Tuesday’s primaries in Florida, New York and Oklahoma provided some major wins for the Republican Party and give a sneak peek into a possible red wave this November. But there were signs that may portend challenges for the GOP. (RELATED: Republicans Lose Special Election in Bellwether District – Underperform Elsewhere)
Former President Trump touted his success late Tuesday evening boasting he went “26-0,” a tongue-in-cheek statement that may have included his sarcastic “endorsements” of Democrats.
“Looks like a fantastic evening of ALL WINS – Great Candidates!!!” Trump wrote Tuesday evening on Truth Social.
Trump later said, “26 and 0 tonight, turning numerous tight races into big and easy wins. Overall for last 4 years, 98.4% on Endorsements!”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will face off against Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist in November after he managed to defeat Nikki Fried during Tuesday’s primaries.
The now Democrat previously served as Florida’s governor as a Republican until 2011, when he lost a bid for Senate in 2010 running as an independent — after losing the GOP primary to Marco Rubio. In 2014, Crist unsuccessfully ran for governor as a Democrat but was later elected to represent Florida’s 13th Congressional District in 2017.
Looking towards Florida’s Senate race, former Orlando Police Chief and Rep. Val Demings (D) managed to fend off opponents and will go toe to toe with Marc Rubio this fall. The race is expected to lean Republican, and Rubio has consistently polled ahead of Demings in most surveys. However, that’s no reason to get overly comfortable, as many experts have cautioned the race will likely be close. Demings even led Rubio by 4 percentage points in a recent poll commissioned by the University of North Florida.
Trump-endorsed candidate Anna Paulina Luna won the Republican Primary for Florida’s 13th District, the seat was formerly held by Charlie Crist who ultimately opted to run for governor.
In New York’s 12th Congressional District, Jerry Nadler blew past Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. The chairs of the House Oversight and Reform Committee and House Judiciary Committee each faced an intense battle after redistricting pitted the two New York City heavyweights against one another.
Maloney’s defeat means gun manufacturers can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the soon-to-be-former congresswoman has gained notoriety as a congressional gun grabber.
Daniel Goldman, who was lead counsel for Democrats during President Trump’s first impeachment, vanquished his more progressive opponents, State Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou and Rep. Mondaire Jones. Progressives attempted to label Goldman as a “conservative Democrat,” however it seems New Yorkers were more inclined to go for the relative moderation option.
New York’s 19th District held a special election. The seat has been viewed as a bellwether for what issues matter most to voters in midterms. Marc Molinaro (R) focused on the economy and crime while Pat Ryan (D) focused on abortion. CNN and ABC called the race shortly before 11:55 p.m. for Ryan.
Democrats are likely to tout Ryan’s win as a positive sign going into the midterms in what is expected to be a tough year for the party.
In Oklahoma, Trump-backed Markwayne Mullin won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and will face former Rep. Kendra Horn (D) in November to see who will replace retiring Sen. Jim Inhofe. Also in the Sooner State, Madison Horn won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and will face an uphill battle against incumbent Republican James Lankford in November.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel celebrated the GOP’s primary victories in a statement.
“Congratulations to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Marco Rubio, and the entirety of the GOP ticket in the Sunshine State. Republicans are committed to keeping Florida the state for freedom and opportunity, all the while standing up to the Democrats’ woke, anti-family agenda.”
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Charlie Crist was a horrible Governor. He did nothing except shake hands and kiss babies. DeSantis is so far above you!!