with 830,030 votes. Voters with no party affiliation totaled 241,843, or 11 percent, while those affiliated with other parties comprised 23,128 votes, or one percent.
Florida’s 1st Congressional District is drawing attention, where Rep. Matt Gaetz, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, faces a serious challenge from Aaron Dimmock, a former U.S. Navy officer, who has raised more than $3.1 million to unseat the incumbent.
The race has attracted national interest, fueled by high-profile endorsements. Gaetz has secured the backing of former President Donald Trump, as well as conservative figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Dimmock, meanwhile, has garnered support from several retired military leaders and moderate Republicans, who have voiced concerns over Gaetz’s divisive style and legal controversies.
In the Republican primary for Florida’s State Senate District 7, state Rep. Tom Leek is competing against David Shoar, the former St. Johns County sheriff. Leek has received endorsements from state Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez. Shoar, who was recently endorsed by Trump and praised as a “tremendous America First Patriot,” also gained support from local leaders and law enforcement organizations.
In Miami-Dade County, voters will decide on a new mayor, with incumbent Democrat Daniella Levine Cava seeking re-election. Levine Cava, who won her 2020 election with 54 percent of the vote, faces numerous challengers, including Manny Cid, the Republican mayor of Miami Lakes; Carlos Garín, a Republican former congressional candidate; Alexander Otaola, a Republican social media influencer and activist; Miguel Quintero, a Libertarian trapeze artist; Eddy Rojas, an independent cargo and transportation executive; and Shlomo Danzinger, a Republican and former mayor of Surfside.
The race has been clouded by controversy after Danzinger filed a lawsuit against Levine Cava and election officials on Monday, alleging manipulation of ballot positioning. The lawsuit claims Levine Cava submitted two versions of her Candidate Oath form, with the second omitting her dual last names, allowing her to be listed first on the ballot. Prior to the second filing, Levine Cava would have appeared fourth on the ballot out of seven candidates. Within the complaint, Danzinger argued the change was intended to give her an unfair advantage and is seeking to have her disqualified.
School board races across Florida have also drawn attention, partly due to the involvement of DeSantis. The governor, who has made education a central issue of his administration, recently endorsed 23 school board candidates across 14 counties who align with his conservative education agenda. These candidates generally support parental rights in education, oppose critical race theory, and advocate for school choice.
“I’m happy to endorse this slate of school board candidates who have pledged to serve with a focus on student success, parental rights, and curriculum transparency,” DeSantis wrote on X last month. “We want the best for our children and I’m confident all 23 candidates will build upon the success we’ve had here in Florida.”
The Florida Democratic Party, led by Chairwoman Nikki Fried, announced last month its intent to support 11 school board candidates through the party’s ‘Take Back Local’ initiative. The slate includes six challengers and five incumbents selected for their potential to counter far-right influences on school boards, with the party noting the need to prioritize student well-being, teacher support, and a focus on educational equity across the state.
The Democrat backed school board candidates include Stephanie Arguello (Seminole County), Nadia Combs (Hillsborough County, incumbent), Debbi Hixon (Broward County, incumbent), Sarah Leonardi (Broward County, incumbent), Sarah Mannion (Duval County), Jeremy Rogers (Leon County), Luisa Santos (Miami-Dade County, incumbent), Rebecca Thompson (Broward County), Max Tuchman (Miami-Dade County), Stephanie Vanos (Orange County), Jessica Vaughn (Hillsborough County, incumbent).
“Our Take Back Local program is our way of investing in the candidates we feel will be most competitive in the upcoming election,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “We are not going to let Ron DeSantis and his allies take over our school boards with far-right, Moms for Liberty candidates,” said Fried in a prepared release last month. “These six candidates and five incumbents represent the best of Florida’s education system and offer a clear contrast to the culture wars Republicans have been waging in our school systems. I’m proud to support them in their fight to make life better for students and teachers across our state.”
Meanwhile, the Tallahassee City Commission races involve seven candidates competing for two seats, and has seen political mudslinging on social media. In Seat 1, incumbent Jacqueline “Jack” Porter is running against Pastor Rudolph Ferguson, with the race seen as a contest between progressive and more traditional influences on the commission. For Seat 2, incumbent Curtis Richardson faces a challenge from former mayor Dot Inman-Johnson, Bernard Stevens, and Donna Nyack. The outcomes of these races could shift the balance of power on the commission, either solidifying the current majority aligned with Mayor John Dailey or giving progressives a potential 3-2 control