Florida noticed Republican incumbents Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio obtain straightforward victories in extremely watched races, thanks in no small half to a number of South Florida counties voting for the GOP in far better numbers than in years previous.
The change was most notably felt in traditionally blue Miami-Dade County, which flipped DeSantis’ means – the primary time in 20 years the county went for a Republican governor. As of early Wednesday morning, state knowledge had DeSantis successful 55.3% of the votes in Miami-Dade to 44% for Democrat Charlie Crist. Compare that to 2018, when DeSantis acquired trounced in that county by Democrat Andrew Gillum by a margin of greater than 20 factors. Rubio additionally carried the county over Democrat Rep. Val Demings after dropping it by greater than 11 factors in 2016.
“It’s great to be here gathered in the red county of Miami-Dade!” Rubio declared firstly of his victory speech Tuesday night.
Even South Florida counties the place Republicans didn’t fare as effectively had been much better for the GOP than that they had been in latest previous elections. In blue Broward County, DeSantis drew 41.9% to Crist’s 57.4%. While this isn’t precisely shut, it’s a lot nearer than the practically 37-point loss he suffered there in 2018.Â
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Similarly, Rubio misplaced Broward by greater than 29 factors in his 2016 race towards Patrick Murphy, and as of early Wednesday, he was down slightly below 20 factors to Demings there, in accordance to state information.
Palm Beach County is extra encouraging for Republicans, having gone from heavy blue in recent times to a strong purple in 2022. In Rubio’s 2016 race, he misplaced there by 9.5 factors, however this yr he trails Demings by lower than a degree. When DeSantis ran for his first time period in 2018, he misplaced Palm Beach by greater than 17 factors, and this yr, he received it by practically three factors.Â
Overall, the victories for Rubio and DeSantis inform a better story for the GOP within the Sunshine State.
Sen. Marco Rubio delivers a victory speech in Miami after being projected because the winner within the Senate race towards Democratic challenger Rep. Val Demings on Nov. 8, 2022. (Ronn Blitzer/Fox News)
(Fox News)
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Rubio’s victory got here regardless of being out-fundraised and outspent by Demings by a large margin.Â
“I’m fine with that,” Rubio stated Tuesday night. “I’m 100% fine because I knew that no amount of money – no amount of money was going to convince people who escaped Marxism and socialism that America should embrace Marxism and socialism.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis provides a victory speech after defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist whereas his spouse Casey DeSantis seems to be on throughout his election night time watch occasion.
The governor’s virtually 20-point victory is considerably better than even former Gov. Jeb Bush’s resounding 13-point re-election victory in 2002.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support of the people of Florida, we not only won election, we have re-written the political map,” Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed at his Election Night victory celebration. “Thank you for honoring us with a win for the ages.”
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Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.