Florida primary election features gubernatorial race, redistricting contests and high-profile congressional primaries
Florida voters will select nominees for governor and several U.S. House seats on Aug. 18, with new congressional maps favoring Republicans and notable primary challenges in both parties.
Voters in Florida will cast ballots on Aug. 18 to choose nominees for governor and multiple U.S. House districts, the first contests held under newly drawn congressional maps that analysts say give Republicans an advantage in four districts for the November midterms.
In the gubernatorial race, eleven Republicans, including Rep. Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner, are competing for the party’s nomination. Donalds, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump and has raised more than $100 million, leads polls by a wide margin, according to a RealClearPolitics average. On the Democratic side, former Republican Rep. David Jolly, now a Democrat, is the early favorite.
Four House districts—Florida’s 14th, 9th, 22nd and 25th—have been reshaped by redistricting. All four are currently held by Democrats who are either running unopposed or seeking a different district, while the Republican primaries feature candidates such as former state Rep. Mike Beltran, businessman Jorge Martinez and entrepreneur Michael Carbonara.
In the newly drawn 25th District, centrist incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz faces a primary challenge from Oliver Larkin, a self-identified democratic socialist backed by far-left streamer Hasan Piker. Moskowitz, a strong supporter of Israel, is endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and leads in polls and fundraising.
Long-time Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running in the majority-Black 20th District and faces former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was indicted on 15 counts related to alleged misuse of COVID-19 relief funds, as well as rapper Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell. Polls show a mixed picture of the race.
Republican Rep. Cory Mills, seeking re-election in the 7th District, is under investigation for alleged domestic assault and “stolen valor” accusations and is being challenged by former Orlando news anchor Ryan Elijah, who has secured endorsements from several GOP lawmakers. Mills has denied wrongdoing and has been endorsed three times by Trump.
"Byron Donalds leads the Republican governor’s primary by 34 points," a RealClearPolitics poll average shows. "Moskowitz has a fundraising advantage and is backed by the DCCC," campaign filings indicate. "Mills denies any wrongdoing and points to his three Trump endorsements," his campaign statement said.