Republican Debbie Mayfield will return to the Florida Senate after winning a special election Tuesday for the District 19 seat, defeating Democrat Vance Ahrens by a margin of 54.4% to 45.6%. The district covers southern Brevard County.

Mayfield previously served in the Senate from 2016 to 2024 before being term-limited. She resigned her House District 32 seat earlier this month to seek the Senate seat vacated by Randy Fine, who resigned in March to run for Congress. Mayfield will serve the remainder of Fine’s unexpired term through 2028.

Mayfield’s candidacy was initially challenged under state term limits law, but the Florida Supreme Court ruled unanimously in her favor, allowing her to appear on the ballot.

“Thank you, Senate District 19! From qualifying, to the Supreme Court fight, to a 4-way primary, we never backed down. I’ll fight for tax relief, lower insurance, and the values that make America great!” Mayfield said on X. 

First elected to the House in 2008, Mayfield has held various leadership roles during her legislative tenure, including Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Rules Committee. She won the April 1 Republican primary for the Senate seat with 60.8% of the vote in a four-candidate field.

Also on Tuesday, Republican Brian Hodgers won the House District 32 seat Mayfield vacated, defeating Democrat Juan Hinojosa with 55.3% of the vote.