Mike Haridopolos

Florida's primaries produced a mixed picture for both parties ahead of November's general election. Rep. Byron Donalds won the Republican gubernatorial nomination with Trump's endorsement and a large financial edge, beating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former House Speaker Paul Renner and newcomer James Fishback despite Gov. Ron DeSantis's public misgivings; Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor if elected. Former Republican congressman David Jolly, running with Gwen Graham as his lieutenant governor pick, won the Democratic nomination over state Rep. Dotie Joseph and others, pitching himself as a centrist who wants to end the culture wars. The two will meet in November to succeed the term-limited DeSantis, in a state where Democrats haven't won the governorship in over 30 years.

Progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon defeated establishment-backed Alex Vindman for the Senate Democratic nomination despite being outspent; she faces Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, who won her primary with Trump's backing, in the special election for Marco Rubio's former seat. Incumbents Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz turned back challengers, including Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, in redrawn districts under Florida's new Republican-favored congressional map. Trump-endorsed Cory Mills lost his House primary amid domestic violence allegations, while far-right figures Dan Bilzerian and Madison Cawthorn were also defeated, alongside Rep. Randy Fine's contentious win.

Florida GOP Rep. Cory Mills is running for reelection while under House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations he assaulted a former girlfriend and violated campaign finance laws. Mills denies wrongdoing. Though he touts a Trump endorsement from February, Trump did not include Mills in a recent wave of primary endorsements, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he does not support Mills.

Mills faces GOP challengers Ryan Elijah, who has been endorsed by Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, along with Sarah Ulrich and Michael Don Johnson. His central Florida 7th District seat, which he has won twice, was left unchanged in the state's May redistricting.

The controversy has shifted the race's outlook: Cook Political Report moved the district from "solid red" to "likely red." Democrats see an opening, backing Navy veteran Bale Dalton through the DCCC, while former Rep. Alan Grayson is also running. Voter sentiment in the district is split over whether Mills' record outweighs his perceived effectiveness.

Florida Rep. Cory Mills lost his Republican primary in the state's 7th Congressional District to former TV anchor Ryan Elijah, ending his bid for a third term. Mills's campaign was marked by allegations of sexual misconduct, a court injunction from a former girlfriend, a House Ethics Committee investigation into misconduct and campaign finance claims, and questions about his military record. President Trump had given Mills his "Complete and Total Endorsement" in February, but later distanced himself by excluding Mills from a round of congressional endorsements. Florida incumbents Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, backed Elijah instead.

Elijah will face Democrat and military veteran Bale Dalton in November. The district is expected to remain Republican-leaning under Florida's newly redrawn congressional map, though analysts note the race could factor into broader midterm dynamics as Democrats are currently favored to retake the House majority.