Florida’s recent primaries have delivered a setback to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s attempt to retaliate against Republicans who voted for his removal, while also setting up a potentially tight Senate contest between incumbent Rick Scott and former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Primaries in Alaska and Wyoming also clarified key matchups for November, coinciding with the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
McCarthy’s revenge efforts falter as Gaetz retains his seat in Florida’s 1st District
Highlights from Tuesday’s Primaries:
McCarthy’s Retaliation Efforts Falter: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) defeated Aaron Dimmock, a challenger funded by McCarthy and his supporters. Despite McCarthy’s backing, Gaetz held his seat in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, marking another blow to McCarthy’s attempts to exact revenge on GOP colleagues who supported his ouster. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), another critic of McCarthy, also secured her primary win earlier this year, while Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) was successfully ousted.
Senate Race Could Surprise: The Senate race in Florida is shaping up to be more competitive than initially expected. Former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell will challenge incumbent Rick Scott, whose lead has been narrowing according to recent polls. This race could be pivotal for Democrats aiming to retain control of the Senate.
Peltola Eyes Reelection in Alaska: Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska) has advanced from Alaska’s nonpartisan primary, aiming to hold onto the seat she won in a special election in 2022. She will face Republicans Nick Begich and Nancy Dahlstrom in November. Despite the state’s conservative tendencies, Peltola’s previous victory indicates she remains a strong contender.
Democrats Target Florida’s Swing Districts: In Florida’s 13th and 27th Congressional Districts, Democrats Whitney Fox and Lucia Baez-Geller have emerged as challengers to incumbent Republicans. Both districts are seen as potential pickup opportunities for Democrats.
DeSantis-Backed School Board Candidates Struggle: School board candidates endorsed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faced substantial defeats. Of the 23 candidates he supported, 11 lost their races, with more heading to runoffs. This represents a serious setback for DeSantis, who has made education a central issue in his political platform.
