Florida election results: See who won in some of the Sunshine State's biggest races

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·2 min read
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Voters across the country took to the polls Tuesday, with Democrats landing big wins for abortion rights in Ohio and the governor's seat in Kentucky.

Republicans also held strong in Mississippi, when Brandon Presley, Democratic candidate and second-cousin to Elvis Presley, failed to grab the seat from Republican incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves.

The Sunshine State also saw voters at the polls Tuesday. Election Day in Florida fell on the eve of the third Republican presidential primary debate, which is scheduled for Wednesday evening in Miami.

Here are the unofficial results from some of the biggest races in Florida's 2023 off-year election:

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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer wins reelection

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 26: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors June 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dyer spoke about the mass shooting that killed 49 people in his city.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 26: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors June 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dyer spoke about the mass shooting that killed 49 people in his city.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer held off three challengers in the race for Orlando Mayor. as reported by WESH 2. He has held the seat since 2003, longer than any other mayor in the city's history. He has said this will be he last term.

Dyer defeated the following candidates in the race:

  • Sam Ings, retired Orlando Police Department Captain and former Orlando city commissioner

  • Tony Vargas, business owner and fitness trainer

  • Steve Dixon, former marine and defense industry executive

Erika Booth and Tom Keen win party primaries for Florida House District 35 special election

Florida House District 35 covers the Orlando area, including most of Osceola County and east Orange County.

The seat was won handily in 2022 by Republican Fred Hawkins, who stepped down in June to become the president of South Florida State College.

Rep. Fred Hawkins stands for the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening day of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Rep. Fred Hawkins stands for the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening day of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

This special election was the primary, with voters scheduled to decide on their new representative on Jan. 16, 2024.

WESH 2 called the results: Erika Booth won the Republican primary. She is a former school employee and member of the Osceola County School Board. Tom Keen won the Democratic primary. He is a Navy veteran and businessman.

Miami Beach mayoral race headed to a runoff

Two candidates will head to a runoff in the race for Miami Beach mayor. Miami Beach is a barrier island to Miami with a population of approximately 80,000.

None of the four candidates received 50% plus one of the vote. The two front-runners will head to a runoff for the role.

Michael Gongora and Steven Meiner, both former Miami Beach city commissioners, will face one another off in the runoff in two weeks, the Miami Herald reported.

Contributing: C.A. Bridges

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida election results: See who won Orlando mayor, House District 35