WASHINGTON, D.C. – There were a few surprising victories in Tuesday’s primaries in Florida, Wyoming and Alaska.
In President Donald Trump’s adopted home state of Florida, they could elect their state’s first Black governor.
“Let’s go beat David Jolly in November,” Republican Gubernatorial Candidate, Byron Donalds told a crowd after he secured his party’s nomination Tuesday.
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who was endorsed by President Trump could replace outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. Donalds will face David Jolly, an attorney and former Florida congressman, for the state’s top spot in November. Before the primary, the Cook Political Report rated the governor’s race as solidly Republican.
In a major upset, Democratic progressive state lawmaker Angie Nixon defeated retired Army Lt. Colonel Alex Vindman to secure the Democratic nomination for the US Senate race against Republican Senator Ashley Moody. It’s another win for progressives that have won key congressional primary races in New York City, Michigan and Colorado.
“Together we went up against the political establishment, against millions of dollars out of sight spending,” said Nixon to a crowd following her primary victory. “We were outspent 16 to one and we won.”
After Florida redrew the congressional lines, moderate incumbent Democrat Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D- FL) won the nomination over a Democratic Socialist for reelection in a new Republican-friendly district.
While many Democratic incumbents won their races in Florida, Republican Congressman Cory Mills (R- FL) lost. He faced a series of scandals including allegations of domestic abuse. On Truth Social, Trump said he told mills to get out of the race but that “he wouldn’t listen”.
Up in the Last Frontier, Alaska, voters had to double check the name on their ballots. Incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan (R- AK) was facing another Dan Sullivan as a challenger. Republicans claimed the non-incumbent Sullivan as trying to stir confusion. That Sullivan has denied those claims. The incumbent Sen. Sullivan will face former Alaska Representative Mary Peltola in November. It will be a closely watched race to fight for control of the Senate.
President Trump boasted on social media that his endorsed candidates did well in Tuesdays primaries but a Wyoming state senator won the Republican nomination for the Governor’s race, beating a Trump-backed candidate.
