DeSantis replacement race highlights Florida’s crucial primary showdowns
Florida primary voters will determine congressional outcomes in four redistricted seats favoring Republicans, while incumbents navigate redrawn maps and a Democratic Socialist challenges.
According to Victor Nava writing in New York Post, the August 18 contests mark the first electoral test under newly implemented congressional maps that political experts predict will favor Republicans in four House districts ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Redistricting Creates Republican Opportunities in Four Districts
Florida’s redrawn 14th Congressional District, currently held by Representative Kathy Castor, who faces no Democratic opposition, has attracted several Republican candidates. The GOP primary features former state Representatives Mike Beltran and Kevin Steele, alongside Bea Valenti, who served as an adviser to Senator Ashley Moody and worked in the White House during President Trump’s first term. Trump has not issued an endorsement in this race.
In the 9th Congressional District, Representative Darren Soto runs unopposed for the Democratic nomination while Republicans Jorge Martinez, a businessman, former Osceola County School Board member Thomas Chalifoux, and rancher Ben Butler compete for their party’s nomination without a Trump endorsement.
The 22nd Congressional District sees Representative Lois Frankel abandoning her current seat to run in the 23rd District Democratic primary. Leading GOP candidates include university administrator Belinda Keiser, businessman Casey Askar, and entrepreneur Michael Carbonara.
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz similarly opted to compete in the vacant 20th District Democratic primary rather than defend her 25th District seat. The Republican field includes businessman Dan Franzese, former state Representative George Moraitis, and former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer.
Democratic Socialist Challenges Centrist Incumbent
The newly configured 25th Congressional District Democratic primary pits centrist Representative Jared Moskowitz against socialist insurgent Oliver Larkin.
Larkin, 33, openly promotes endorsements from far-left streamer Hasan Piker and controversial children’s content creator Ms. Rachel on his campaign website, while highlighting his membership in the Broward County Democratic Socialists of America.
A former organizer for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, Larkin advocates for abolishing the Senate and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza, and numerous other far-left positions.
Moskowitz, who entered the House in 2023, maintains strong support for Israel and has secured backing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Polling and fundraising data indicate the incumbent holds a commanding advantage heading into election day.
Wasserman Schultz Faces Indicted Former Colleague and Hip Hop Legend
Wasserman Schultz, the former Democratic National Committee chair who has served in Congress since 2005, faces multiple challengers in the black-majority 20th District race.
Among her opponents is former Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned from the House earlier this year after federal prosecutors indicted her on 15 counts alleging she diverted $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds toward her political campaigns and luxury purchases, including a 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s trial is scheduled for February, with potential sentencing of up to 53 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
The longtime congresswoman also confronts a challenge from Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, the rapper who fronted the 1980s hip hop group 2 Live Crew.
Polling in the 20th District shows wildly divergent results, with some surveys indicating Campbell leads by 24 points while others show Wasserman Schultz ahead by 18 points.
Trump-Endorsed Congressman Battles Ethics Investigation
Representative Cory Mills fights to retain his 7th Congressional District seat while facing domestic assault allegations, “stolen valor” accusations, and reports of a Justice Department investigation.
Mills, currently under House Ethics Committee scrutiny over what the panel describes as serious and complex allegations, faces several Republican challengers including former Orlando news anchor Ryan Elijah.
Elijah has accumulated dozens of endorsements in recent weeks, including from Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos.
Mills categorically denies all wrongdoing and has received three separate endorsements from Trump, while drawing warm reception at a recent GOP debate in the district.
With information from New York Post
