MELBOURNE, Fla. – The election is just weeks away and politics is heating up in Brevard County.
Because of term limits and a retirement, there are at least four races with no incumbent, and all the districts include Melbourne.
There are some familiar faces.
As Republicans look to hold on to seats, it looks like a game of political musical chairs.
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Thad Altman has served in Florida’s legislature representing Brevard County for 23 years, but he has now been termed out of his District 32 Senate seat.
“I really care about this community, living here on the Space Coast and growing up here on the Space Coast,” Altman told News 6.
“I was the only employee in both the house and the senate, the only elected official who actually worked here physically at the Kennedy Space Center, so I think that brings a certain perspective,” he said.
Here are a few of the races.
Representative Bill Posey is retiring from his post in District 8 in the U.S. House.
State Senator Debbie Mayfield has termed out of her District 19 Senate seat and is now running for a house seat in District 32.
That seat is open because Thad Altman was termed out and is now running for Brevard County Commission.
Randy Fine left his District 33 House seat to run for Mayfield’s open senate seat.
He will now face off with a newcomer to the political scene, Vance Ahrens.
“I’m hopeful,” Vance told News 6.
Ahrens hopes to be Florida’s first openly trans state senator.
Hers is one of at least four races with no incumbent.
“This is a very, very, Republican area, so it is a very difficult race, but being that it is an open seat, there are advantages of not having an incumbent,” Ahrens told News 6.
Ahrens, who is a Democrat, says she entered the race in part because of what she considers anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that Florida’s lawmakers have passed in recent years.
“It seems that the Republicans have been focused on culture wars instead of solving the problems that face all Floridians,” Ahrens said.
Ahrens says she knows she is the underdog because her opponent has been in politics and has name recognition, but she says she feels confident in the race.
Altman, who is a Republican, is focusing on his county commission race and doing away with divisive politics, he said.
“I think you focus on issues and not personalities. You focus on platforms, not parties. You focus on needs and not politics,” Altman said.