Democrats, many from South Florida, win 11 legislative seats. They include Bernard, Daley, Hunschofsky, Skidmore.
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TALLAHASSEE — Eleven candidates, mostly incumbents and many from South Florida, won legislative races Friday as they did not draw opponents before a qualifying deadline, while the Florida Democratic Party hit a goal of having candidates vie for every seat up for election.
Two Democrats — former House members Carlos Guillermo Smith, of Orlando, and Mack Bernard, of West Palm Beach — locked up Senate seats, while nine incumbent House members won additional two-year terms.
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried touted the party fielding a candidate in every race, after Republicans have controlled the House and Senate since the 1990s.
“It’s a record-breaking accomplishment for the Florida Democratic Party and a stark contrast to the party we inherited after 2022 — a party Republicans declared ‘dead’ just one year ago,” Fried said in a prepared statement. “Now, we have the momentum.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power called the Democrats’ effort a “stunt to get attention.”
“While Nikki Fried and the Democrats are focused on a participation trophy, the Florida GOP is dedicated to winning,” Power said in a text.
In the House, the unopposed Democratic incumbents were:
— Yvonne Hinson, of Gainesville.
— Jervonte Edmonds, of West Palm Beach.
— Kelly Skidmore, of Boca Raton.
— Christine Hunschofsky, of Parkland.
— Dan Daley, of Coral Springs.
— Lisa Dunkley, of Sunrise.
— Hillary Cassel, of Dania Beach.
— Felicia Robinson, of Miami Gardens.
— Dotie Joseph, of North Miami.