Florida Primary Delivers Major Victories for Familiar South Florida Leaders
Florida’s 2026 primary election reshaped several key races Tuesday night, producing victories for experienced public officials, a longtime journalist and a veteran attorney seeking a place on the bench.
Among the night’s most closely watched winners were Oliver Gilbert III, Renee Gordon, Eliott Rodriguez, Ashley Gantt, James Bush III, Annette Taddeo and Byron Donalds.
Nixon Scores Upset Victory in U.S. Senate Primary
State Rep. Angie Nixon delivered one of Florida’s biggest primary-night surprises, defeating retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman for the Democratic nomination in the state’s special U.S. Senate election.
Nixon received 690,172 votes, or 55.9%, while Vindman received 543,688 votes, or 44.1%, according to the statewide results.
Her victory was especially notable because Vindman entered the race with national recognition and a substantial fundraising advantage. Nixon relied on progressive support and a grassroots campaign focused on affordability, health care, housing, education, workers’ rights and economic inequality.
Nixon, a Jacksonville-area legislator and community organizer, will face Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody in the November 3 general election. Moody was appointed to the Senate following Marco Rubio’s resignation to become U.S. secretary of state. The winner will complete the remainder of Rubio’s term through 2028.
If elected, Nixon would become the first Black person—and the first Black woman—to represent Florida in the United States Senate.
Gilbert Emerges From Crowded Congressional Field
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III won the seven-candidate Democratic primary for Florida’s 24th Congressional District, the seat being vacated by retiring Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
Gilbert received 35.07% of the vote, finishing ahead of State Sen. Shevrin Jones, who received 29.47%. Former Congressman Kendrick Meek finished third with nearly 18%.
Gilbert’s victory is significant because District 24 has long been represented by a Black elected official and includes communities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. His win places him in a strong position to continue that representation in Congress.
Jones conceded Tuesday night and congratulated Gilbert on securing the Democratic nomination. Gilbert will now advance to the November 3 general election.
Rodriguez Advances to Face Salazar
Former CBS News Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez won the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
Rodriguez received 53.51% of the vote, defeating former prosecutor Robin Peguero, who received 46.49%. Rodriguez will now face Republican incumbent María Elvira Salazar in November.
After spending decades reporting on South Florida’s government, politics and communities, Rodriguez will enter the general election as a first-time political candidate seeking to represent a district that includes Miami, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, Kendall and surrounding communities.
The race is expected to attract considerable attention as Rodriguez attempts to turn his broad name recognition and community familiarity into a successful challenge against an established incumbent.
Jolly Wins Democratic Nomination for Governor
Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly won the Democratic nomination for governor, earning approximately 61% of the statewide vote in the six-candidate primary.
Jolly, a former Republican who represented the Tampa Bay area in Congress, defeated Dayna Foster, Dotie Joseph, Evelyn Castillo-Bach, Thomas Fernandez and Stephann Norman. He will face Republican nominee Byron Donalds in the November 3 general election.
The matchup offers voters two candidates with congressional experience but sharply different political paths and visions for Florida. Donalds is a prominent conservative and ally of President Donald Trump, while Jolly left the Republican Party and has positioned himself as a centrist alternative focused on affordability, government accountability and moving Florida beyond divisive political battles.
Jolly is seeking to become Florida’s first Democratic governor in more than three decades. Donalds, meanwhile, could become the state’s first Black governor.
The November contest will determine who succeeds term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis and is expected to center on Florida’s rising cost of living, property insurance, housing affordability, education and the future direction of the state.
Donalds Wins Republican Nomination for Governor
In the night’s most prominent statewide Republican contest, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds won the GOP nomination for governor.
Donalds captured approximately 47.8% of the vote in a crowded field that included Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and several other Republican candidates. He will face Democratic nominee David Jolly in the November general election.
If elected, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor. His victory also demonstrated the continued influence of President Donald Trump’s endorsement among Florida Republican voters.
Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became a Democrat, won his party’s nomination with approximately 61% of the vote. The Donalds-Jolly contest will now become the centerpiece of Florida’s general election as voters choose a successor to term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Taddeo Wins Statewide Democratic Nomination
Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo won the Democratic nomination for Florida’s chief financial officer.
Statewide, Taddeo received approximately 65.6% of the vote, defeating Earle Ford. She will face Republican incumbent Blaise Ingoglia in November.
The chief financial officer oversees Florida’s financial operations and also serves as the state fire marshal. Taddeo has emphasized accountability, transparency and stronger oversight of state spending during her campaign.
Her nomination gives Democrats a well-known South Florida candidate with experience in business, the Legislature and statewide campaigns.
Gantt Wins Senate District 34 Nomination
State Rep. Ashley Gantt delivered a commanding victory in the Democratic primary for Florida Senate District 34.
Gantt received 26,397 votes, or 62.56%. Shannan Ighodaro finished second with 20.84%, while Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo received 16.60%.
The district includes Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka and surrounding communities. Gantt entered the race after Sen. Shevrin Jones decided to pursue the open congressional seat.
Gantt will face Republican Elizabeth Jeanty in the November general election, setting up a contest between two Black women seeking to represent one of South Florida’s most diverse districts.
Bush Moves Closer to a Return to Tallahassee
Former state Rep. James Bush III won the four-candidate Democratic primary for Florida House District 109.
Bush received 6,673 votes, or 49.22%, finishing ahead of Opa-locka Mayor John H. Taylor Jr., who earned 32.07%. Satin Fye received 10.18%, while Broadway Harewood received 8.53%.
Bush previously represented the district before losing the seat to Ashley Gantt. With Gantt now running for the Florida Senate, Bush’s primary victory places the veteran lawmaker in position to return to the Florida House.
District 109 includes Miami Gardens, Opa-locka and neighboring communities and is considered strongly Democratic.
Gordon Wins Decisively in Judicial Race
Renee Gordon earned one of the night’s most decisive local victories, winning the race for 11th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, Group 35.
Gordon received 141,821 votes, or 63.11%, compared with 82,901 votes, or 36.89%, for Cristobal David Padron. Because the nonpartisan race included only two candidates, Gordon’s majority victory secured the seat being vacated by retiring Judge Orlando Prescott.
An assistant public defender with approximately three decades of courtroom experience, Gordon campaigned on fairness, preparation and an understanding of how judicial decisions affect individuals, families and communities.
Her victory represents another important step toward ensuring that Miami-Dade’s judiciary reflects the diversity and lived experiences of the residents it serves.
Cohen Higgins Wins Reelection in County Commission District 8
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins secured another term representing District 8 with a decisive primary election victory.
Cohen Higgins received 10,292 votes, or 55.09%, surpassing the 50% threshold needed to avoid a November runoff. John Edward DuBois finished second with 28.14%, while Martha “Vega” Hero received 16.77%.
Her victory allows her to continue representing the southern Miami-Dade district, which includes Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Homestead and portions of unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
Cohen Higgins’ campaign emphasized her record on affordable housing, infrastructure, environmental protection, public safety and economic development. By winning a majority in the three-candidate contest, she secured the seat outright.
Wilson Leads School Board Race, Advances to Runoff
Katrina Wilson emerged as the leading candidate in the crowded special election for the Miami-Dade County School Board District 1 seat.
Wilson received 9,955 votes, or 32.70%, finishing first among seven candidates. Linda Cothiere placed second with 6,384 votes, or 20.97%, while Joy Jackson finished closely behind with 19.16%.
Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, Wilson and Cothiere will advance to a runoff in the November 3 general election. The November contest will require both candidates to appeal to voters who supported the five other candidates during the primary.
District 1 encompasses portions of northern Miami-Dade County, including communities in and around Miami Gardens, Opa-locka and North Miami. The winner will help shape policies affecting students, families, teachers and public schools across the district.
Meet the Candidates on September 30
As attention turns to the November general election, The Culture News is creating an opportunity for voters to hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent their communities.
Join us for Meet the Candidates on Wednesday, September 30, at Second Baptist Church. The Culture News will be front and center, helping voters learn more about the candidates who will appear on the November ballot, where they stand on the issues and how their leadership could affect our communities.
The primary determined who advanced. Now, voters must determine who will lead. Save the date, bring your questions and join us for a meaningful conversation before casting your ballot in November.
