2014 Florida Election Results

 

Prepared by Nicole Graganella, Colodny Fass Legislative Analyst

 

Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) was re-elected to another four-year term last night, November 4, 2014, defeating Democrat Charlie Crist, who served as Florida Governor from 2007 to 2011. 

Floridians also re-elected all current Florida Cabinet members — Pam Bondi (R) as Attorney General, Jeff Atwater (R) as Chief Financial Officer and Adam Putnam (R) as Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Florida House of Representatives Republicans enjoyed an extraordinarily successful election cycle, with the outcome being the attainment of a Supermajority-which now provides the House with the security of a veto-proof Chamber.   Republicans claimed 81 Florida House seats as of last night; the Democratic Party holds 39.

Results of some high-profile Florida House races include:

• Former State Representative Scott Plakon (R) defeated incumbent Mike Clelland (D) to represent District 29.
• In District 30, Bob Cortes (R) defeated incumbent Karen Castor Dentel (D).
• District 47 incumbent Linda Stewart (D) lost to Mike Miller (R).
• Rene Plasencia (R) won District 49, beating incumbent Joe Saunders (D).
• In District 63, Mark Danish (D) lost to Shawn Harrison (R).
• Incumbent Carl Zimmerman (D) in District 65 lost to Chris Sprowls (R).
• District 89 incumbent Bill Hager (R) won a close race over David Ryan Silvers (D).
• Incumbent Jose Javier Rodriguez (D) barely beat Daniel Diaz Leyva (R) to represent District 112.

The balance of power in the Florida Senate will remain the same with 14 Democrats and 26 Republicans.

The Senate’s highest-profile race concluded with a victory from incumbent Maria Sachs (D) over Ellyn Bogdanoff (R) in in Senate District 34.

Senator John Thrasher, who coasted to victory in District 6, is expected to resign from his Senate seat if confirmed as the President of Florida State University this week, which is expected.   As a result, a special election will be called.  At least two Florida House members are expected to run for the vacancy.

 

Florida Constitutional Amendments

Proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution require voter approval of 60 percent to pass.  Statewide ballots featured three proposed amendments during this election cycle.

• Voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 1, which will dedicate 33 percent of net revenues from an existing real estate excise tax on documents to water and land conservation efforts for a period of 20 years. The amendment passed with 75 percent support.

• Amendment 2, which would have legalized medical marijuana in Florida under certain circumstances, failed with support from 57 percent of voters.

• Amendment 3 would have provided outgoing governors with the power to make certain judicial appointments prior to the incoming governor taking office. This amendment failed, with only 48 percent of voters supporting it.

 

Congressional Races

Florida’s 2^nd Congressional District race was remarkably close between Gwen Graham (D) and incumbent Steven Southerland (R).   Ms. Graham, the daughter of former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, emerged the victor by just over 2,000 votes.

Carlos Curbelo (R) defeated incumbent Joe Garcia (D) in Florida’s 26^th Congressional District.

With last night’s results, Republicans have gained control of the U.S. Senate by two seats.  Current Senate seats in Virginia, Alaska and Louisiana are still undecided, with the Louisiana race heading to a run-off in December. 

With 242 seats to the Democrats’ 174, the Republican Party will retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

For complete Florida results, go to:  http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/FederalOffices/Representative/

 

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