Florida 2016 General Election Recap
Nov 9, 2016
Given the results of the General Election yesterday, November 8, the 2016 Election Cycle brought resounding success to the Republican Party on various levels and branches of Government. Republicans gained control of the White House, as well as maintained control of the U.S. House and Senate. In Florida, they maintained control of both chambers in the Florida Legislature.
President
The 2016 Presidential Race lived up to its consistent unpredictability with Americans electing the “anti-establishment” candidate Donald Trump as the nation’s 45th President. He surprised pollsters by winning a number of key states such as North Carolina, Florida and Ohio.
Florida preserved its volatile reputation with a remarkably close race until the final moments of the evening. Even though the western part of the state holds elections in the Central Time Zone, The Associated Press did not declare Mr. Trump as Florida’s winner until 10:50 p.m.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton’s campaign notified Trump campaign headquarters around 2 a.m. this morning that no address from Mrs. Clinton would be forthcoming overnight. Shortly after, Donald Trump won Pennsylvania, ultimately reaching 274 electoral votes.
At 2:30 am, The Associated Press announced that Mr. Trump was elected President of the United States. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Clinton called Mr. Trump to concede.
U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate will sustain a Republican Majority with 51 Republicans and 47 Democrats with two seats still undecided. Congressman Patrick Murphy (D) entered the U.S. Senate race prior to the conclusion of the Presidential Primary.
After losing the Primary, incumbent Republican Marco Rubio chose to seek re-election for his Senate seat, which didn’t deter Mr. Murphy from staying in the race. Senator Rubio, who has now defeated Mr. Murphy, will continue to represent the State of Florida in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. House
Republicans will maintain their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Chamber will comprise 235 Republicans and 191 Democrats, with 9 seats undecided.
The Florida Congressional races include five “flipped” U.S. House seats. The Florida party turnovers include two flipped Democratic seats and three flipped Republican seats.
In the 2nd Congressional District, the Republicans picked up a seat with Neal Dunn. Republican candidate Brian Mast defeated Randy Perkins (D) in the 18th District.
The three Democratic flipped seats include Stephanie Murphy (D), who defeated incumbent John Mica (R) in the 7th Congressional District; Val Demings (D) in District 10, and Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist (D), who defeated incumbent David Jolly (R) in District 13.
In Congressional District 3, Republican Ted Yoho defeated Ken McGurn.
Despite a close race against Joe Garcia (D), incumbent Carlos Curbelo (R) will continue to represent the 26th Congressional District. Additionally, there are a number of familiar names joining the Florida Congressional Delegation, including former State Representative Matt Gaetz (R), former Florida Senator Darren Soto (D) and former Florida Senator Al Lawson (D).
Florida Senate
The Florida Supreme Court determined that the state Senate districts and the Congressional districts were unconstitutionally re-apportioned in 2012. The Florida Legislature failed to agree on re-apportioned maps, leaving the responsibility to the courts to redraw them. The resulting newly drawn districts meant all Congressional districts and state Senate seats would be contested in 2016.
Based on history, redrawn districts and the political climate, it was projected that Democrats had an advantage in yesterday’s General Election, with expectations of their securing a number of Republican seats. However, the Senate Republicans maintained a 25-15 majority for the 2016-2018 term.
There was a substantial number of former Florida House Members in the Florida Senate races. State Representative Keith Perry (R) defeated Democrat Rod Smith in Senate District 8; former Florida House Majority Leader Dana Young defeated Bob Buesing (D) in Senate District 18; former State Representative Greg Steube (R) will represent District 23; State Representative Frank Artiles (R) defeated Senator Dwight Bullard (D) in District 40; and former State Representative Jose Javier Rodrigues (D) defeated incumbent Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R) in District 37.
Florida House of Representatives
The “Trump Effect” made for an irregular election cycle, but ultimately, Mr. Trump’s victory in Florida proved to be advantageous to Republicans in retaining a majority in the Florida House. Several incumbents were challenged with viable general races, but prevailed. The 2016-2018 Florida House of Representatives now has 79 Republicans and 41 Democrats.
Central Florida voters re-elected Republican incumbents Mike Miller and Bob Cortes. Additional Republican incumbents who prevailed notwithstanding competitive races include: Shawn Harrison (District 63), Kathleen Peters (District 69), Manny Diaz (District 103), Carlos Trujillo (District 105), Michael Bileca (115) and Holly Raschein (District 120).
Constitutional Amendments
Floridians voted on four Constitutional Amendments yesterday. In order for an Amendment to pass, it must be approved by 60 percent of voters.
Passed
Amendment 2 will legalize the use of medical marijuana for persons with specified conditions or diseases
- This citizens’ initiative was on the ballot in 2014, but failed to gain enough support at that time. Yesterday, it passed overwhelmingly.
The Florida Legislature’s referred Constitutional Amendment 3 also passed, which provides a property tax exemption for First Responders who have been totally and permanently disabled while on the job.
Amendment 5, which will revise homestead exemption for low income seniors also passed. Referred by the Florida Legislature, this also received tremendous support from voters.
Failed
Amendment 1, a controversial proposal relating to solar power, also failed to gain the required 60 percent support.
Judicial Retention
Florida Supreme Court
Florida voters chose to keep all three Florida Supreme Court Justices on the ballot who were up for a merit retention vote. They are Charles T Canady, Jorge Labarga and Ricky L. Polston.
District Court of Appeals Justices
Various District Court of Appeals judges were also retained. Those include: Ross Bilbrey, Susan Kelsey, Lori S. Rowe, Kent Wetherell, Bo Winokur and Jim Wolf, among others.
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