Florida Primaries Set the Stage for November Elections

The legislative session in Tallahassee, Florida, features the old and new Capitol buildings. In the midst of this session, Florida voters will finalize their selection of Democratic and GOP candidates for the upcoming U.S. House races. This decision follows the redrawing of congressional districts by Florida Republicans, aiming to gain four additional seats.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) has vacated his House seat in pursuit of the governor’s mansion, sparking competition in his solidly Republican district. This district, located in southwest Florida and covering areas like Cape Coral and Naples, has numerous Republican contenders for the primary on August 18.

The lineup includes former Reps. Madison Cawthorn from North Carolina and Chris Collins from New York. Additionally, former Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis, former Illinois congressional candidate Catalina Lauf, and business owner Greg Bukowski are in the race. Other candidates are former New York congressional candidate Ola Hawatmeh, Marine veteran and wrestling coach Mike Pedersen, former researcher Linda Sawyer, and media mogul Jim Schwartzel. John Strand, previously involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident and later pardoned, is also running.

Florida’s Democratic races feature their own set of clashes. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) faces off against former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) in the newly formed 20th Congressional District. This district, located in South Florida, has a significant Black population. The contest sees the unusual scenario of Wasserman Schultz, a white politician, running against Cherfilus-McCormick, a Black former lawmaker.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) is aiming for a third term in a district that has been adjusted to be more conservative following redistricting. Before he can concentrate on his Republican rival, he must deal with Oliver Larkin, a progressive union organizer supported by the Democratic Socialists of America.

The primary polls are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. EDT.