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.
Its 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.