ORLANDO, Fla. – Qualifying wrapped up Friday for the August and November elections, and while some state legislature candidates won with no opposition, most voters will find contested races on the ballot for Florida Senate and House.
For the first time in decades, the Florida Democratic Party fielded a candidate for 21 Florida Senate seats and all 120 Florida House seats, while the Republican Party left 17 legislative races without a GOP candidate.
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In the past both parties have let legislative races go unchallenged, but this year the Dems said they were determined to challenge the GOP in every race. They also have Democrats on the ballot in every U.S. Congressional race in Florida this year.
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Republicans hold a supermajority in the Florida House and Florida Senate, which means Democrats don’t have much power in Tallahassee. While the Dems don’t think they can take over either chamber, they do hope to gain enough seats to erase those supermajorities.
It’s also part of the party’s strategy to generate excitement and attract more people to the party, while also forcing Republicans to campaign on the issues and spend money.
“When we field candidates in all of these races, we make sure that Republicans don’t just get to walk into office without being held accountable,” said Eden Giagnorio with the Florida Democratic Party. “Now they’re going to have to spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions, defending their positions and unpopular policies, so we’re not going down without a fight.”
The races where the GOP is not fielding a candidate are all in typically Democratic districts. News 6 has contacted the Republican Party of Florida several times to discuss their candidate recruitment strategy but they did not return our calls.
The Florida Primary Elections are on Aug. 20. Since Florida is a closed primary state, only registered party members can participate in most party primaries. There will be, however, three universal primaries in Central Florida in August.
Voters can also change their party affiliation if they wish before the primary by July 22. That’s the same day as the voter registration deadline.
Florida Senate August races to watch
In the Florida Senate, Orange County Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith attracted no opponents for the District 17 seat formerly held by Sen. Linda Stewart, which means he will take over the seat. The former state representative will represent the county from the Downtown Orlando area to the Brevard County border for a four-year term.
“My heart is full of gratitude for the overwhelming support from my beloved Orlando community,” Smith said in a statement on X Friday.
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There will also be a universal primary in August for Florida Senate District 15, representing part of Orange County, between incumbent Sen. Geraldine Thompson and former Sen. Randolph Bracy. Both candidates are Democrats, but since no non-Democratic candidate qualified for the seat, this race will now be open to all voters regardless of party affiliation.
This race has already generated quite a bit of acrimony between the two candidates, who are both well-respected leaders of the West Orange County community. Thompson also is close to Bracy’s family.
Elsewhere in Central Florida, there will be a Republican primary in August for Florida Senate District 7, representing part of Volusia and Flagler counties. State Rep. Tom Leek is running for the seat and is facing attacks from a dark money group accusing him of being a liberal. He is running against former St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar and Gerry James.
State Rep. Keith Truenow is also facing two GOP opponents, CJ Blanchett and Bowen Kou, in a primary for Florida Senate District 13, covering part of Lake and Orange County. The winner is looking to replace retiring longtime Sen. Dennis Baxley.
In Brevard County, State Rep. Randy Fine is also facing two GOP opponents in an August primary for District 19. The other candidates are Charles Sheridan and Timothy Thomas.
There will also be a Democratic primary and a Republican primary for Florida Senate District 25, representing Orange and Osceola counties.
In the Democratic primary, Carmen Torres, wife of the retiring State Sen. Victor Torres, is running against State Rep. Kristen Arrington and former Congressman Alan Grayson. Jon Arguello and Jose Martinez are running in the Republican primary.
Florida House August races to watch
In the Florida House, one incumbent Democrat in North Florida and eight incumbent Democrats in South Florida were reelected without opposition.
In Central Florida, there are two universal primaries with Democratic candidates, both in Orange County. Incumbent State Rep. Bruce Antone is facing a challenge from Jane’t Buford Johnson in Florida House District 41.
In District 44, incumbent State Rep. Rita Harris is being challenged by former State Rep. Daisy Morales. Harris unseated Morales in 2022 with the backing of local party leaders who were concerned about some of Morales’ votes in the Legislature. Morales is positing herself as an independent voice for the district.
Incumbent State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin faces a Republican challenger for House District 24, representing part of Marion County.
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In Brevard County, retiring State Sen. Debbie Mayfield is running for House District 32 and facing a Republican primary challenge from former Congressman Dave Welcon. Florida House District 33 is an open seat with a Democratic and a Republican primary.
There is a Republican primary in Florida House District 35, representing Orange and Osceola counties. Osceola County School Board Member Erika Booth and Laura Gomez McAdams are running in that race. Booth lost the seat in a special election back in January to the incumbent, State Rep. Tom Keen, who was able to flip the district from Republican to Democrat.
In Florida House District 37, representing Seminole and Orange counties, State Rep. Susan Plasencia is facing a Republican primary challenge from Derrick Allen Brantley.
There will also be a Democratic primary for House District 47, with the winner hoping to face incumbent State Rep. Paul Stark in November.
To see the full list of qualified candidates, head to the Florida Division of Elections website.
You can look up which districts you live in by going to your county supervisor of elections website.