2018_Florida_Senate_election
In the elections to the Florida State Senate that were held on November 6, 2018, 20 of the 40 seats were contested in regular elections and two seats in special elections. The winners of the 20 regular elections will serve four year terms from November 6, 2018, to November 6, 2022, and the winners of the two special elections will serve two year terms from November 6, 2018, to November 6, 2020.
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22 of the 40 seats in the Florida Senate (and 2 special elections) 21 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic gain Republican hold Democratic hold No election | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Statewide
| Vacant | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | ||||
| Last election (2016) | 25 | 15 | 0 | 40 | |
| Before these elections | 22 | 16 | 0 | 40 | |
| Not up | 8 | 10 | 0 | 18 | |
| Odd (2016→2020) | 8 | 10 | 0 | 18 | |
| Up | 14 | 6 | 2 | 22 | |
| Even (2018→2022) | 14 | 6 | 0 | 20 | |
| Special: Odd | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Result | 23 | 17 | 0 | 40 | |
Retiring Incumbents
(There were no Democrats term limited from their seats)
- Dorothy Hukill District 14 (Retiring, later deceased)
- Jack Latvala District 16 (term limited, resigned due to sexual harassment allegations)
- Greg Steube District 23 (retiring, ran for CD-17)
- Joe Negron District 25 (term limited)
- Denise Grimsley District 26 (retiring, ran for Agricultural Commissioner
- Rene Garcia District 36 (term limited)
Districts
| District | Republican | Democratic | Others | Total | Margin | Result [1] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
| District 2 | 149,157 | 75.3 | 48,979 | 24.7 | - | - | 198,136 | 100,178 | 50.6 | REP Hold |
| District 4 | 149,347 | 63.4 | 80,598 | 34.2 | 5,514 | 2.3 | 235,459 | 68,749 | 29.2 | REP Hold |
| District 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DEM Hold |
| District 8 | 100,690 | 49.4 | 98,692 | 48.4 | 4,319 | 2.1 | 203,701 | 1,998 | 1.0 | REP Hold |
| District 10 | 147,601 | 65.0 | 79,349 | 35.0 | - | - | 226,950 | 68,252 | 30.1 | REP Hold |
| District 12 | 172,776 | 65.3 | 91,765 | 34.7 | 21 | 0.0 | 264,562 | 81,011 | 30.6 | REP Hold |
| District 14 | 124,055 | 56.3 | 96,161 | 43.7 | - | - | 220,216 | 27,894 | 12.7 | REP Hold |
| District 16 | 111,997 | 52.2 | 102,407 | 47.8 | - | - | 214,404 | 9,590 | 4.5 | REP Hold |
| District 18 | 103,667 | 49.9 | 104,078 | 50.1 | - | - | 207,745 | 411 | 0.2 | DEM Gain |
| District 20 | 101,021 | 53.5 | 87,863 | 46.5 | - | - | 188,884 | 13,158 | 7.0 | REP Hold |
| District 22 | 105,575 | 52.8 | 94,295 | 47.2 | - | - | 199,870 | 11,280 | 5.6 | REP Hold |
| District 23 | 143,346 | 56.5 | 110,587 | 43.4 | - | - | 253,933 | 32,759 | 12.9 | REP Gain |
| District 24 | 116,415 | 54.3 | 98,104 | 45.7 | - | - | 214,519 | 18,311 | 8.5 | REP Hold |
| District 25 | 117,056 | 54.3 | 98,417 | 45.7 | - | - | 215,473 | 18,639 | 8.7 | REP Gain |
| District 26 | 117,979 | 65.1 | 63,253 | 34.9 | - | - | 181,232 | 54,726 | 30.2 | REP Hold |
| District 28 | 138,293 | 64.5 | 73,000 | 34.5 | - | - | 211,293 | 65,293 | 30.9 | REP Hold |
| District 30 | - | - | 132,241 | 99.7 | 385 | 0.3 | 132,626 | 131,858 | 99.4 | DEM Hold |
| District 32 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DEM Hold |
| District 34 | - | - | 124,578 | 100.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 124,578 | 124,578 | 100.0 | DEM Hold |
| District 36 | 66,361 | 54.1 | 56,395 | 45.9 | - | - | 122,756 | 9,966 | 8.1 | REP Hold |
| District 38 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DEM Hold |
| District 40 | 79,068 | 46.5 | 90,924 | 53.5 | - | - | 169,992 | 11,856 | 7.0 | DEM Hold |
Closest races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 18, 0.2% gain
- District 8, 1%
- District 16, 4.4%
- District 22, 5.6%
- District 40, 7%
- District 20, 7%
- District 36, 8.2%
- District 24, 8.6%
- District 25, 8.6%
District 2 consists of Bay, Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington, and part of Okaloosa counties. Incumbent George Gainer was re-elected by a margin of 51 percent.
Republican primary
Incumbent George Gainer won the primary unopposed.
Democratic primary
Attorney Gigi Gibson won the primary unopposed.
General election
Predictions
MCI Maps gave the second district a rating of "Safe GOP".[2]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | George Gainer (incumbent) | 149,157 | 75.3 | |
| Democratic | "Gigi" Gibson | 48,979 | 24.7 | |
| Majority | 100,178 | 50.6 | ||
| Total votes | 198,136 | 100.0 | ||
District 4 consists of Nassau and part of Duval counties. Incumbent Aaron Bean was re-elected by a margin of 29 percent.
Republican primary
Incumbent Republican Aaron Bean defeated challenger Carlos E. Slay in the Republican primary by a margin of 75 percent.
Candidates
- Aaron Bean, incumbent Florida Senator since 2012
- Carlos E. Slay, former Nassau County tax collector candidate[3]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Aaron Bean (incumbent) | 50,275 | 87.4 | |
| Republican | Carlos E. Slay | 7,274 | 12.6 | |
| Majority | 43,001 | 74.7 | ||
| Total votes | 57,549 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Aaron Bean (incumbent) | 149,347 | 63.4 | |
| Democratic | Billee Bussard | 80,598 | 34.2 | |
| Libertarian | Joanna Liberty Tavares | 5,514 | 2.3 | |
| Majority | 68,749 | 29.2 | ||
| Total votes | 235,459 | 100.0 | ||
District 6 consists of part of Duval county. Incumbent Audrey Gibson was re-elected unopposed.
District 8 consists of Alachua, Putnam, and part of Marion counties. Incumbent Keith Perry was re-elected by a margin of one percent.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Keith Perry (incumbent) | 100,690 | 49.4 | |
| Democratic | Kayser Enneking | 98,692 | 48.4 | |
| Independent | Charles E. Goston | 4,319 | 2.1 | |
| Majority | 1,998 | 1.0 | ||
| Total votes | 203,701 | 100.0 | ||
District 10 consists of Citrus, Hernando and part of Pasco counties. Incumbent Wilton Simpson was re-elected by a margin of 30 percent.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Wilton Simpson (incumbent) | 147,601 | 65.0 | |
| Democratic | Michael Cottrell | 79,349 | 35.0 | |
| Majority | 68,252 | 30.1 | ||
| Total votes | 226,950 | 100.0 | ||
District 12 consists of Sumter, and parts of Lake, and Marion counties. Incumbent Dennis Baxley was re-elected by a margin of 31 percent.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Baxley (incumbent) | 172,776 | 65.3 | |
| Democratic | Gary McKechnie | 91,765 | 34.7 | |
| Write-in | Kay Gray | 21 | 0.0 | |
| Majority | 81,011 | 30.6 | ||
| Total votes | 264,562 | 100.0 | ||
District 14 consists of parts of Brevard and Volusia counties. Incumbent state senator Dorothy Hukill, Republican, died in October 2018 due to cervical cancer. As her name was already printed on ballots, votes cast for her were counted for Tom A. Wright, the Republican nominee, who won the election by a margin of 13 percent.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom A. Wright | 124,055 | 56.3 | |
| Democratic | "Mel" Martin | 96,161 | 43.7 | |
| Majority | 27,894 | 12.7 | ||
| Total votes | 220,216 | 100.0 | ||
District 16 consists of parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ed Hooper, former Florida Representative and Deputy Whip from 2006 to 2014[4]
- Leo Karruli, entrepreneur[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Hooper | 35,303 | 79.4 | |
| Republican | Leo Karruli | 9,141 | 20.6 | |
| Majority | 26,162 | 58.9 | ||
| Total votes | 44,444 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Hooper | 111,997 | 52.2 | |
| Democratic | Amanda Murphy | 102,407 | 47.8 | |
| Majority | 9,590 | 4.5 | ||
| Total votes | 214,404 | 100.0 | ||
District 18 consists of part of Hillsborough county.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janet Cruz | 104,078 | 50.1 | |
| Republican | Dana Young (incumbent) | 103,667 | 49.9 | |
| Majority | 411 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 207,745 | 100.0 | ||
District 20 consists of parts of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Tom Lee, incumbent Senator since 2012 and from 1996 to 2006, former Senate President from 2004 to 2006
- John Manners Houman, Republican nominee for Florida Senate in 2016
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Lee (incumbent) | 30,397 | 84.9 | |
| Republican | John Manners Houman | 5,422 | 15.1 | |
| Majority | 13,158 | 69.7 | ||
| Total votes | 35,819 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Lee (incumbent) | 101,021 | 53.5 | |
| Democratic | Kathy Lewis | 87,863 | 46.5 | |
| Majority | 13,158 | 7.0 | ||
| Total votes | 188,884 | 100.0 | ||
District 22 consists of parts of Lake and Polk counties.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kelli Stargel (incumbent) | 105,575 | 52.8 | |
| Democratic | Bob Doyel | 94,295 | 47.2 | |
| Majority | 11,280 | 5.6 | ||
| Total votes | 199,870 | 100.0 | ||
District 23 consists of Sarasota and part of Charlotte counties. An election for this district was not scheduled to occur until the 2020 general elections, but a special election was scheduled concurrent with the 2018 general elections due to a vacancy that occurred as a result of the resignation of then-state senator Greg Steube to run for the United States House of Representatives.[2][6]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Gruters | 143,346 | 56.5 | |
| Democratic | Faith Olivia Babis | 110,587 | 43.5 | |
| Majority | 32,759 | 12.9 | ||
| Total votes | 253,933 | 100.0 | ||
District 24 consists of part of Pinellas county.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeff Brandes (incumbent) | 116,415 | 54.3 | |
| Democratic | Lindsay Cross | 98,104 | 45.7 | |
| Majority | 18,311 | 8.5 | ||
| Total votes | 214,519 | 100.0 | ||
District 25 consists of Martin, St. Lucie and part of Palm Beach counties. An election for this district was not scheduled to occur until the 2020 general elections, but a special election was scheduled concurrent with the 2018 general elections due to a vacancy that occurred as a result of the resignation of former Senate President Joe Negron.[2][6]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Gayle Harrell, Florida Representative since 2012
- Belinda Keiser, former member of Florida Constitution Revision Commission, delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention[7]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gayle Harrell | 117,056 | 54.3 | |
| Democratic | Robert Levy | 98,417 | 45.7 | |
| Majority | 18,639 | 8.7 | ||
| Total votes | 215,473 | 100.0 | ||
District 26 consists of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and parts of Charlotte, Lee, and Polk counties.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ben Albritton | 117,979 | 65.1 | |
| Democratic | Catherine Price | 63,253 | 34.9 | |
| Majority | 54,726 | 30.2 | ||
| Total votes | 181,232 | 100.0 | ||
District 28 consists of Collier, Hendry and part of Lee counties.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kathleen Passidomo (incumbent) | 138,293 | 65.5 | |
| Democratic | Annisa Karim | 73,000 | 34.5 | |
| Majority | 65,293 | 30.9 | ||
| Total votes | 211,293 | 100.0 | ||
District 30 consists of part of Palm Beach county.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bobby Powell (incumbent) | 132,241 | 99.7 | |
| Write-in | Josh Santos | 385 | 0.3 | |
| Majority | 131,856 | 99.4 | ||
| Total votes | 132,626 | 100.0 | ||
District 32 consists of part of Broward county. Incumbent Lauren Book was elected unposed both in the primary and general election.
District 34 consists of part of Broward county.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gary Farmer (incumbent) | 124,578 | 100.0 | |
| Write-in | Richard Hal Sturm | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Majority | 124,578 | 100.0 | ||
| Total votes | 124,578 | 100.0 | ||
District 36 consists of part of Miami-Dade county.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Manny Díaz Jr. | 66,361 | 54.1 | |
| Democratic | David Perez | 56,395 | 45.9 | |
| Majority | 9,966 | 8.1 | ||
| Total votes | 122,756 | 100.0 | ||
District 38 consists of part of Miami-Dade county. Democrat Jason Pizzo beat incumbent Daphne Campbell in the democratic primary, 54%-46%. The general election was cancelled meaning Pizzo was the victor of the race.[8]
District 40 consists of part of Miami-Dade county.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Annette Taddeo (incumbent) | 90,924 | 53.5 | |
| Republican | Marili Cancio | 79,068 | 46.5 | |
| Majority | 11,856 | 7.0 | ||
| Total votes | 169,992 | 100.0 | ||
- Florida Department of State (2019). "November 6, 2018 General Election: Official Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- Isbell, Matthew (August 16, 2018). "Florida State Senate Rankings". MCI Maps. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- Gancarski, A. G. (June 22, 2018). "Aaron Bean to face Carlos Slay in GOP primary, then two candidates in general election". Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- "Ed Hooper". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- Perry, Mitch (March 2018). "Restaurateur Leo Karruli files to run for Jack Latvala's Senate seat". Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- The Florida Legislature (January 12, 2019). "Constitution of the State of Florida". www.leg.state.fl.us. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- "Belinda Keiser". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 25, 2019.